2010 June | Keren Taggar - Drawing Diary

Archive for June, 2010

Karamanlis, or Something Like That

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

In “Which Moped with Chrome-plated Handlebars at the Back of the Yard?”, Georges Perec writes about a soldier named Karamanlis, 0r something like that (the author himself is not quite sure), who is trying to get out of the army, with the help of his friends back in Paris.

His name may be uncertain, but the way he dresses is described really well. You can understand this character just by reading about the clothes he wears. I couldn’t resist the temptation to draw him, although now I think he should be taller and his hair neater…

Posted in black ink, books, colored pens, green moleskine | 3 Comments »

Still Stuck

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

And it feels kind of stupid to create work about not feeling like creating work…

Posted in black ink, typography | 4 Comments »

Levitate Me

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

The Pixies were supposed to perform here in Tel-Aviv tomorrow, but they canceled as an act of political protest. Before returning my ticket (the “limited edition”, ordered on the first day of sales ticket) – I wanted to draw it, to have something to remember this by.

I will never forget the first time I heard the Pixies. It was ‘Where is my Mind’ (naturally), and it was the first song on the first mix-tape made to me by first boyfriend – I think I fell in love with him and with the band simultaneously.

Posted in black ink, colored pens, music, pencil, Tel-Aviv, typography | 4 Comments »

NYLON-ing

Sunday, June 6th, 2010

Today I got my copies of the July issue of NYLON magazine, which is ‘the music issue’.
It looks really great, but I’m too excited to read it right now, because my illustration is in it.
I kind of hate how it turned out, but I try to understand I’m not objective right now, with my strange, dark mood. Anyway, this is the illustration:
I did another version in ink, because I wasn’t sure the pencil is strong enough:

But the guys at NYLON preferred the pencil version. Here is the actual spread:

Posted in black ink, magazines, music, pencil | 11 Comments »

The First Really Good Grapes of Summer

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

And a song for Saturday, ‘Northern Sky’ by Nick Drake – his gentleness has no end…

Posted in colored pens, music, nature, pencil | 1 Comment »

Artist’s Block

Friday, June 4th, 2010

This last week has been strange. Despite my efforts, I can’t draw – like the knowledge is lost.

A friend I told this about answered: this might be an opportunity to try new things or to draw differently. I like how she turned the situation into a positive thing.

This stranger ↑ is one of the many things I started this week but didn’t know how to finish.

Posted in black ink, paint, pencil | 6 Comments »

Thanks Anthony

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Woodblock poster by British graphic designer Anthony Burrill (I’m a total sucker for inspiring quotes). See more of this series here – it will probably make you feel good.

Posted in artists, typography | Comments Off

The Man Who Planted Trees

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

The new book I illustrated is finally out. I can’t wait to see it, but at the same time it’s kind of scary. I’m sure I will see only the flaws in it at first.

Working on this book was pretty amazing. The text is simple and beautiful, by French writer Jean Giono, and I pretty much got a free hand from the editor to do whatever I want.

This book was illustrated at least twice before (I know of the American and French versions) and there’s also an animated film based on the story, which is supposed to be very good.

I actually didn’t want to see any of the other visual treatments the text got, to avoid being too influenced, but now when the work is done, it could be very interesting.

Anyway, if you’re in Israel and in a book store – take a look, hope you’ll like it.

Posted in black ink, books, nature, pencil | 9 Comments »