This project is a series created as my final Drawing 2 project at Washington University in St. Louis. The assignment was to create a series comprised of multiple panels of whatever we wanted, as long as we met a size requirement. The idea to draw these three guys began as a joke, actually. I sarcastically commented that drawing my ex boyfriends would be funny, and the more I thought about it, the more drawn to the idea I became. Each individual is drawn on colored paper that corresponds with their eye color, and they are arranged in chronological order. Only 2 of the 3 guys were my technical boyfriends, but the third individual created enough emotional rifts to be included in the project.
The collaged paper is real messages between each person and myself, although the text flow is not linear. I chose to include messages from both the good and bad times shared with each person. In this digital age, text messaging is a crucial aspect of relationships, and I wanted to share the dynamics we shared through texting.
Many people have asked me if I felt upset or frustrated by this process, and to be honest at times it was harder than others. Reading the texts was both especially rewarding and shaking because reading them transports you back to that time. Initially, drawing their faces shook me but it quickly became therapeutic. Also, the aid of upbeat playlists was not taken for granted.
Side note: As of 4:01pm on April 29th, 2015, only 1 out of the 3 depicted people know this project exists. That may change once this post is published....artistic risk is real...
[edited 10/1/2015]
[edited 10/1/2015]
I had previously exhibited all 3 portraits here but I've decided that once I open up this site to my social networks, I'd prefer not to have the second individual involved. Therefore, the images/process depicted below are only 2 out of the 3 works. Anders was actively involved with this project, sending me his own reference photo and giving me his blessing to include whatever I felt artistically inclined to use. As of 10/1/2015, Jack is not aware of his involvement in this project, but he may soon find out...
[edited 8/30/2016]
Jack knows. He wasn't thrilled.
The Ex Files (Anders). 2015. Chalk Pastel, Charcoal Pencil, Paper Collage, Rubber Cement. 2015.
Gridding out Anders. Beginning to fill in value with pinks and creams.
Further gridding and filling.
Starting to work out the eye shape and jacket coloration. My deep navy was mixed by layering black, dark turquoise and purples.
One of the final stages of Anders.
The Ex Files (Jack). 2015. Chalk Pastel, Charcoal Pencil, Paper Collage, Rubber Cement. 2015.
Very first outline of Jack. Diving into the project.
Began roughing in his skintones in oranges, tans and reds.
Creating the shape of his face through blocks of color.
A more resolved look at Jack's face, while I start working through what I want to do with his shirt.
Detail of Jack's eyes, which are eerily similar to his actual ones. Also shown: gridding string. Side note: His eyebrows and lashes were done with charcoal pencil because a fine tip was needed to achieve hair-like texture.
I'm really happy with the way the project came out. If I were to change anything, it would have been to spend more time on the second portrait. As you can see from the reference photos I used for his portrait, there's a likeness there but not as close to reality as I achieved with Anders' and Jack's portraits. This was the result of a time constraint. I'm very excited about having finished the project and the way each individual piece came out as their effect as a series.
