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Illustration Friday: Suspense

"suspense - state of uncertainty" (English Dictionary)

The suspense was killing them... was she going to make it? Luckily, she was being suspended by a safety harness (bungi rope?)... just in case.
Suspense - hand drawn using 0.2 black felt tip pen and coloured in Photoshop. The spiral background was created using watercolour on paper, which was then scanned onto the Mac and a radial blur filter applied in Photoshop. 
Suspense... Alfred Hitchcock. Spiral. Nail biting. Scary movie. Jaws theme music. Scream! Walking on a tight rope? Why am I writing in short, sharp sentences? The answer to the last question is because writing in short, abrupt sentences creates drama and suspense (this was actually a question in my daughter's homework this week...). The answer to the first question is, I have always found watching tight rope walkers very stressful and suspenseful (is that a word?!) especially when they're way, way up in the sky between two skyscrapers - why would anyone want to do that?!

So, I imagined Skinny Girl walking across a tight rope, with only her artwork to help balance, eyes closed (she can't watch), feeling extremely anxious about falling off into the spinning abyss for ever more... obviously she's in a complete state of uncertainty. Lets just hope that safety rope is attached to something secure and not an unexpected big scary nail biting movie type thing... AHHHH!
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Comments

  1. Anonymous8 February 2012 at 09:21

    I like the style! Makes me smile!

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  2. Sylvia Liu8 February 2012 at 09:37

    This is cute. At first I thought she was holding her trusty tablets that she couldn't part with. Great job.

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    1. Unknown9 February 2012 at 13:30

      Actually you're right - she can't part with them so might as well use them to keep balance!

      Delete
  3. Rita8 February 2012 at 18:36

    very nice, i love her!

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  4. Anonymous9 February 2012 at 04:10

    I love how her artwork is what keeps her balanced!

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    1. Unknown9 February 2012 at 13:31

      That is so true in so many ways... thanks for your comment.

      Delete
  5. Cindy D.9 February 2012 at 07:01

    I know her name is Skinny Girl but I don't believe she is human, which is good! I believe that bodes well for her eventual success in the face of these great odds. Such long limbs and her regal bearing suggest a creature with very quick reflexes. (Which is not to say she doesn't believe she is a human girl. Maybe raised by humans, for instance.) Her hair would certainly be the envy of all human girls, I should think! I really like the background, it's very mysterious (and also a much better scary vortex thing than the one I tried to make this week!)

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    1. Unknown9 February 2012 at 13:39

      You're right! She is pure imagination, the fragile psyche, super ego and self consciousness all rolled into one completely unrealistic looking character. Super extended limbs, hair and nose and over-sized feet and hands - the only thing she has really got going for her is her long flowing hair (every girls dream) and elegant poise. No one in their right mind (more likely left) would actually walk around completely naked - I hope.

      Delete
  6. Wilnara9 February 2012 at 07:32

    I'm holding on to my seat.... anticipating she makes it off the tight rope! I love her poise while she keeps me in SUSPENSE! Nicely done!!!

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    1. Unknown9 February 2012 at 14:34

      Thanks Wilnara. She possilby should have her eyes open though...

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  7. Sheryl McClure-Pitler9 February 2012 at 07:43

    I was captivated by the thumbnail picture - What is that??? She has a very cool look - confident in her abilities. The suspense is for the audience! Like the swirling vortex.

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    1. Unknown9 February 2012 at 14:40

      Thanks Sheryl. Are you talking about the thumbnail which is my avatar? Go to the IF Twirl post for a full image and explanation.

      Delete
  8. Angel9 February 2012 at 11:02

    So great! When I asked my honey what he'd draw for suspense he said a tight-rope walker! Great minds...
    Very nice. I love the safety harness too.

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  9. Unknown9 February 2012 at 14:42

    Trapese artist would be the other one... definitely up there with tight rope walking!

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  10. Amalou9 February 2012 at 16:29

    Love the swirly background. If the lady had shorter hair and a much bigger bum, she would look like our Prime Minister. And I believe she is also balancing on a tightrope.

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  11. Unknown9 February 2012 at 16:34

    But then she'd have to be wearing clothes... ;)

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  12. Elizabeth Rose Stanton10 February 2012 at 16:01

    Skinny Girl has us all feeling the suspense! Nice illo!!

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