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Saturday, January 19, 2013

Myth



"What's the prompt for that??", Magnum asked as I hopefully got Lance Armstrong to emerge from the paper.

"Myth", matter of factly.

"Ooh, okay!", and later, "He looks kind of like a Nazi".

Yes, this week's Illustration Friday prompt is "Myth", so what to make?  A dragon?  Unicorn?  Some other fantasy creature?  Okay.

I will say that I was never a fan of Lance Armstrong.  Yes, he was fast on a bike, but I don't like giving hero status to athletes, and he wasn't exactly humble about that.  There are others, too,  who have survived cancer and gone on to do meaningful things, limelight unnecessary.  The big "revelation" that he used performance enhancements  was certainly no surprise.

So I tried to talk myself out of doing his portrait for "myth", but oh well.  I wanted to do a speed drawing video [IT'S HERE], and portraits are fun for those, so... my first and last Lance Armstrong drawing.

20 comments:

ShadowRun300 said...

The drawing itself is fantastic. The story... not so much. I don't even like the fact that he "came out." Are we supposed to admire him for that now?
Loved the video. Did I spy your new iPod headphones?? And I gotta know - Do you EVER have to erase?

terri said...

Watching the video, I could see the point where Magnum was thinking "Nazi." I could see it too, just before Lance's mouth and chin emerged.

The whole admission, by the way, just saddens me. I don't tend to worship athletes either, but Lance Armstrong seemed pretty impressive for a long while.

I am impressed by your process. I used to draw in high school and created some work that I was proud of at the time. But I always had to work really hard for the end result. You make it look so easy and natural. I didn't keep up with it. Can't do it anymore.

Guano said...

The opposite of "myth" is "truth"; your subject choice, therefore, is spot-on.

And my opinion? He came clean only because he got caught. Makes me wonder about all those other "exceptionals" who haven't been....yet.

Abby said...

WHAT?? iTunes!
I lightly lay everything out before I go back in with the details. That's when my erasers often put their time in! Unless I just chuck the thing and start over - not very riveting video

Abby said...

Really? You've never mentioned that, that I recall. From your photos, though, I know you have "The Eye"!

Abby said...

I think you're right. I was sort of bummed when Marion Jones was busted, but not Lance.

agg79 said...

Excellent drawing. I agree with Magnum as well, he does sort of have that Nazi look. Love the video of your work in progress. I am still in awe of how easy you make it look. I am curious as to which iTunes are you dialws into when you are drawing?

LL Cool Joe said...

I knew nothing about the guy until recently. I'm glad to say. Can't say I would have wanted to spend any time at all drawing him!

josh pincus is crying said...

Beautiful illustration of a liar.

Abby said...

I just have a hodge podge of a playlist that has evolved over time. Set to shuffle.

Abby said...

I thought he got too much press when he was a "hero". And I think he's getting too much still as a "disgrace". But what do I know?

Abby said...

Thanks, nicely put!

meleah rebeccah said...

I think it was Ellen DeGeneres who said, "Lance Armstrong should really change his name to Lance RegularArms."

heidi aldin monteleone said...

Great idea for myth. Unfortunately we put athletes up on pedestals, much like the Greek gods. They turn out to be human after all.

Ted Blackman said...

I never cared about him when he was winning, but now I really don't like him.

theodraws said...

A common theme this week for me, too. I like your image (the Nazi connection might have something to do with his apparel; black shirt collar up and Aryan hair cut). Your image certainly captures that defiant attitude.

Heather Davulcu said...

Me too-not a fan of Lance. But I am a fan of this piece! I did a cartoon of Lance this week too!

Anita said...

Nazi was my initial reaction upon looking at your drawing. Intentional?

Do you have a vision of your subjects in your head, or are you looking at a picture? I also noticed the folded paper you were using - to prevent smearing, I assume?

Good work; and worth all 2 minutes and 56 seconds to watch you do it. :)

Abby said...

Thanks :)
I use reference photos 95% of the time. The rest are doodles. So yeah, I was definitely working from a Lance photo. I chose one that I thought showed his arrogance. And yes, the folded paper is to prevent smearing, a graphite hazard!

Koosje Koene said...

"He looks kind of like a Nazi". Hahaha, I thought he same :) However, it's a great portrait!