A collection of doodles with a bit of commentary by RICK GREEN - your cartooning friend

Friday, March 27, 2009

Rejected

I'm not sure that I should be posting this illustra- tion. It is one that I drew nearly a year ago, but the client didn't like it.

If you've read my blog you know that this is not the first time that someone was unsatisfied with what I had drawn. It's never enjoyable when it that happens. For this particular client I pretty much gave up on making a second effort.

You want to hear the story? I figured you would...

This drawing was meant to be an anniversary gift for the client's parents. She requested an illustration of them traveling in their motor home. As, I have said before, I don't like drawing autos, or machinery of any kind. It has to be done just right. I have learned to just trace whatever machine is involved and then add the rest. But, for this concept I wanted to draw it free hand because I wanted to be looking at the motor home from below. Plus I wanted to give it a perspective with the front end looming much large than the rear. (Do you follow me?) It took me a lot of time to get it right—drawing, then erasing, and redrawing again.

On top of that, I ended up having to draw this illustration larger than I normally do. That's because it's difficult to get many details on a face when the subject of the illustration is riding in an auto. Often I have just drawn the subject sticking their head out the window, just so that I can make the face large enough for proper details. I didn't think that would look right for this drawing. So, in order to make the faces large enough I had to draw the whole piece larger—more time involved when I do that.

I was really proud how this one turned out, and looked forward to reading the response from the client. But the response wasn't so positive.

Here were the issues as I remember them...

1. She said that she didn't like the fact that her parents were driving over a cliff (Lover's Leap). When will I learn to stop taking comedic risk like that in these illustration? Not everybody has the same strange sense of humor that I do. I might have guessed that someone wouldn't want to see their parents driving over a cliff. That was my fault, but I still think it's pretty funny.

2. She said that her mother normally does the driving. Not my fault. I wasn't told that little bit of information, and if it is important then by all means tell me.

3. She said that the illustration didn't particularly look like her parents. But she did say that they did look like the photos she had sent me of her parents. What? Again, not my fault. When you send me photos people please send ones that you think look like the person that I am suppose to be illustrating. It's a little impossible to draw a face that I can't see.

4. She didn't like the plate I put on the front:"Honeymoon Wagon." Ok, I'll take the blame for that one, I guess. She suggested an alternative text there. I don't remember what it was, but hey... a bit picky here aren't we?

She asked me to draw another one, but I spent so much time on this one, and there were so many other people on my waiting list, I decided to put a second effort off and, well, I never got back to it.

I actually don't know if this particular client ever even visits my blog anymore. She's probably been done with me months. I don't want to reopen old wounds, but, well I guess I thought this would make an interesting post for you to read.

So that's my story. Now, anyone want to buy a doodle of someone else's parents driving over a cliff?

24 comments:

KittyMeow said...

I find it strange that someone is so unappreciative of the work you put into a piece of art. It's certainly not easy drawing cars and machinery. Maybe she just wasn't that committed to actually following through with the project...odd. I like your drawing :-)

Shawn said...

Ahahahaha...great drawing but it is kinda reminiscent of Thelma and Louise. I'm not so sure I'd want to be reminded of my aging parents 'end of the road' either.

Love that you have Lover's Leap and Honeymoon Wagon on it though. We are never to old...'nuff said.

Harbor Hon said...

I think it's excellent. Reminds me of elderly free wheelin' risk takers and the fact that the honeymoon is never over. Wow! You did put a lot of work into this too. The detail is superb and you did well with freehanding the RV. Sorry the client didn't appreciate it too. Some people just don't have a sense of humor, but we can't do anything about that, can we? Just go with the flow dude; your talent shines through in every piece. xxoo

MaBunny said...

LOL, No, I don't want a drawing of someone elses parents but I agree she should have told you what she wanted , or didn't want, instead of picking the drawing you did do to death ! I like it !

