Or One Line (and a Multitude of Brushstrokes) of Thought
Right time to get going on this cover no more putting it off why did I tape off such a huge format for a trade paperback is beyond me but there’s no help for it now first wet the whole sheet oh no the brush still has last picture’s colours in it quick wash the thing no don’t use soap this time or you’ll get residue in the colour clean the sink later what colour is the border green why did the designer choose green of all colours stick to purples and ochres then where’s the light pink where’s a clean plate only dirty ones no matter just put a big puddle of pink in it it’ll cover the rest light-coloured mist at the bottom over the steps keep the paper white get some movement in the swirling clouds and mist the paper is coming up in mountains already I didn’t stretch it tight enough but if I do it’ll split when I take if off oh no there’s a stain of some kind RIGHT in the middle no matter put the dragon’s wing over it or a spike or spine or something “I’ll clean the sink as soon as I’m done! Use the downstairs bathroom for now” warm up the area behind him where’s the prussian blue I saw it a minute ago oh no the cap is stuck where have the paper towels gone quick the other brush, the one shaped like a fan thank goodness the paper is staying wet damp day today it’d already be dry normally can’t wet it again or I’ll lose the texture in the clouds build up more movement in the swirling stuff don’t let it get too dark tilt the board maybe man this thing weighs a ton where’s something to put under it oh no the colour is pooling in a valley the sheet is really like a mountain range a sort of cellulose sierra a hot-pressed himalaya “Can you get the phone? No I can’t I can’t leave this right now” Keep the colour from settling check the whole sheet can’t see what’s wet from this angle practically have to crawl up on the table to see the light reflected on it from the window turn off the lamp it’s not helping “Who? Tell them to call back in five minutes” Ouch should’ve shifted that pile of books “No, on second thought I’ll call them back” Where is that roll of paper towels don’t put the brush in your mouth for goodness’ sake where’s the hair dryer get that spot near the edge before it leaves a mark you can work that bit up later on there’s no point trying to re-dampen the page fix that spot there soften that brush mark before it sets no prussian blue put ultramarine if I must no no ultramarine either can’t use turquoise use sky blue instead what happened to that ochre anyway just another touch in there I think it’s the right spot can’t see the pencil sketch any more hope it’s where it goes quick catch that puddle “I’ll be down in a minute yes I know it’ll be cold” Get it darker in the corner while it’s still possible of course the miserable airbrush is still clogged in fact it’s been clogged as long as I can remember now because I only think to use it in the midst of a picture realize it’s clogged and forget it until I need it again when of course there’s once more no time to clean the thing there’s only sepia mix it with the ochre and the sky blue we’ll what happens a few more tendrils of smoke in the middle it’s almost too dry right that’s enough there’s another puddle where is the hair dryer again ow those damn books.
Elapsed time: likely not more than 5 minutes
Subjective time: a short portion of eternity
Ischia
Ischia is a beautiful island off the coast from Naples, and just to make it even better they have a film festival, to which I’m VERY much looking forward.
With permission of the organisers, here’s the press release:
THE MAGIC OF “LORD OF THE RINGS” AT THE ISCHIA FILM FESTIVAL
In the rich programme for this third edition of the Festival dedicated to locations and movie tourism, a meeting not to be missed for all those lovers of the literary and film saga which has bewitched the people of the world.
John Howe and Alan Lee are the two people responsible for giving form, colour and life to the Middle Earth of Tolkien, to his fabled and epic universe, to his characters who are forever fixed in our collective imagination. It was a risky endeavour which they had already worked on with success even before the film trilogy came into being.
Winner of an Oscar for the third and last episode of the saga directed by Peter Jackson, Howe and Lee will take part in the round table debate “the role of a location in an audiovisual work”, underlining the importance of the locations used and revealing the secrets which contributed to making the world aware of the extraordinary country which is New Zealand, as well as the creativity, willingness and ingenuity of a people who believed right to the end in such a monumental and internationally acclaimed project.
Grant Major, production designer of the film said of Alan Lee and John Howe: “Their contribution to the project was absolutely fundamental. They gave us the Pre-Industrial Age look and feel of Middle Earth and they brought the most intimate knowledge of Tolkien lore to their work.”
Time to get working on my speech.
Screening
THERE AND BACK AGAIN: Friday July 1, 2005
“There And Back Again” will be shown at the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival on July 1st at 4 pm. It will be showing in the cinema APOLLO 3. (I think the number three indicates the number of seats, so if you’re in the area and want to go, best reserve early.)
It will be followed by a Q & A, so I’ll be there (although I have seen it already…)
For more information: [url=http://WWW.NIFFF.CH]http://WWW.NIFFF.CH[/url]
Opening
The opening of the exhibition in Carouge will be as announced: Monday June 27th at 6 p.m.
Place de Sardaigne, 2 / 1227 Carouge
Tel : 022 342 33 83 Fax : 022 342 33 81
musee@carouge.ch
Parking : Place de Sardaigne
Public transport : Trams 12 et 13, get off at: Marché
Out & About
Last week, did a little Q & A/debate/presentation at the University of Neuchâtel for a seminary entitlled “From Grendel to Gollum, Tolkien’s Medieval Sources”. While this kind of thing is great fun (as the audience is generally willing to excuse my inexperience, sympathize with my nervousness, and in this case, tag along and endeavor to comprehend my wayward English) it also ends up being a useful exercise in trying to formulate what comes instinctively. These brief excursions into the rarified realm of attempted coherence are stimulating and usually don’t require climbing equipment or oxygen, though I am happy to get back on level ground afterwards.
More to the point, there is now a new section on the site: OUT & ABOUT, where those weary of sifting tediously through the silt of the News section for the odd nuggest of information will now be able to find it listed clearly in a sub-category of its own. Hopefully, this will also help me not to never ever again totally forget an event I promised to attend, only to run for the airport with luggage consisting only of my sketchbook, a toothbrush and half of a few pairs of socks…
