Tango is a very specific word, so for me, that didn’t translate into a lot of different meanings…humph…that was my thinking! Tango, I thought, well, I’ll do a couple, dancing a classic tango move.
Well, I can’t begin to tell you how this simple thought turned into an illustration, that wore me out! 
First, I drew a profile of a woman. I then cut it out using black paper. Next, I drew a rose on a piece of scrap watercolor paper, painted it with ink and water color. Then I drew and outline of a couple doing a tango move and then collaged it, using this week’s newspaper coupons. All that was so much fun!
Then, the frustration hit the fan! First, I could not scan it, since it was too big for my scanner and I don’t know how to piece two scans together (yeah, I should, but I don’t!).
Next, I tried to photograph it and the gloss from the collaging, caused too many glare spots on the digital shot. This went on for a couple of hours, me repositioning the illustration, realizing my lighting inside was awful; and then going outside to photograph my creation.
That didn’t work either!
I came back inside, determined to tear the creation up and forget about the prompt for this week!
Oh, did I mention, I went outside, without showering, a T-shirt over my nightgown and flipflops on with my hair sticking up all over my head, looking like I’d stuck my hand in an electrical socket! I stood in the middle of our parking lot complex, to take this digital photo, and folks, I don’t care who saw me! (there goes making a first good impression, I just moved here!)
I re-cut the silhouette and painted it with black gouache, (used a blow dryer to dry it quickly). Then I cut all the figures out again and put them on a white background. I started the digital photo process again! Finally, after many words, that I can’t print here!
Voila…TANGO!
I finally had a photo I could use!
So here you have it, a simple illustration with a lot of hours putting it all together! So my vibe for the week is patience!
Persevere, my friends, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Peace.
Tags: collage, Construction paper, coupons, Digital, drawing, Frustration, Goauche, Illustration Friday, Indigene, Indigeneart.com, ink, mixed media, newspaper, painting, Photo, Tango, watercolor
July 19th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
LOL..you outside not caring a bit what you looked like - all for the love of art. I just love that!
Thank you for starting my Sunday so happily…your piece is a great testament to persistence - and I enjoy hearing about your love of the process…awesome. : )
July 19th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Wow! That’s what I call perseverance. Well, it paid off because a lot of people including myself are admiring it. I adore the silhouette!
July 19th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I like this one Indigene! Sillouhettes are so hard to convey emotion with, I think, but you definitely captured the spirit of the tango with these!
July 19th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Thank you for your kind comment! I really, really like your couple dancing. Too bad the picture is so small, I would have like to see more of the details in all the textured color. Thanks for sharing!
July 19th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I like the two dancers in the background. The story behind the illustration made me smile, thank you!
July 19th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Well all that hard work was definitly worth it, i think this is lovely!!! I love the sillouhette, what a great idea. And thanks for the visual, it’s nice to know that it’s not just me that comes across these kinds of obstacles, I’m sure your neighbours will forgive you ;0) x
July 19th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
I like the graphic simplicty of this very much - really effective!
July 19th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I’m digging the rose in the teeth!
July 19th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Well it came out fabulous so all that work was worth it in the end. Do you have Photoshop? stitching a large scan is relatively easy–I can talk you through it if you are interested.
July 20th, 2009 at 2:10 am
wowee!! i guess your creative block is over now!
July 20th, 2009 at 6:38 am
beautiful!
July 20th, 2009 at 10:48 am
You rock, girl! All that mad whirl to bring this to fruition was worth it - this is a winner, Indigene. You have captured the essence of the dance beautifully. Gorgeous.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I’m so glad you persevered. This is one beautiful illustration. You Rock! I understand completely about the glare and the horrible lighting on the inside. I fight with that all the time and it probably has kept me from doing the collage thing as much as I’d like. Shiny paper becomes a nightmare when you’re trying to photograph something with regular house lights.
Thank you so much for dropping by my blog and for the kind, hilarious, and encouraging comments. Have a great week as well, my dear!
July 20th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I re-read your “process” to get your creation. I wouldn’t worry about the neighbor’s first impression of you. When they find out you’re an artist, they’ll understand. They’ll just think “free-spirit looney” and you’ll get a free pass. I’ve lived in my house for 22 years and I don’t give a shit what the neighbors think of me.
