Behind Beauties Darkness....process

This is another personal piece to go with 'Gnarled' and 'Master of Carrion'. They're all part of a series I'm working on, and I should be adding to that soon, as I've got another one lined up. Yet again, I always had a pretty clear idea of how I wanted this to turn out. The initial sketchbook drawing is very close to the final image. Although you could argue the hand crushing the butterfly is a significant addition to the narrative.

Heath Ledger

This is probably the most serious of this series of six paintings, certainly the darkest. The decision to use the Joker as Ledger's alter-ego, his inner strife, was a natural choice considering all that has happened.

Self-Portrait

The first in a series of light hearted self-portraits I have planned. I enjoyed this pic. I've just recently finished reading "Steppenwolf", and although I had this idea long before I read the book, it has added more depth to the illustration. The area below my face arguably needs better lighting to draw the eye a little easier to the focal point, but generally I think it does work. The next installment in the series is probably more gruesome than this pic but not as dark...

Thoughts

This is one of my sketch book drawings that I decided to work-up because it would be good fun to do and it was an excuse to draw some animals I've never drawn before. Plus there is a slight homage to Greek mythology slipped in as well. There was plenty of freedom with this pic and I enjoyed playing with the different 'characters' emerging from the cranium. Some of the characters changed along the way but the composition remained pretty constant throughout. One of the main changes came with the addition of the boar or warthog. I initially had an over-sized ant in his place. However I decided that one insect was enough. But more importantly the boar balanced the pic out and gave that side of the drawing more 'weight' and substance and I think its much better for it.