Superstition WIP process as is tradition

braden H

So I let it mull around for a bit, and instead of just illustrating a specific illustration, I wanted to take a stance (sorta) on the concept of superstition which is superstition is garbage I came up with a couple of ideas, and neither were working out. The granny pulling the levers on the skinnerbox was fun, but felt like a political cartoon. I really liked the idea of the kid touring through the neighbourhood (family circus nostalgia and all that), but was having a hard time thinking of a 'mishap' that would fit but wouldn't be depressingly deadly. So I thought what about a lightning strike? Seemed simple and fun, so threw together a pitch for that one. I may do a few more thumbnails (try moment before, and during) but I think it's the idea I'm gonna go with.

Feedback is always welcome

braden H

The 4 leave clover is going to be the one thing that's undamaged

Chip Valecek

@Braden-Hallett as always... looking forward to watching your process.

Coley

I like the lightening strike. The kid in the thumbnails I find especially hilarious lol

Gary Wilkinson

Loving the idea for the 4 leaf clover/umbrella concept, however I think your first concept has more of a story to it that can contain a lot in 1 image. Excited to see the progress whichever you choose.

braden H

@Gary-Wilkinson I definitely prefer the first concept, too I think I'm gonna hammer out the 4 leaf clover idea first, and work on the first concept slowly and try and figure it out.

braden H

@Chip-Valecek @Coley Thanks guys

TessaW

Love your take on the theme. I also prefer the first concept as it would be a piece that one could spend more time looking and thinking about, but the second concept has great visual impact. Looking forward to seeing the process!

braden H

I'm trying to break myself of some bad habits and go back to the turbocharging creativity course I took.

Bad habit 1: doing the drawing before the value and colour studies. I should have a mini-painting that looks pretty close well before I start really drawin'.

Bad habit 2: Not close to completely figuring out them value relationships before drawing. While I'm gonna push and pull this a LITTLE, I think it's pretty close to what I wanna do.

Super simple value study

Then a colour/value study

I kept my thumbs and studies on the canvas when I did my SCBWI prompt, and it really helped, so I'm gonna try doing it from now on.

Next step is draw, and then paint!

braden H

@TessaW Thanks . I will definitely revisit the first idea. But the lightning strike clover is just kind comfortable, if you get what I mean. I'll do both

braden H

Comin' along! Trying out a new process this time 'round.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Braden-Hallett this is already looking so great. A few more burnt patches on the grass and the kid and you could call it all done. Amazing as always.

MichaelaH

@Braden-Hallett I Love the Concept, I would make more burnt parts on the kid like Nyrryl said and maybe the 4leaf make look like it died after the hit, no it look so fresh like moment before, many one of leafs falling to the ground.

Coreyartus

Good grief, Braden--you always work SO fast and everything turns out looking so finessed. Kudos to you, man. This is yet another piece that I just sit back and go, "How the heck does he do that?" Lookin' very good.

Sofie Schollaert

I really like how it turned out! Maybe, just a thought, you can highlight the concept by making a few tears in his jacket and maybe have some smoke coming out of his boots? Just a suggestion though, it looks really fun!!

braden H

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Thanks! Definitely gonna add some more 'damage' as I work at it (scorchy bits 'n such)

@MichaelaH I'm planning on keeping the 4 leaf clover the one thing that's noticeably UNdamaged. Partly because I wanna make that green really stand out, and partly because 4 leaf clovers are lucky, just not for the poor people who pick them

@Coreyartus Thanks! In this case it's less 'work fast' and more 'I had a whole day to work on it'

@Sofie-Schollaert Thanks! I'll definitely add some more evidence of lightning damage

braden H

I may make a few more small changes, but right now I think I need to sit on it and come back later with fresh eyes

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TessaW

It's looking great! The expression is wonderful. I asked my 7 year old what she thought the painting meant, and she guessed correctly. I think you've really nailed the concept.

braden H

@TessaW Thank yoooou! Ever since I quit teaching I've been missing out on my readily available research demographic :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_closed_eyes: Good to know your 7 year old guessed correctly!

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Braden-Hallett i love that you drew four leaf clovers on the unscorched earth. It only further drives the point that they are lucky, but not the one who picked them up. Great story telling. Very wonderful!