Heroes

My deepest thanks go out to the hard working everyday folks on whom we depend to persevere through these challenging times.

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Color pencil on Bristol Board.
30.48 cm x 22.86 cm (12.00 in. x 9.00 in.)

With this piece, I attempt to focus on a few representive folks who aren’t hunkered down in their homes waiting out the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Folks who continue their essential work, so that a nation can best brave these times before a cure is found.

(L-R)

• Paramedics and first responders •

• Teachers •

• Scientists •

• Nurses and medical staff •

• Postal workers and delivery persons •

• Farmers •

• Grocers, restaurant owners and clerks •

• Shipping and transport workers •

I made a few conscious choices before proceeding with the drawing. The first was to depict representations of ordinary people and neither famous people or identifiable intellectual properties. The second was to depict a diversity of genders, ethnicities and body types.

There exists an aborted first rough composition that had a line-up of all the standing figures as fully drawn. Plainly, it was boring. In this version number 2, the cropping is tighter and the figures are placed at different levels, i.e. distances from the viewer/ camera. Artist tip, if your subjects are merely standing about, ask yourself if you really need to show their feet? The camera is positioned low, looking up at the group, making them feel more important.

The monochromatic nature of the piece was decided upon mid sketch, as this tonal stage reminded me of the white statues featured in the American Adventure theater in Epcot. Flanking each side of the theater seats are 6 figural stature representing the so-called spirit American values.