Tuesday, October 16, 2007

EDM 140 - Draw an envelope


This is some of the envelopes I got in the mail. I tried to think up an interesting interpretation of the envelope theme, but it didn't really lend itself to anything clever. An envelope is an envelope. And it did look very plain, I couldn't even find one with an interesting stamp or logo or pattern. Those Canada Post prepaid envelopes are singularily unimaginative. So I thought maybe I could make an interesting background to add some punch. I left then to go to my book club meeting (Alligator by Lisa Moore - lyrically written but brooding and violent and essentially plotless). I came home about 4:00. The lowering sun was shining strongly in through the window directly onto these envelopes. And it suddenly became all about the shadows cast onto the table. I thought that was way more interesting (and more real) than a fantasy background. The lesson learned is that light and shadow are so crucial to creating interest and substance in a drawing. The blue square is the logo for the company sending the envelope, but I didn't want to actually put company names or addresses.

10 comments:

Shelly McC said...

Great work! The shadows make the image pop!!

caseytoussaint said...

I love this - the composition is really successful.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Oooh lovely! This is such a good drawing. So simple and clean, love the composition too. Just great.

Lin said...

Lynn: These look like the envies I get the most of!! LOL SUPER SUPER job on them .... but mercy, I hate what's inside! LOL

Teri said...

Isn't it interesting that the shadows and background make these envelopes so attractive!

Gabriel Campanario said...

delightful! love the green table cloth pattern

studiokane said...

Bill envelopes never looked so lovely! Very nice job. I love the green gingham tablecloth...it tells a story :)

Anonymous said...

the interesting background lifted the "plainness" of the envelopes. Great work!

quirkyartist said...

I saw this envelope a while ago, but I didn't comment and I didn't remember where it was. This is absolutely my favourite of all the envelope drawings I have seen. It's great!

Anonymous said...

You're right. The shadows are more interesting than the subject, but that's what's so great about art. I think you did a great job with this challenge.