Blak Smyth's art thread

[Blak Smyth]

I have been thinking about starting to do cigar artwork.
I have created this thread to discuss my art, get opinions and display what I have created.


I did my first cigar art pencil sketch this weekend, what do you guys think?
It is about 9"-10" long. It looks much better than the pic gives it justice.

[irratebass]

Looks good and better than I could do

[wayner123]

I mean no disrespect personally, but I don't see this as art. It's a simple drawing or sketch. It doesn't convey anything to me other than it's a cigar.

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by wayner123

I mean no disrespect personally, but I don't see this as art. It's a simple drawing or sketch. It doesn't convey anything to me other than it's a cigar.

I see your point, this "is" only a sketch. It is a starting point, I have not done any cigar art yet so I am just testing the waters.
Personally I see a simple drawing or sketch as art, if it speaks to you personally or not.
Thanks for the opinion though, I respect your honesty.

[Poronico]

The sketch is awesome, but I think it will all come down to the media used for the actual art. I have noticed that with most "caves" or smoking dens they are generally darker and relaxed. I really enjoy the look of oils and charcoal in rich colors in that type of atmosphere. Some water colors have a lack of presence in my eyes, but I am certainly no expert in these matters. I just like things that are pretty

Something along the lines of this... is what I am trying to describe.

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth

I see your point, this "is" only a sketch. It is a starting point, I have not done any cigar art yet so I am just testing the waters.
Personally I see a simple drawing or sketch as art, if it speaks to you personally or not.
Thanks for the opinion though, I respect your honesty.

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by Poronico

The sketch is awesome, but I think it will all come down to the media used for the actual art. I have noticed that with most "caves" or smoking dens they are generally darker and relaxed. I really enjoy the look of oils and charcoal in rich colors in that type of atmosphere. Some water colors have a lack of presence in my eyes, but I am certainly no expert in these matters. I just like things that are pretty

Something along the lines of this... is what I am trying to describe.

Yup I hear yah, thanks for the feedback.
I like the charcoal idea too

[Blak Smyth]

Meeting minutes:

[the nub]

Originally Posted by wayner123

I mean no disrespect personally, but I don't see this as art. It's a simple drawing or sketch. It doesn't convey anything to me other than it's a cigar.

IMHO I would go even further and say this is a line drawing with some tonal value added. I think this drawing is the starting stage of something that could be interesting but it is really lacking and unfinished right now.

It's a bit timid in that there is an attempt to add shading but stops with just the shadow. For example, why is the cigar the same value as the background? The actual band is white but we know the cigar is many, many shades darker, so why isn't the cigar represented that way? Think of how you perceive a cigar- what are your first impressions? Color? Then represent these as dark or light. Go back and be bold with your shading.

Wrapper lines are much too prominent also. Do they usually jump out at you when you look at a cigar or do they disappear into the overall color? Detail is important but recognize when they should be present and when they are superfluous.

Straight lines vs. 'jittery'. The outline of the cigar has been carefully drawn to show smooth curves and straight lines whereas the band is the opposite. Do one or the other not both, otherwise the drawing looks disjointed.

If you are going to incorporate shading into your drawings, a valuable lesson for you might be photograph an object, convert it to grey scale on your computer and draw and sketch from that. It will help you to identify value/tone.

Try some drawing exercises such as drawing an object without lifting your pencil or looking at the page. It will help you to see and give confidence to your drawing.

Hope this helps. All IMHO.

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by the nub

IMHO I would go even further and say this is a line drawing with some tonal value added. I think this drawing is the starting stage of something that could be interesting but it is really lacking and unfinished right now.

It's a bit timid in that there is an attempt to add shading but stops with just the shadow. For example, why is the cigar the same value as the background? The actual band is white but we know the cigar is many, many shades darker, so why isn't the cigar represented that way? Think of how you perceive a cigar- what are your first impressions? Color? Then represent these as dark or light. Go back and be bold with your shading.

Wrapper lines are much too prominent also. Do they usually jump out at you when you look at a cigar or do they disappear into the overall color? Detail is important but recognize when they should be present and when they are superfluous.

Straight lines vs. 'jittery'. The outline of the cigar has been carefully drawn to show smooth curves and straight lines whereas the band is the opposite. Do one or the other not both, otherwise the drawing looks disjointed.

If you are going to incorporate shading into your drawings, a valuable lesson for you might be photograph an object, convert it to grey scale on your computer and draw and sketch from that. It will help you to identify value/tone.

Try some drawing exercises such as drawing an object without lifting your pencil or looking at the page. It will help you to see and give confidence to your drawing.

Hope this helps. All IMHO.

Very good info
I see all of your points. I may have to mess around a bit more with this to see if I can improve upon it.

[irratebass]

Isn't art in the eye of the beholder as well?

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by irratebass

Isn't art in the eye of the beholder as well?

Yes, it is. But he was looking for comments and I made a point to say that "to me" it wasn't.

[irratebass]

Originally Posted by wayner123

Yes, it is. But he was looking for comments and I made a point to say that "to me" it wasn't.

Understood That's why I don't really get art, I don't always see what I should and I don't know how to preceive it sometimes that it just frustrates me, but I see your point.

[14holestogie]

Looks fine to me, Shane. Growing up surrounded by artistic siblings and other family with not a lick of skill in me, I appreciate your work for what it is. With that said, I think once you get past the sketching phase and into bringing something original from within you to the pad or canvas, that's when you'll really get some accolades.

[lawrand]

We are not the first group to ever ask "What is art?". Probably few topics have been more debated excepting "What is the best caliber - 9mm or 45ACP?". While some like wayner123 may not view the simple pencil sketch as "art", the sketch strikes an emotional chord in Mickey and he sees art. Opinions differ, that gives flavor to life.

Whether or not we will agree if it is art, I suspect most,if not all of us will agree that you are an "artist". I say this because of the work you have done on your avatars and their reception in this forum. That work really stands on it's own.

Whatever anyone thinks of your sketch (and I like it very much), I believe that it is only a seed that has been planted and that you certainly have the talent to grow that seed and if it is not "art", it will most certainly lead to "art".

Please do not think I am being flippant or sarcastic, because I'm not. You have the beginnings of a dream and some talent. Pursue that dream. If the art is in you, it will surface.

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by irratebass

Understood That's why I don't really get art, I don't always see what I should and I don't know how to preceive it sometimes that it just frustrates me, but I see your point.

Yep it's cool that people can draw and paint but more often than not..... I don't get it.

That said looks good.

[irratebass]

Originally Posted by Bill86

Yep it's cool that people can draw and paint but more often than not..... I don't get it.

That said looks good.

[WittyUserName]

Shane, that is awesome!! Keep up the good work. I love pencil sketches, my grandfather used to sketch his grandchildren and I have a few of them.

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by WittyUserName

Shane, that is awesome!! Keep up the good work. I love pencil sketches, my grandfather used to sketch his grandchildren and I have a few of them.

That is awesome, make sure you protect those. Those sound like something you want to keep and pass down!

[Ogre]

IMO it is art. Its a skill that not all have. Some people would consider the shed I built art. Its all in what you consider it to be. I like what you have done.

[mkarnold1]

Nice matting and a black frame and I would put that on my man room wall.