Cogs

A new image for the Homepage of my Portfolio site, which I've just updated for 2009 www.joelbenjamin.co.uk.

I wanted to move on from using the simple self portrait on the homepage, and move on from focusing on just head and shoulders portraits so much too. So this I thought would make a fun image of me as I like to see myself at present.

If there is any story behind the picture, its that I very much like my bike and ride it at least every other day.
I bought the Bike initially as a continuation of my enjoyment of skateboarding, but as something a little more practical and easy going. It has two cogs on the rear wheel, one either side. One is fixed, and if you flip the wheel round, the other lets you freewheel.
Initially I was interested in riding fixed gear but find that it takes a lot of concentration. This isn't a problem in itself, it's just that what I love about riding a Bike is that you can be carefree, look around, take in the sights and even whistle a fancy tune if you like. So I ride this way so that I can get some good excercise in and not miss out on anything inspiring I may spot on the way.



Just in case you where wondering; "Dang! what are those rather fetching sneakers Joel has depicted?", they're my Emerica Jerry Hsu's, which I picked up from the lovely local Smash Skates.

Punktraits

I've been playing around with making some of my already exsisting portraits a little more interesting. Although I won't be placing these in my portfolio, I like these punky colour themed variations.

All Smiles

A recently completed portrait commission. This actually was my first commissioned portrait, and the hardest I've had to do so far. Smooth, Cherubic faces are something of a nightmare to render correctly, esp' in colour.

More wip

Another sneak at some work, of which the finished version will be uploaded to my portfolio soon.

Cynara

This weeks Epoch Times Poetry piece. Published 11/03/09.

A Reading of ‘Non Sum Qualis eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae' by Ernest Dowson

"Last night, ah, yesternight, betwixt her lips and mine
There fell thy shadow, Cynara! thy breath was shed
Upon my soul between the kisses and the wine;
And I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, I was desolate and bowed my head:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion".
(Just the first stanza because it's a long'un).

Here's some rough designs, 3 of 8ish. The general image came to mind pretty much straight away as I read the poem. However it wasn't until I had sketched and sketched various compositions that I realised that the ghostly lady needed to be between the two lovers.







This one is based on Augustus Rodins famous 'The Kiss'. I was going to medernize the characters if I used it, but went off the idea after a while.

Creative bits

A little bit of sketchbook here, quick painting and sketching from TV on the Radio's 'Dear Science' album cover insides.



Also, I stumbled across this 27min video of a guy called Merlin Mann talking at a Mac conference about Creative Patterns, or somesuch??
I found the bit about Twyla's Box quite inspiring.

Watch it Here

Jorgan

Current portrait commission, which I am being far too slow about completing.

Oaken

This weeks effort for the London Epoch Times, Poetry Column. Published today!

Subconsciously influenced by Brian(Dark Crystal & Labyrinth conceptual designer)Froud's Pressed Faeries book (which I havnt glanced at for a long time).

Thrice Toss These Oaken Ashes
by Thomas Campion

Thrice toss these oaken ashes in the air,
Thrice sit thou mute in this enchanted chair,
Then thrice three times tie up this true love's knot,
And murmur soft “She will, or she will not.”
Go burn these pois'nous weeds in yon blue fire,
These screech-owl's feathers and this prickling briar,
This cypress gathered at a dead man's grave,
That all my fears and cares an end may have.
Then come, you fairies! dance with me a round;
Melt her hard heart with your melodious sound.
In vain are all the charms I can devise:
She hath an art to break them with her eyes.

Original article on the web here.

Work in progress

A piece of a piece of personal work, that'll be up on my portfolio site along with other bits soon.

Poe

This weeks London Epoch Times poetry pic, published 25/02/09.

A Dream Within A Dream
By Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow—
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand—
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep—while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

The original article can be read here.

The Grey Trap

Looking at a copy of the Epoch Times last week, with the Hypnosis illustration printed within, I cringed to notice that my work is edging towards the grey trap*. A dreaded place indeed.

Through experience I've learnt that to make an effective black and white illustration one needs to create an image of crisp, clear contrast so that it is bold and punchy. Just recently my weekly works have been using more and more areas of neutral grey tones (just look), which when printed can end up looking muddy and weak.

This narrow brush with the grey trap has put me on alert for forthcoming works.



I feel that this pic came close to being too heavily grey, but was just saved by the clean white used.

The wisdom of this awesome lady is worth taking note of.

*Not official terminology or Art speak :)

Hypnosis

An illustration to go in an 'Advertorial', on the Epoch Times Health page this week.

Original article here.



This rough doodle was scribbled down while brain-storming (none of that 'thought shower' nonsense) for an image that would work. I didn't develop it further for being too 'new-agey' whilst the article required a more scientific image/angle.

Power of Bobservation

This is a little experiment I've wanted to conduct since
(B)obtaining a lightbox. The first image is the original portrait of my friend Bob that I made in 2007. Each following image is a tracing of the previous one, using a different medium each time.

My theory was that the image should simplify a little each time, hopefully resulting in only the fundamental aspects that are required to make an identifiable portrait left at the end.
What is left out of an image can be just as importrant as what is included, especially in trying to make something appear alluring and mysterious.
I don't think I'm quite there yet with this one, but it has been fun so far.

What I'm really trying to capture is a bit of this guys magic touch.

CrocaDilla

Illustration for the Epoch Times UK, Art & Culture page, poetry column.

A Crocodile
by Thomas Lovell Beddoes

Hard by the lilied Nile I saw
A duskish river-dragon stretched along,
The brown habergeon of his limbs enamelled
With sanguine alamandines and rainy pearl:
And on his back there lay a young one sleeping,
No bigger than a mouse; with eyes like beads,
And a small fragment of its speckled egg
Remaining on its harmless, pulpy snout;
A thing to laugh at, as it gaped to catch
The baulking, merry flies. In the iron jaws
Of the great devil-beast, like a pale soul
Fluttering in rocky hell, lightsomely flew
A snowy troculus, with roseate beak
Tearing the hairy leeches from his throat.

Click here to see the complete article (with the US version illustration).

Im really pleased with this picture. Once I had the image set in my mind it felt quite easy to draw. This is partly due to my having stayed in my room and worked at a lot of drawing recently, so I was well warmed up for the task. Its also due to my not having drawn anything vaguely monstrous for a long time, so I was quite excited by it.



PS - I am really loving doing these poetry illustrations, I think I have found my calling.

Plum Blossom in Snow

Plum Blossom in Snow is the story of Australian Zhizhen Dai and her little daughter Fadu Chen. Their beloved husband and father, Chen Chengyong, was persecuted to death in China for his belief in and support for Falun Gong. Determined to let the world know about the brutal death of her husband, and the ongoing suffering of millions of persecuted Falun Gong practitioners in China, Zhizhen Dai now journeys around the world together with her daughter. She carries the message of human rights, truth and justice with a conviction that can only be achieved through personal experiences and deep insights.

It has recently been released on DVD
(Available HERE - ARTJUX.COM)

The illustration above is totally drawn from a photo used on the film poster and cover. This is not usually good practice as far as being original goes, but I love the photo so much I had to imitate it.

Homepage - plumblossominsnow.com
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I really dont watch enough documentaries.