The theme this week for Illustration Friday is ‘Wings’.
Naturally, being me, I had to come up with something a little different, and naturally, being me, an insect came to mind.
This is my interpretation of a crane fly, or Daddy-Long-Legs. Now, as I’m sure all English people know*, crane flies appear every autumn and drift about aimlessly, often getting trapped indoors, where they get tangled up in spider webs. Sometimes they break away, being large insects, and drag bits of web with them. Sometimes they lose a leg or two – or more – because, despite being large insects, they’re quite fragile. They sometimes lose bits of their wings for the same reason.
I drew the basis for this piece of work in a program called Scribbler, then I imported it into iDraw where I cleaned up the edges and the shape of the head and body, added some insect features, and made some adjustments to the legs. Then I added some patches of colour, which I textured using the line tool, and lastly I added a few strands of cobweb.
What I can’t seem to do – being quite new to iDraw – is export the damn thing so I can post it full size, so for now I’ve taken a screenshot and enlarged it, which means it’s not as sharp as I’d like. I’ve got a support ticket in, but who knows when they’ll answer that.
Let me know what you think. Remember this is a learning curve for me and most project will incorporate techniques I’m unfamiliar with, so any constructive criticism is helpful!
* I think I’m right in saying that the insect known as a ‘Daddy-Long-Legs’ is different in the USA.
Jay…I have no constructive criticism because I just love what you do. It’s always interesting; you have a great eye (I say that because it feels good to my eye to look at your work), and it feels honest. When I look at your art, it feels like there is thought or “something” behind it and knowing what I do about you…that fits and feels true. Technically, it’s compelling to me because I really want to look at it and see what you’ve done. When I create my art, I try to convey whimsy and a child’s heart because that’s the “spirit” I feel behind it. I think if an artist stays true to their spirit, the work works (whether someone else likes it or not is another thing completely). I know you are uncomfortable with the term “artist,” but whether you know it or not…that’s what you are. LOVE IT!
Lori – What Remains Now´s last [type] ..BarkBox & doogyLoot
Lori – How kind you are! Thank you so much for your generous comments – I feel quite encouraged!
I had thought about doing birds, but in a kind of abstract, blurry way. However, once I’d thought of a crane fly and those marvellously long, delicate wings, that shimmer with colour in certain lights, I couldn’t do anything else – and I do love insects! If that’s what you mean by being true to your spirit, then yes, I’m sure the art we produce that way is far, far better than trying to please someone else or working to a formula.
I think it’s wonderful, Jay. I love all the color (colour)in the wings and those incredibly long gams (legs). You give the creature life and personality.
To me, he looks like a battle-weary soldier or a battered prizefighter. But what do I know about art? You might have had something entirely different in mind.
Great job!
Rob Lenihan´s last [type] ..Running of the Bull
Rob – That’s exactly how I imagined him; battered and weary. Poor things, that’s how they get, because they’re so fragile and they really don’t fly well.
Thank you so much for you complimentary comment! It’s so encouraging.
*thunderous applause*
Jay, I looooooooooove this!!!!!!! OMG, you are so creative, my friend!
What I especially love are the wings and how they almost look like stained glass windows!
Do you know what this reminds me of? Something out of a Tim Burton movie.
AWESOME job, Jay! I look forward to seeing more!
X
Ron´s last [type] ..With Kisses, Olivia
P.S. and yes, here in the U.S. a Daddy-Long-Legs is referred to as a spider.
I’ve never (to my knowledge) seen a crane fly. He looks world weary . . . kind of reminds me of a salmon making his last swim upstream to spawn. Life must be tough for these little guys. The Burton reference is perfect -
I love it! You have so many details and such a cool and unique style of drawing. I’m with Lori, no criticism from me because I love it!
I am curious, though, is Scribbler an iPad app or a program on your computer?
houndstooth´s last [type] ..The Invisible Thread
Thank you for kind words on my blog! And hey, this image – your crane fly – is awsome! I like the style very much.
We have crane flies in Sweden too, and we call them Pappa LĂĄngben, which is swedish for Daddy Longlegs!
Molly P´s last [type] ..Vingar
A beautiful drawing. But my goodness, he/she looks very precarious on those spindly legs!
nick´s last [type] ..Flash mob
Nick – Thanks!
Yes, they are very precarious creatures. They don’t fly well, and their legs tend to get damaged easily, poor things.
Hi Jay, I love this, I love how you have captured the insects fragility and how I feel a warm connection to it because of that. It seems chained by the web but also determined to not be held back.
Here in Australia we call a long legged spindly spider a daddy long legs, I think in other places the spider is known as a cellar spider.
Janet´s last [type] ..Illustration Friday _ wings
Janet – Hi! Thanks for your very kind comments! I always appreciate it when a fellow artist comes along to give me some useful feedback!
Thanks for dropping by!