Your illustration is still very cool.
July 20th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
All of your hard work was worth it, because the end result is fantastic! This illustration is complex in creation, yet simple and elegant. I’ll admit that I had a great laugh when I read about you in the parking lot. That’s some dedication! Thanks for stopping by my blog, and I’ll be looking forward to reading more of your zany art adventures!
July 20th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Glad you dug in your heels and perservered. Lovely to see your beautiful finished work. I especially like the collaged part.
July 20th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
LOL! Been there done that! I will jump through many hoops to make things work! My husband call me the female Harry Nilsson because I have a habit of walking around in a bathrobe that is covered in paint… real attractive
You made me laugh and your art is always a wonderful addition to my day!
July 20th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
This came out beautifully! Worth all the effort and patience!
July 20th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Oh, what an ordeal, but worth it for this creative piece!
I love your posts!!! Always so interesting. I have gone outside in my pajamas many times, but not for art’s sake…only to let my dog out.
Anyway, if you want to know how to piece things together in Photoshop, let me know and I can e-mail you directions. It will save you some trouble!!
July 20th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
the creative tango! What do they think? do you care? how to get it on the page? How to get a great photo/ Ahhhh so frustrating! But definitely worth all your perseverance. It has great composition and perspective!
July 20th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
great concept; like the contrast between the dark silhouette and dancers.
July 21st, 2009 at 12:08 am
I’m sweating for you, indigene! After all, your hard work did pay, thanks for sharing this beautiful image!
July 21st, 2009 at 3:12 am
lovely! and the story is too funny, I am sure your neighbors will be seeing more of that kind of goings on in the future
thanks for leaving a comment, which has happily lead me to your blog :–)
July 21st, 2009 at 10:52 am
I’m so glad you didn’t tear this up in your early stages of frustration! Fantastic work and I enjoyed reading the process. Challenges me to spend more time on these. Thanks.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Well it turned out quite nice… and if I’d have seen you out there I would have thought
“Truly the heart of an artist lives in that lady in the parking lot!!!”
July 21st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
This is so beautiful!! I just adore this romantic illustration. It’s beautiful. You make me want to tango! Fabu!!!
July 21st, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Great post — interesting concept and composition and a great message as well! Patience and perseverance, that’s the spirit!
July 21st, 2009 at 10:26 pm
It was work all the hasle! Great work! Love the design and colors.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Just love it - both the illustration and the determination! I too am glad you perservered. Thanks for your comments on my art blog too. It was great to visit yours.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:37 am
Lovely! Loved reading about the process. Ah-h the things we artists do for art. -Di
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:51 am
Beautiful story and illustration!
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:57 am
Your work is so beautiful. After all of that hard work, the tango piece came out wonderfully! It makes me want to dance!!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
way to put a new twist on the concept and work through a creative struggle! love the liveliness of the colorful figures, and the rose
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
What an effort! You made me smile seeing you dressed funny, you made me laugh in many places explaining your process. What a great finished peice! Thank you for a fun spot in my day!
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
The silhouette looks lonely; like she is looking in at a couple and wondering where her other half is. Very cool.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
It was all worth it! Great job on this weeks topic. And bravo for the monumental effort.
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I’m glad you didn’t let your negative thoughts take hold and destroy it. What a process! The end result was worth the work. Funny description of you outside taking photos of paper.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:53 am
IHi Indigene. We all have the creative block.
I am most positive after praying to God. Go out and take some rest and inspiration.
I never give up to be an artist…..Even though sometimes I just feel funny as why this block comes by………if we think positively and overcome it. It will be new perspective to see.
I am so happy that you are positive as always. Your words and illustration have inspired me to move further. Thanks Indigene:)
July 25th, 2009 at 10:54 am
fun images; sorry you had such a tango with the tango.
not sure if others mentioned it but it might help to get photoshop and use it to correct the lighting in your photos. I would be lost without it. a simple program to run and although classes are needed for more advanced processes; you can correct the lighting in a few seconds and resize it for the net.
July 25th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
dainty and poised silhouette… who the hell says -you- have a block?!?!?!
July 29th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Take care Indigene!
Happy weekends from Yoon See!