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Lucy Knisley

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100 Characters! [Sep. 22nd, 2007|04:58 am]
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For my "draw 100 different characters" assignment, I set myself a couple of additional challenges:
1. I stuck to people, only. No animals or inanimate object characters.
2. A grid format.
3. No photo references at all.
4. No pre-pencils. Straight to brushpen.
5. No corrective fluid, or messing with corrections on the computer.

Firstly, I have to say that this was one of the most amazingly fun assignments I've ever had, mostly because drawing characters from my mind is what I like to do the most (and what 99% of my doodles consist of). When I don't have to worry about constructing a story or dialogue around a figure, they come to me very quickly, and it's always nice to draw out a brand new set of friends.

Secondly, I didn't confine my drawing style to one "type" or another, and it really made me realize how much my style varies according to mood. This is something I've been struggling against for a while, but it's actually kind of interesting to map various influences and techniques, all through one assignment.

Finally, there's an element of free-association in this exercise. I'll draw out a character who looks like they're watching TV, and that'll make me think of Bob Ross, so I'll draw a Bob Ross character, and then I'll remember watching Bob Ross while I had the TV on one time, and had been doing yoga, and I'll draw a guy doing a yoga pose.

I draw 60% male, 40% female characters! Neat!

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Comments:
[User Picture]From: marionv
2007-09-21 09:03 pm (UTC)

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This is so wonderful!
[User Picture]From: harmonica_charm
2007-09-21 09:18 pm (UTC)

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holy crow!

these are spectacular
[User Picture]From: rockettonic
2007-09-21 09:31 pm (UTC)

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these look amazing!

i may just have to try out this exercise myself
[User Picture]From: goraina
2007-09-21 09:32 pm (UTC)

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Did you let yourself look back at the ones you'd already drawn as you went along, to make sure you weren't accidentally repeating yourself?
[User Picture]From: joshuasmeaton
2007-09-21 09:48 pm (UTC)

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Fantastic! What a great assignment.
[User Picture]From: brianmooredraws
2007-09-21 09:58 pm (UTC)

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Great work!
[User Picture]From: _w_o_o_d_
2007-09-21 09:59 pm (UTC)

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That's such a great panorama ! I like that there's a luchador. I love how you tried so many styles (do I see a Charles Burns or Mike Allred influence in some of these ?)
[User Picture]From: poisonrational
2007-09-21 10:07 pm (UTC)

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Fantastic job! What a great warm up. :)
[User Picture]From: derbyartist
2007-09-21 10:27 pm (UTC)

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Impressive.
I think I may give it a shot as well.
[User Picture]From: douglasbot
2007-09-21 10:37 pm (UTC)

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Outstanding!
What a great exercise and straight to brush pen!? Well done!
[User Picture]From: _ming
2007-09-21 10:50 pm (UTC)

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...you complete me.

i especially like the civil war couple and the 50's-style teenybopper!
[User Picture]From: smccloud
2007-09-21 11:15 pm (UTC)

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Whoa!! That's even cooler than I imagined it would be.

Tell James this is a superb assignment. If I ever steal it for one of my classes, I'm calling it "The Kochalka Challenge" -- or maybe just the "Kochalkenge!"
From: oharlene
2007-09-21 11:43 pm (UTC)

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Nice work! It's a great exercise.
[User Picture]From: giant_ant
2007-09-21 11:47 pm (UTC)

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Brought a smile to my face. Very cool.
[User Picture]From: maelie
2007-09-21 11:48 pm (UTC)

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This is so uberly cool. I love the wide range in variety!
[User Picture]From: astroboy12
2007-09-21 11:50 pm (UTC)

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awesome!
[User Picture]From: darkwaterfrey
2007-09-22 02:21 am (UTC)

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wow. what a great collection of different expressions and styles...........very impressive. Straight-to-Ink is really a great way to work sometimes!
[User Picture]From: gracefulfool
2007-09-22 02:43 am (UTC)

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Wow, these are amazing! I read the article in PW today at work and came to check out your journal - you seem pretty cool, so I friended you - hope that's okay... :)
[User Picture]From: justexquisite
2007-09-22 03:22 am (UTC)

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i get the feeling a lot of them are related. like, that little girl, second from the bottom, very center. i think she's the little sister of the guy in the jersey, 3rd from the top, second-to-last column.
[User Picture]From: davario
2007-09-22 05:42 pm (UTC)

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this is beautiful! there's a wonderful diversity, i love the old lady at the end and that cringing guy. and shoot, straight to brushpen!!! fantastic!
[User Picture]From: spazmodic
2007-09-22 09:39 pm (UTC)

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mighty impressive!

my favs are the babies (and shirtless people? >>)
[User Picture]From: ipomee
2007-09-22 09:42 pm (UTC)

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That's awesome !!! I love it !
A really nice assignment, wonderful work, your lines are soooo nice, fresh, lifefull. Waaow !
[User Picture]From: scribblestrum
2007-09-23 12:02 am (UTC)

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Wow. (Hello.) These are wonderful.
You've definitely inspired me. :)
[User Picture]From: finkenstein
2007-09-23 12:25 am (UTC)

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absolutely gorgeous. A lot of these people really hit the spot! I think I saw someone who looked like Liza from Cabaret.
[User Picture]From: galsan
2007-09-24 04:35 pm (UTC)

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this is completely delightful and a total testament to your considerable talents! bravo!
[User Picture]From: lifevnews
2007-10-05 12:54 pm (UTC)

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impressive!