Luv WIP

[braden H]

As is tradition, I'm gonna post my progress for the 'loooooove' challenge. Not shown is the mindmap/brainstorming session. I'm exploring that unconditional love that allows parents to keep parenting without murdering their monstrous little devil spawn. Also that special love between siblings that's commonly mistaken as 'hate'.

As always, Suggestions and crits are most appreciated

Thumbs and super rough value comp.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Braden-Hallett omg! I was kinda planning the same thing! Oh, welll...

[braden H]

@nyrrylcadiz Do it anyways! It'll be neat to see the differences in our approach

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Braden-Hallett no, no that’s alright. I’ve been toying with some other ideas as well. It’s totally fine.

[Laurel Aylesworth]

@Braden-Hallett I love this because I am living this. Great storytelling here.

[Mr.Rob]

@Braden-Hallett Looking cool so far. I love seeing the value planning. Something I need to get better at. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to seeing more progress.

[Kevin Longueil]

@Braden-Hallett This is looking great! For feedback I would say that it feels like the scale of the parents is too small for where they are and especially for how low our eye level is - feels almost as though we should see a bit of the underside of the table and their heads should break the line of the upper cabinets? Was just thinking that the entire read of the piece might be dictated by the expressions on the faces of the parents so bringing them forward might be good even if their scale is correct - a couple random thoughts would be maybe having the teddy bear stretched more but not ripping...it really does pull the attention right now as possibly the most important thing happening in the frame - another random thought would be to maybe scoot the baby a hair to the left or flipped and moved all the way to the right - but it really does look great as is - so feel free to ignore

[Whitney Simms]

@Braden-Hallett if you need more examples, I have plenty. So so so many. Can’t wait to see it progress. Is there any joy, or just the chaos and storm? I can’t tell from the thumbnails.

[Jonas Zavacky]

@Braden-Hallett I don't have anything to say about it except I love it already maybe look out on the tangent with teddy's ear and the legs of the boy behind him

[Erin.Cortese]

I see what you are going for, but I'm not sure that it communicates love. It almost reminds me of a 'before' scene from a movie showing a dysfunctional family before they learn to show love to one another. What if instead of looking like they are in despair, the parents were looking lovingly at each other in the midst of all the chaos? I think that strong contrast might be really impactful.

[braden H]

@inkandspatter Tough to tell from the thumbnail, but that's exactly what I'm planning

[braden H]

@Kevin-Longueil Thanks for the feedback I'l keep that all in mind once I start actually sketching and figuring out tangents and elements a little bit more.

[braden H]

@inkandspatter Imagine a dead tired but tender smile as they share short moment holding hands. Maybe a 'happy anniversary' card on the table, too :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_closed_eyes:

[Erin.Cortese]

@Braden-Hallett oh sorry, lol! The concept is awesome!

[Whitney Simms]

@Braden-Hallett they could be negotiating who has to tackle which problem. Like playing poker. Or play Rock Paper Scissors for it. Or the laugh at your self smile, like “I don’t even know where to start.” Or you could make the parents hide under the table holding hands. Let’s pretend they’re not here. This is a very relatable illustration you have started! Although, I’ll keep my kids. They have their moments

[Pamela Fraley]

@Braden-Hallett this is great. Pascal Campion is posting some very loose comic sketches along these lines on his Instagram lately. You should check it out. He’s one of my favorites and he captures the pains and joys of parenting so perfectly. ️

[braden H]

Aaaaaand refined values:

Super basic light kinda colour study

And finally. Friggin' finally. The step that now takes me the least amount of time which I use to try to get to as soon as friggin' possible, the linework.

There's some clusters of tangents and lots of chaotic overlapping, but since it's suppose to FEEL chaotic, frenzied and just an utter cluster#*&^% I'm going to keep them.

Thanks everyone for your feedback so far

[Erin.Cortese]

@Braden-Hallett Wow, incredible! This composition has such great energy and movement.

[evilrobot]

Love this your draftsmanship is top notch.

[braden H]

@inkandspatter Thanks Full body screaming fits are always fun to illustrate and easy to make dynamic