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Old Spider Freehand
Published: 2002-08-11 22:47:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 5336; Favourites: 52; Downloads: 200
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Description
This is a drawing of Spider, a man I spent a lot of time with on my recent trip to Mornington Island, Australia. He's the oldest man on the island and one of the 6 or 7 remaining speakers of his quickly-dying language. As a linguistics graduate student, I was there with one of my professors helping Spider's tribe, the Lardil, to document and hopefully save their language from extinction.The photo I used as a reference can be found at [link] -- it's my photo, as well. More info on Spider is available at that link, too.
Black, white, brown, and grey Conte on brown Strathmore paper.
Comments and suggestions are, as always, greatly appreciated! Please add this to your favorites
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Comments: 80
Thank you for this picture, as an Australian myself its great to see someone who respects our indigenous culture in a way we Australians sometimes fail too... Your picture captures the essence of the struggle and sorrow for many indigenous cultures who are slowly losing their identities...
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excellent style.. background looks fine to me
.. you could play with it if u feel like it *rolls eyes*
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I can't believe that I didnβt comment last time I found this. Your work is incredible. The emotion is so sincere. It is as if he is wearing the history of his people on his face and carries their soul in his eyes. Fav!
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I love your attention to detail, fascinating!
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Joining the crowd to praise this beautiful drawing - such talent is worth the DD
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Great character and sense of wisdom through years.
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don't touch the background! with portraits like this they're best left to themselves.... and it's really a great portrait!
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Unbelieveable. The detail on the hair and the forehead is especially incredible. Awesome work.
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wowza!! that is just an amazing piece just exquisite detail......incredible talent
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hey i havnt seen an abo on devart yet.. this is a great painting.. i didnt really notie he was an aborigini because i see so many her in oz lol
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THE GREAT WITHANI DOES IT AGAIN! Congrats on the DD, and I LOVE the piece
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I see an aboriginal guy in the tunnels underneath the train station on my way to study everyday, and not even he could have captured the artistic brilliance you've just presented us with. That's some really great work!
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This is wonderful! I love the texture of the skin, the highlights are incredible. Excellent work.
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thats some superb work - his face implies a thousand stories...
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This is just simply amazing, can you help me lift my jaw off the ground?
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WOW! An amazing sketch with excellent definition, detail and coloring. I love the hair work you;ve done. It's all good! Definitely going on my favorites and watch list!
Cheryl
Come and Visit My Gallery...
[link]
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So much has been said that I would echo.
I love your strokes - they're very direct which avoiding heavy handedness. The mark of very confident motions. You've done a wonderful job with the textures and depth of skin. Just very good work.
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Excellent tone on this picture, what meduim were you using? I really love that theres such a captivating story behind this piece of art. Apsolutely wonderful
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Cant say anything that hasnt been said. Love it though.
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this looks awesome, youve really drawn him well... well deserved DD.
and it is a shame our aboriginal people's language is becoming extinct, but thanks to people like you, we might be able to save it!
unfortunately for me, the suburd in melbourne that i live in, it isnt populated much by aboriginies
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Oh. My. GAWD! its JUST LIKE THE PICTURE niceeeee! indeed!
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#This is a great pic .. I love the story behind it too! How'd the tribute get on? Did you learn much of the language? Please tell, I love hearing stories ~
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Congrats on the DD!
I love the way his face builds out from the paper. It feels like you could reach out and touch his skin. This stands out in its raw style. Very original. I haven't seen anything like it here on DA. Love the model, love the technique, love the image.
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yep, is a great work, and a great theme.. +fav!
well deserving
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why is this not on the daily favs? wait it doesn't have boobs
quite an interesting subject you chose to do, and damn, it came out very nicely
looks very realistic, love how the light is reflecting off his skin
great work on this
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This is amazing... I didn't know you could do that with conte.
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- Very Good And The BG Could Be With Tropical Treez
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really well done. art is the ultimate language.
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Wow. I just looked at the reference photo. You did a beautiful job. I thought it was amazing before, but it's so much like the photo. Erm. I'm babbling. I wish I had half the drawing talent. This is definitely a +fav for me.
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Both the subject and the drawing are absolutely beautiful. A very emotive and human piece, captured perfectly. The background doesn't need anything, but I'd play around with the tone a bit, get it less pink and slightly more earthy. :favlove:
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hmmn reading the comments i think im the only aboriginal writing to this particular drawing i really think youve captured my ppls essence and iwas amazed to see this in favs i think its just absolutely awesome and also further more what your actually doing for us is quite honourable and remarkable sadly i have to get off the comp but im gona add you to my favs and check you out later be back soon i really really like this * kisses * thank you our ppl all the help we can get well ok that makes us sound as if were like a third world ppl no were not what the hell am i ranting on for you prolly know wtf im trying to say anyway thanks again i speak on behalf of my ppl and if any other aboriginal aussies on deviants i hope yous like it too YIPPPEEE OFF I GO !!!!!!!!!! ZOOOOOOOOMMMM ... oh yeh wait a sec
check out me stuff hehe
[link]
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some light shading to the background is usually a nice thing to do, it creates a more depth in the picture and brings forth the motif.
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