This illustration has so much to say. I love it.
First, I love the four-color scheme (two-color plus black and white). The blue background is so rich and works perfectly against the periwinkle as well as black and white. I was particularly drawn to it because the guy is a singer/musician and because there's an adorable dog in the photo. Right away I saw the heart at the end of the strings, leading me to see the hole where his heart had been. How creative! "Pullin' on my heartstrings..."
I love the piece as a whole, but I also love the details, part of what makes this such a successful illustration. The guy doesn't even need details on his face. The nose, chin, and barely visible closed eye are enough. He's obviously singing, so a visible mouth wasn't even necessary. Simple. The shapes of his hands are elegant and delicate, taking great care to handle the instrument which is truly his own heart and what attaches his heart to his soul. Also, I love how his shoulders and elbows are rounded/soft while his knees and feet have sharp angles. The soft upper body shows, again, the care he has taking as he plays. The hairstyle is great—almost an Elvis flip along with the sideburns. Even the stool and mics/mic stands are elegant and delicate. It has a vintage flavor but a modern sense at the same time. The dog's posture, wide-open eyes, little pointed ears and tiny howling embouchure along with his pointed, standing-up tail somehow convey his concern for the man and sadness about what he hears. Well, that's my interpretation!
It's a fairly simple illustration, but there is a lot going on. It elicits in me feelings of heartbreak, beauty, tenderness, and even humor. Every shape, every line was carefully considered and placed. It's kind of surreal as well. I wish I had created this! I would have this framed on a wall in my house in a second. Very cool.
source:
Communication Arts Illustration Annual 55
May/June 2014
p. 95
Poster for a performing artist booking agency
Aad Goudappel, illustrator
Mark Kingsley, art director
Andrea Johnson, The Agency Group, client
No comments:
Post a Comment