Reddirt Woman said...

maybe deep in her heart she kind of identified with her folks going "over the cliff" and felt guilty for it so therefore picked on you...

Just a thought.

Dot O said...

I feel your pain here. I like the drawing very much and if my parents traveled in an RV, I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

I had a similar thing happen years ago with a drawing I did. My brother was a middle man and met a woman whose parents were going to some island for their anniversary. She was throwing a going away party and wanted a card drawn. He asked me if I'd be willing to do it. I said "sure" and did. I spent many hours on it and thought it was a neat caricature. He liked it, they hated it. So, that was the end of that.

Chris H said...

I can see where she was coming from on this one. It obviously took quite some time to draw, shame it was rejected. Eggy not to be found!

Justabeachkat said...

Hi Rick

Gosh, it's been awhile since I've stopped by. Bad me! Life has been crazy busy, plus we were out of town for 15 days. Anyhoo, I've had fun catching up with you. Lots of good stuff, including this one...hmmmm..not sure why she didn't like it. Just move on.

Hugs!
Kat

Erika Jean said...

lol
maybe you could try to send it in, or sell it to an RVing magazine and see if thy stick it in there!

Anonymous said...

I love the doodle. My inlaws live six months in Texas in a huge motor home. I cracked up at the details in the drawing and found it to be just like my inlaws.

Yeah, some of us have wacked out humor, but it makes for an interesting world.

Great job buddy!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

I guess i have a strange sense of humor too as I like it and I think my parents would like it too if they had a truck like that~ I have had you put cars and tractors in each of our drawings and love how each came out they make me giggle every day when I see them ... I miss corys as he took it with him when he moved out :( sniffs!
keep up the good work rejects and all!

Living With Cavemen said...

Ha! I looked at it & it reminded me of my in-laws! I got a good chuckle.

I heard on the news today that some guy in England followed his GPS down a wooded path and almost over a cliff. Ok, I'm with you, I think the drawing is FUNNY!

MapDoc said...

Hey Rick -- being a "motor homer" I love it! Too bad "she" didn't appreciate it but we all do. Linked to it so at least my family can see it! We're moving our rolling house your way slowly!

Me (aka Danielle) said...

Her Loss! I really like it!

GE is me said...

Um, not so much on the purchase, but I liked your sense of humor. :) If it had been my folks, I'd have liked it.

Anonymous said...

Now I have a couple of neighbours that have a motorhome. They don't look anything like the two you drew and I think Dorothy might have a 'turn' at the thought of Honeymoon wagon, but otherwise it would be great!

Just framed your pic today, now trying to work out where to hang it. We have limited wall space.

It looks lovely!

Debbie said...

I can think of a lot of people I'd love to see driving off a cliff. Le me think about it:)

Unknown said...

FAVO,you very creative.I think every thinking is one original."every thinking important"

Anonymous said...

Well I think it was very well drawn! It kinda reminded me of my parents. Only my Mom would have been yelling at my Dad to slow down and shaking her finger at him. LOL Keep up the good work I love your doodles!

Shannon said...

My hubby might take you up on that offer.... drawing my folks heading over a cliff. lol :)

Alice said...

i think it's awesome and she should have paid you for it!

Possum Princess said...

Your drawing is AWESOME!!! :)
Who wouldn't like it?!?

Amy Jo said...

While I might find it funny if I were in the RV going off a cliff, I guess I can see where seeing my folks do it might not seem so funny. Oh well. You can't please everyone all the time. I think that the drawing is great! And I have to confess that it did make me snicker even if they are driving off a cliff. :) Take heart...I am sure that your art has been loved enough by many to make up for one "unsatisfied" person!

marianne said...

No sense of humor I guess this client......
I think she must have known your work when she comissioned you, so haveing all these 2nd thoughts afterwards is her mistake not yours.
Sorry for all the work you have put into to it!
I love this image, so full of excitement and humor.
Well it made a great post!
Have a nice weekend!