my little sketchbook has been filling up with oodles of doodles of people, doing various things, going about their lives. people i come across while doing whatever it is i’m doing.
{ edit: just noticed i dated that drawing as 2010, not 2011! }
the people are tiny, about 1 cm (less than half an inch) tall, and so fun to capture when perfection isn’t the objective.
this little one right here?
a young girl taking a break during lessons (with the pre-requisite giant helmet).
there is an artist i’d like to mention, but in doing so here, i am not suggesting my work is like his (i’ve already been compared to picasso here, thanks to jo, and i can pretty much retire now ;-) )… though i do want to share some inspiration.
i’ve been admiring the work of jean jacques sempé recently. if you’re not familiar with the name, you will probably recognize his work.
born in france in 1932, sempé is the artist and cartoonist behind many published pieces, including covers of the new yorker magazine, as well as his own books and compilations. his style is simple but precise and elegant. flipping through the pages of one of his books is like reading a rich story, without any pesky words getting in the way.
i was looking through his book, un peu de paris (a little bit of paris), and really enjoyed the images. most are drawn from a high perspective, looking down at a scene or a crowd of people, each person a few lines of ink, but cleverly expressive.
here’s just one of many such vignettes, though my photo doesn’t do justice…
pick up one of his books if you get the chance and look through the pages. though i don’t celebrate valentine’s day, i think it’d be a good excuse to purchase his displays of affection for a loved one or yourself.
(honestly, i’m not hinting mr.madeItSo. but if you’re reading this and you do get the book, you can toss the receipt. just saying.)
