Ten days ago, I asked y’all for help with a sketch of a drawing I’m doing for a magazine. Believe it or not, it’s still in the sketch phase.
Still, it’s much closer to being done now, I think. I took a bunch of suggestions, so thanks to everyone for their help.
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September 24th, 2003 at 10:39 am
Hmm… Were you wanting comments?
This comment was written by PinkDreamPoppies.Report this comment to the moderators
September 24th, 2003 at 10:53 am
Sure, feel free.
This comment was written by Ampersand.Report this comment to the moderators
September 24th, 2003 at 11:53 am
Hm, now I feel all presumptuous and arrogant. Ah, well…
First off, it looks great and I envy your talents. Truman and Nixon look much, much better, and the cowboy theme is much more obvious.
I thought, though, that your Mel Gibson looked better in the last cartoon. The one you have now looks more like the cariactures of Arnold I’ve been seeing lately than Mel Gibson. His face is too angular (round out his jaw line, especially his profile on our right) and his chin sticks out a tad too much. His nose, I think, could also stand to be rounded out a bit.
You completely nailed his posture, though. Good job.
If you’re looking for a more angry or brooding Gibson, you might consider browsing through Braveheart pictures (this one seemed to match what I thought you were going for) since he brooded his way through a lot of that picture.
One more minor thing and then I’ll stop being a jerk. It took me a moment to realise that Nixon was signaling for cards. I thought at first he was just randomly flashing the V, which struck me as odd. Perhaps making his discarded cards more centred on the table (i.e., closer to the dealer) would make them more visible.
I look forward to seeing the completed cartoon. Where/when is it to be published?
This comment was written by PinkDreamPoppies.Report this comment to the moderators
September 24th, 2003 at 11:57 am
Is the bald guy supposed to be a president? He looks kind of like Cheney on a diet. Cool picture.
This comment was written by Steve.Report this comment to the moderators
September 24th, 2003 at 1:27 pm
hey Amp — it’s shaped up well!
i’ll add my two (or maybe four) cents:
– Gibson is more recognizable, but somehow the nose seems a little too prominent. i dunno…
– the hats are *much* better; more “old west” feeling. nice.
– bald guy still makes me think of Cheney.
It took me a moment to realise that Nixon was signaling for cards. I thought at first he was just randomly flashing the V
PDP, i think it’s supposed to have that double meaning. it references the iconic Nixon “double V” pose from the top of the steps to Air Force One after resigning, and it also looks like he’s calling for two. well done, Amp. (heh. or maybe i’m reading too much into it…)
This comment was written by CF.Report this comment to the moderators
September 24th, 2003 at 1:33 pm
That was the first time I’ve seen that cartoon, I thought it looked like Nixon was great, and I assumed you were making a “signalling for cards/flashing the V” connection right away.
After going back to the first cartoon I agree that Gibson is better in the first one, maybe find a picture from Maverick if you wanna stick with the cowboy theme.
I wouldn’t recognize Truman in any picture so I can’t speak to that.
Looks cool though.
This comment was written by Nate.Report this comment to the moderators
September 24th, 2003 at 3:32 pm
Huh. Now Mel Gibson looks like Bruce Campbell. Gimme some sugar, baby.
It’s looking great, Amp. Truman is much stronger. Oooh, and Nixon is sufficiently slimy. He seems to be slouching more now. Way to go! (I see you took my suggestion to give him the V for victory gesture. :D )
This comment was written by Trish Wilson.Report this comment to the moderators
September 24th, 2003 at 3:39 pm
Gibson ?!?! I thought that it was TED DANSON !!
D’oh !
This comment was written by alsis37 (fka Amy S.).Report this comment to the moderators
September 24th, 2003 at 5:58 pm
I know that it’s supposed to have a double-meaning, but the second of the two meanings (signalling for cards) was lost on me at first. Perhaps, though, I’m just slow today.
This comment was written by PinkDreamPoppies.Report this comment to the moderators
September 25th, 2003 at 1:34 am
I like the signalling, besides, because it gives the illustration more action. And Nixon is much more recognizable, with the amplified nose and jowls. Truman looks pissed.
As for Gibson, I’m thinking give him more of a Road Warrior look with three day’s beard growth. I think the tough thing with a caricature of Gibson is he’s a pretty typical handsome movie star, hence making a caricature of him hard to differentiate from other handsome movie stars. I really can’t think of any caricatures of him I’ve seen, and really don’t know how to really specify Gibson without the Braveheart blue man-makeup, which wouldn’t go with the theme.
I’d really enjoy seeing the finished product. Let us know when it comes out.
This comment was written by Raznor.Report this comment to the moderators
September 25th, 2003 at 7:46 am
I found Gibson easier to recognize in the first version than in the second. Nixon is unmistakable in both versions. I agree with ditching the strap (it really did look like a beekeeper’s veil) on Nixon’s hat, but I’m not sure about the V-sign. I don’t think it’s necessary. But if you do want to make it clear that he’s signalling for cards rather than just making a version of his trademark gesture, I think he has to be looking at the dealer rather than at Gibson’s cards. And the dealer (either Truman or the hatless guy, based on where the deck is) should be looking at Nixon and ready to deal him his two cards.
I really, really like the fact that Nixon’s the only one holding his cards below the table. It’s perfectly in character.
This comment was written by dch.Report this comment to the moderators
September 25th, 2003 at 7:51 am
I agree with dch with regard to the V and the necessity of eye contact.
This comment was written by PinkDreamPoppies.Report this comment to the moderators
September 25th, 2003 at 9:45 am
So, maybe I’m missing something obvious, but who’s the third guy supposed to be?
This comment was written by Doug-E-Fresh.Report this comment to the moderators
September 25th, 2003 at 9:46 am
I mean the 4th guy.
This comment was written by Doug-E-Fresh.Report this comment to the moderators
September 25th, 2003 at 11:16 am
I like that Nixon has a bit of a Pinocchio nose, and I think I’d see Truman now even without knowing. I still don’t “see” Mel, sorry. Gibson’s actual face lacks a handle. Maybe use Braveheart? Or if you have a caption, you’re fine. His posture is great.
This comment was written by John Isbell.Your generic Jewish guy is kind of interesting. He does remind me of Cheney (written before reading this thread). I’d give him hair, myself.
I agree you need to tweak the V sign. If he’s asking for cards, isn’t someone dealing? Maybe the Jew?
Still, wonderful, simple concept, coming together. It’s fun to be able to suggest stuff.
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September 25th, 2003 at 9:45 pm
The fourth guy is the author of the article that the cartoon illustrates. As such, I don’t have a lot of freedom to mess around with his appearance. I think the editors would definitely object to my giving him hair, for example. :-p
This comment was written by Ampersand.Report this comment to the moderators
September 26th, 2003 at 7:21 am
Ho ho ho ho! That does kind of change things, I guess. But wouldn’t he WANT a thick head of hair?
This comment was written by John Isbell.Report this comment to the moderators
September 26th, 2003 at 9:21 am
Truman and Nixon are much better — both are easily identifiable. Gibson, on the other hand, I don’t really see.
This comment was written by Liz.Report this comment to the moderators
August 11th, 2004 at 12:20 pm
Mel Gibson looks like Harrison Ford from that movie where he stays with the Amish family and he has to wear the amish hat and clothing, but the cartoon is very good overall.
This comment was written by J.Report this comment to the moderators
August 11th, 2004 at 1:09 pm
Witness, a 1985 movie.
This comment was written by Jimmy Ho.Report this comment to the moderators