First and foremost, I DO NOT CARE about your political position on this piece; that is what I am not seeking.
Last night I got contacted via a firm who i doing various pieces for the Obama Campaign. It is quite the honor to be in the list, and obviously I want to create a strong piece so i can hold my own with the other designers, as well as a strong piece that is fitting. This is my first rough pass at this and it just doesn’t feel right. Maybe it’s missing a skull (joke), but I want to make sure I do a good job on this, and know i can reach that, however, I am open to thoughts, suggestions, etc. For those who know my work, and know my style, I am interested in hearing your thoughts. There is something that just feels out of place, and i can’t put my finger on it. Granted, once it’s colored up, it will look better, but my desire is to also get a strong black and white before i move into the coloring. So please, let me know your thoughts.
September 30th, 2008 at 9:24 am
First off, congratulations this is a huge win for the Obama camp and you.
I have been looking it over and comparing it to some of your past successful work. My assessment of the hitch in the giddyup is in the neck area. You have awesome dimension and shape definition in the face around the eyes, however, some of that dimension is lost below his chin and over the shoulder. The “twisting” of his head toward his right shoulder is lost at his neck.
Great work and I really like how you are using the “currency” waves in your work as a shading element. It adds awesome rhythm and pattern to your illustrations. It’s an awesome break from solids.
Good job sir and I am looking forward to the next round.
Jonathan
September 30th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
All politics aside, I know Obama is being made out to be a Superhero so I think you captured the theme really well. I agree with what Jonathan said about the definition being lost in the neck but I also think the cheek could use a tiny bit of detail.
Sick illustration as always.
September 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
A couple of us looked at it together here in the office and we agree that its Obama’s left side that looks weird. After looking at this a while, I started looking at it in pieces. If you cover up the left side of his face (His Left) it looks just like him. If you cover up the right side of his face it kind of looks like Mr. T or something. It might be the shadow next to his mouth.
Anyhow, another option would be to flip the image so it’s the other side of his face and fix the shirt so it’s correct. Then you could incorporate that distinctive mole on his left cheek.
Those are my observatons for whatever they’re worth.
September 30th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
For me it’s the light gray shading that’s throwing this off. I know this part will become more clear once it’s in colour but for now it seems to flatten the image rather than adding depth…
Awesome illustration job though. I can’t wait to see the final.
September 30th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
you know, he does seem a little bit chubby in the face and the neck is a little ahh. [maybe that’s what is making him look chubbier to me?]
perhaps you just gotta add some more detail to the neck [adam’s apple area]?
but those are my meager 2 cents…
…you’re always in Beast Mode!
October 1st, 2008 at 8:34 am
As fantastic an illustration as this is, it is a little off and nobody can seem to figure out what it is. I was watching Obama debate McCain the other night and noticed almost everytime Obama spoke, he either faced McCain, spoke directly to him or tried to make eye contact while debating this man. McCain never even faced Obama and never made eye contact. To me, that speaks volumes in terms of each mans character. I think if I were to tackle this project, ( I wish ) I would want to project that from Obama, Something that is direct, Confident and not afraid to engage. I know you are already on the coloring phase of this project but wanted to put in my 2 cents without being political
October 1st, 2008 at 9:21 am
I’ve been checking out your work for a while (RSS) subscriber and I think you can push it better. It doesn’t have the same passion and intensity that you apply to your skulls. I would probably chose a different pose, because the aforementioned left side leaves a whole lot of dead space.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:47 am
something about the cheekbone seem weird to me. to high? just my initial thought when I first saw it.