Screaming orange man

09 Giu Screaming orange man

Hey there,

Hey there dear friend, I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits. I wanted to share something that is close to my heart and that I have been working on lately. It’s a drawing I titled “Screaming Orange Man”. Let me explain everything to you and please bear with me because I have a lot to tell you here.

As always I will divide this letter of mine into paragraphs so you can read it more easily.

1. Objective description of the drawing.
2. Reason that encouraged me to paint this drawing.
3. Message conveyed by the work.
4. The technique used to create the work.
5. Personal final criticism.
   

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1) Objective description of the drawing.

First of all, the title: Screaming orange man I would start in the objective description of the drawing. Now you have to imagine: right in the center of the paper, there is this fat, rough-looking individual. He is crouched down and appears to be in a state of pure desperation. His body language demands attention, literally. His hands are pressed against the sides of the paper, trying to push them away, almost as if he is trapped and desperately wants to escape or avoid being crushed. His form, although humanoid, is highly stylized to emphasize the overall context I was aiming for.

Now, the character is completely naked and painted in a bright orange shade. Around this vivid figure is a black border made with charcoal, which creates a sharp contrast with the light blue background. The eyes of this screaming man are black and emotionless, and this adds to the disturbing atmosphere (that was my intention). His eyes look dull, almost lifeless, which might seem ironic given the desperate scream that comes out of his open mouth. His arms are disproportionately thin compared to his bulky body, his arms reaching towards the edges of the paper as if he were seeking freedom. Meanwhile, his legs are pressed tightly against his chest, further amplifying his confined state.

2) Reason that encouraged me to paint this drawing.

Dear Herin, you may ask yourself, why did I feel the need to create something so intense? Well, it’s deeply personal. I felt an overwhelming need to transform my anguish into visual form. Do you know that sometimes words aren’t enough? They fail to capture the raw essence of what I am going through. That was me at that moment. I wanted to drag the viewer into my emotional state, even if only for a moment. Creating this piece was my way of processing the turmoil I was feeling, hoping to transfer that raw, unfiltered emotion onto paper.

3) Message conveyed by the work.

The message behind this drawing is pretty layered. It’s part of my “communication in a box” series. This series is my attempt to delve into the human condition, particularly the self-imposed isolation we often retreat to as a defense mechanism. We’re in this era of ultra-connection, constantly bombarded with information, social media, and the relentless pace of modern life. Sometimes, it’s just too much. We end up distancing ourselves from a lifestyle that feels alien to us, or perhaps we’ve simply grown to dislike the life we’re leading. The drawing symbolizes that suffocating feeling, the urge to break free from the confines of a reality that doesn’t quite fit us anymore.

4) The technique used to create the work.

When it comes to the technique, I chose oil pastels and charcoal for this piece. The blend of these mediums allowed me to create the bold, contrasting colors and sharp edges that were essential for conveying the intensity of the scene. The drawing itself is relatively small, measuring just 12.9 x 9.4 inches. This wasn’t just a random choice – it was a necessity given my limited space. Living in a studio apartment means I have to be mindful of how much space my art takes up. Plus, I envisioned this piece being part of a series, displayed in small galleries in groups of three or four. The small size forces the viewer to get up close and personal, almost like confronting the raw emotions head-on.

5) Personal final criticism.

Now, for a bit of personal criticism. I know this drawing will probably never make it to prestigious places like the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin or the White Cube in London. And that’s okay. This piece was more about encapsulating my emotions at that specific moment in time. Between the initial draft and the final piece, I spent a mere two hours. It was an intense, almost cathartic process, and I think that raw immediacy is evident in the final result. It’s not polished, and it’s not perfect. But it is honest.

Anyway, I’d love to hear what you think about it. I value your perspective and your feedback always means a lot to me. Thanks for taking the time to read through this lengthy ramble. I hope it gave you a bit of insight into my world and the chaos that sometimes brews within.

Take care, and let’s catch up soon.

Warm regards,

Jean-luc

there are no reasons to be sad...when you draw!