"Another electric nap"
I haven't done the Process/Inspiration posts from creatives in so long! Artist Fionn McCabe reminded me and sent me his 'process' behind his latest piece, "Another electric nap". I love it! It's great to get a view into his work & hear about his inspiration from the artist William Kentridge. So before I give it all away I'll let you hop to it. If you have any questions or thoughts, please leave them for Fionn in the comment section and he'll respond. - meighan
Fionn McCabe shares his process:
A few months back I saw an amazing exhibition of William Kentridge's work. I love the way he mixes realities in his videos and his drawings are really wonderful in person. The large figure in my drawing is inspired by one of his from "Monuments".
"Monuments", William Kentridge.
I left the Museum sketching figures in similar poses and when I got back to my studio I started a large drawing (38"x50") based on his composition [below]. After a about a week I realized that I had no idea how to finish what I had started so I began a second piece, which turned into "Another electric nap".
Around this time I saw "Art in the streets" at MOCA (which I enjoyed) and my thoughts on that show steadily crept into my work. I found it flashy, overwhelming, and distracting, sort of the antithesis of the William Kentridge show, and I wanted to capture some of that energy. Kind of take something thoughtful and really decorate the hell out of it, something simultaneously quiet and lonely and trying really hard to get attention.
While I was working on "Another electric nap" I made a smaller (22"x30") untitled piece with a similar composition and tried out some of the things I didn't want to screw up in the larger piece.
Smaller drawing.
My process:
I start sketching in pencil and map out a few things to get myself started, then go right in with ink. I generally mix some color into the ink so that, when watered down, I can play warm and cool tones off one-another to give the drawing a little more depth.
Once I have the majority of the drawing done I block parts out and silkscreen dot patterns into the piece which pops certain elements out, push others back and add a little textural variation.
The last step is always to get a little sloppy, "ruin it" a little bit in an attempt to imbue the work with some energy. I use large crappy brushs that I can't control as well to make more gestural lines and marks. I decided to add a little bit of airbrush too. Things weren't looking desperate enough but airbrush can fix that real quick.
And thats that.
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