3x3 Challenge - and a triceratops on a tricycle
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After completing the 100 kids project, I wanted a portfolio-building trigger that has a shorter time-frame (it took me about 20 months to do the 100 Kids challenge) and focuses on more complex illustrations in groups of 3-5 related pieces. After much thinking and hesitation, I decided to set myself what I called a 3x3 Illustration Challenge
I rolled three story dice and committed myself to doing three illustrations inspired by whatever the outcome was, where at least one of the illustrations should be a full-spread image. I'm not committing to a time-frame, because there is too much going on and my schedule is getting very unpredictable, but I plan to roll the dice every time I have a slump.
Here is the outcome of my first dice roll....
It took me a while to figure out what to do with that, but I finally sketched three illustrations I'm quite happy with.
And one of them gave me this wonderful opportunity to draw a triceratops on a tricycle - which needed to be done just for the sound of it....So, I'm going to bug you with the progress on this because, hey, I need some accountability!
If anyone is interested in joining in, I'll be happy to start a hashtag. Of course you can roll your own dice! -
@smceccarelli phenominal drawing. This is a pretty cool idea
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@smceccarelli Very nice, Simona!
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@smceccarelli I LOVE this idea, and I love this drawing!
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@smceccarelli The die is cast! This is a great idea for a challenge - Your drawing looks really good ! Looking forward to seeing the next two- not sure if you are looking for feedback on these but it looks like possibly the horn on our right closest to the frill is either too far back on the head or the one on our left is too far forward ...as though the axis of the top two large horns and say the axis of the small horn and beak are maybe not perpendicular? ( I could be off on this though) really nice work
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This is great!! Very good composition too.
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Oh man, I love story dice! Awesome idea to use them for inspiration. I'd participate.
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This is really great! What a fun perspective and beautiful line work. It really pulls the view into to the story. Now I'm curious what the other two illustrations are!
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@kevin-longueil Good catch, Kevin, thank you!. Also looks like I have to redraw one of the hands.
I just realized the dinosaurs were clothed in my thumbnails. Now I’m not sure.....clothes or no clothes? I definitely need a morning gown in one of them (it´s part of the character). Would that imply all of them have to wear clothes, if they live in the same world? -
I think that no clothes on the dinosaur seems like a good choice. If you give them clothes I would presume they are more intelligent, which would adjust the social dynamic of it and the child. I guess it depends on what you vision is though.
As for the illustration, I think it is wonderful! There is a lot of energy, the composition works really well and the dinosaur on that tricycle is so funny. The only thing at this stage I feel is off is the boy's head and expression. He looks like he is happy, but it feels more of a "just got in a bath after a long hard day" kinda look. The position of his hat in perspective also seem somewhat awkward and may be something to consider.
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I love your triceratops! The angle is amazing and his pose is just plain hilarious. I also love what you did with the kid.
This 3x3 challenge is very interesting. Can we join? How does it work?
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@nyrryl-cadiz You sure can! Here is how I thought it up. Roll three story dice (real or digital) once. Whatever comes out is your inspiration for three illustrations based in the same world or story, as if they were living in the same book. They don’t all need to contain the objects shown by the dice, the hints are only an inspiration or starting point. Don’t give up straight away if nothing comes to mind - give it a couple of days.
At least one of the illustrations should be full bleed (spread or page). The others can be spots or vignettes.
That’s all. I’m going to use the hashtag #3x3Challenge when I start posting - would love to see other people jump on it! -
Looks great. I would just move boy on a bike a little bit to the left. There's a lot of things happening behind the bike wheel and his leg and dino's bike. It took me a while to get it. Or maybe you will separate this when coloring. Good work.
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This is a fun idea! I guess I've been living under a rock - never heard of story dice before. Now I shall seek them out
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@missmushy you can get digital ones for tablets
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Thank you @Gary-Wilkinson @markoman for your comments - I made a bunch of corrections on that drawing.
Here is the second one - this one with clothes.
Velociraptors are sensitive beings.... -
@smceccarelli just ordered my own story dice! Thank you for the inspiration. Let's see what wild and weird things pop up
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I love this idea! Create a hashtag, that would be great!
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@smceccarelli Such a good idea! I'm going to try this challenge. On another note, I admire your artwork and the strategic way you manage your career. Thanks so much for sharing your projects and knowledge.
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Great illustration, very cool style. I'm liking this challenge.