This post features the drawing I was working on during the last day of 2011. I prefer things that are black and white-however, I realize that my body of work lacks very bright things–so I decided to go with a finished color version with more than just a black and white drawing.
The idea behind this piece was to illustrate Janelle Monae. Monae is an amazing singer, and frankly-shes an unparalleled talent in current American music. For those who know me, you’ll know that I love instrumental music, and all of my favorite singers (except two) are no longer making music. Janelle is something special. Her newest album, “The Archandroid” is phenomenal. She has command over a powerful and versatile voice and has a selection of fitting melodies(go Kallindo!) accompanying her fantastic voice. Her album is a story that takes place in the future city of “Metropolis”, and has a really cool narrative behind it-which is shown in the message, tone and lyrics of each song. If you listen to the album, you’ll note some really smooth and pleasing transitions between songs as well. My favorite is between Dance of Die >Faster (my favorite song)> Locked Inside. Not only does the album tell a story-lots of it can be applied to life as we know. Its a brilliant thing to see the thought placed behind it. I hope she continues to have a successful musical career.
If you’ve never listened to her music, check this out. Its her music video for the song, “Tightrope.” Coupled with her sound-Janelle seems to have a calm and relaxed personality with a righteous intent. She states that her music is for the “have-nots” ,and like her character “The Archandroid” she passes on her message through music. Additionally, she can be very lively and filled with a spectacular energy! Her performance in the link above will certainly demonstrate that.
That bright energy was the inspiration for the piece. Lively, wide-eyed, and fun! Below, are the various stages of the drawing. I highly prefer black and white work, and honestly I’d have left it at the black and white stage. I’m a huge fan of the contrast and shapes made. The proportions are cartooned and exaggerated-and I’m also pretty sure this is the “cutest” thing I’ve ever drawn-a slight break from the fighters and monsters that usually fill my sketchbooks. (Heh.) Also, you’ll see a sketch of “Metropolis” that is in the background of the drawing. That was based off of the city in Fritz Lang’s film, “Metropolis” which is certainly a source of some inspiration for “The Archandroid.” Just about everything was done with brushes and g-pens, until I got to the crazy color phase. I also had a “welcome to Metropolis” text there, but decided against it in the end.
I hope it looks good! It was fun doing something different from usual stuff-and it was cool to cartoon a singer I enjoy. Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed posts like this, click the “like” button (and the facebook like button too!) on the blog to subscribe and be updated with more. For more sketches, be sure to check my tumblr with almost daily sketch updates, and check back to this blog for for finished drawings and design analysis!
Have you watched Metropolis? Seriously, I don’t know WHY they didn’t make us watch that in every SEQA class, uh, ever because it’s genius story telling, and the use of black & white is amazing. I was just flabbergasted by the film, and cannot get enough of it. SO GOOD. I’ve already told you on DA, but I love this. LOVE IT.
Thanks for commenting Aja! I’m glad you like this one! It was fun to draw something fun and different! As for Metropolis, I actually hadnt seen the entire film-just clips from it; and I agree with your opinions on it. It IS however, in my instant queue on Netflix, so it’s bound to be watched in its entirety, very soon. Haha.