If you’ve made a portrait of a portrait and some really random fashion item from stuffs wasting away in your room, then you’ve already followed weeks one and two of my Unemployment Project of the Week. Congratulations. Here’s to week three, another portrait, but more unique.
First, I went to my sketchbook (and I propose you do, too) and tried to draw a single book, just to see if it was easy as I expected. Mine looked very elegant, as you can see:
but it was not as easy as I had expected. It is very, very difficult to create fonts with your own pen, and also space anything correctly. And, as you can see, I also have difficulties with straight lines, coloring in, and making my book look profound and shocking. Nonetheless, I was determined.
I chose a specific piece of my bookshelf and, admittedly, did a little re-arranging. You can decide. I took a large piece of paper and began sketching. In the end, I scanned my sketch into the computer and filled it in with colors in photoshop. I was delighted with the result, and later made them into little notecards which I find particularly personal, because they are drawn by me and they reveal an important piece of me: what I’m reading, have read, or plan to read.
If you think you lack even the artistry shown above (which is, admittedly, spectacular), then I suggest you take a photo portrait of a piece of your bookshelf or your books in some-such-way. As my college roommate can attest, I have a strange and somewhat disturbing affinity for stacking my books on top of each other and admiring them.
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16 Responses for "Unemployment Project of the Week: Create a Portrait of your Bookshelf"
your bookshelf drawing looks great! I love the lean in the middle. But I know you don’t have extra space on your shelves in real life! <3 Also love the one with what is the what. the penguin looks great!
The top on is actually Jane Mount’s — she just happens to own all the children’s books I books I do! You are right — there is zero empty space on my bookshelf, and, in fact, books are stacked both horizontally and vertically.
I am floored by the accuracy of your book portraits. Good work. I recognized them all at a glance without even reading their titles.
And you do loooovve your book stacking. It’s true :o)
I really like this. If only I had the drawing skills that you have.
Ah, thanks Tricia & Bethan!!! (Accuracy is produced more by time than skill, I can assure you.)
What’s that middle book, Maria? I love the typography on it! Great job!
The middle book is Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth, a graphic novel by the fantastic (if slightly depressed…) Chris Ware.
Chris Ware is a contemporary champion of the graphic novel. He is editor of the Acme Novel Library and also edited the wonderful issue 13 of McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern — dedicated to “comics” or “graphic stories” with a fold-out cover designed by him.
That is all probably TMI!
Wow, your portrait is amazing!
Also (AFTERTHOUGHT!), I like how you can see a ghostly Frida Kahlo in your sketch book scan.
Thanks Ms Constantine!
Tricia: I am surprised you noticed the ghostly Frida! How observant. I was thinking of mentioning it, and then linking back to my Frida post, but I thought maybe that would be getting too detailed and confusing.
For serious, that’s my bookshelf (with “what is the what” etc.)! Craziness! ;)
Ah-ha! THAT’s why that book looks so familiar! It’s been begging me to buy it every time I visit the graphic novel section. I’m basing my decision to one day read it purely on the spine’s design.
Yay Jade, I love when people have the same taste in books as I do!
Lorraine, get the book! I kept STARING at it in bookstores. It’s so cool and worth it. I love the concept of a graphic novel.
Those portraits are wonderful! You did a fantastic job.
I love Olivia.
[...] of all, YES I made a Catcher in the Rye wallpaper / desktop background! YES I am still painting books. What are you going to do?! I read, write, and paint books. I can’t help it!!! (If you [...]
[...] been keeping up with my Unemployment Projects, you already know I’ve a penchant for drawing books (check that post out if you want some tips on book-drawing). In fact, I am so obsessed that I have [...]
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