tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12189014.post114390695141110087..comments2024-03-28T18:17:09.618-04:00Comments on ILLUSTRATION ART: ONE LOVELY DRAWING, part threeDavid Apatoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11293486149879229016noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12189014.post-1144592219471947862006-04-09T10:16:00.000-04:002006-04-09T10:16:00.000-04:00That's a fair comment, Jeff. In a way it is a one...That's a fair comment, Jeff. In a way it is a one note drawing. Steinberg did many drawings that were a full symphony, but I picked this one to try to isolate that one note. In my opinion, it is a pure, beautiful and true note, like something plucked on a long ago lyre. <BR/><BR/>As for your analogy to Chris Ware, I also picked this drawing to show that I have no grudge against simple, mechanical line drawings of the type that Ware does. It is possible to do great work in that general style. However, I would distinguish Steinberg's drawing from Ware's work in three important ways. First, Steinberg has a much better sense of design. Second, Ware requires a mountain of drawings to come to a mole hill of a conclusion; one has to sift through page after page of his repetitive drawings to get much sense of movement. Steinberg, on the other hand, is a master of economy who draws immense ideas with a light and elegant approach. Finally-- and perhaps this is a matter of subjective taste-- I think that Ware has a very adolescent, self-centered, whining focus while Steinberg deals brilliantly with grand themes in the fresh air. Ware leaves me feeling stultified, while Steinberg leaves me feeling ennobled.David Apatoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11293486149879229016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12189014.post-1144264245583722582006-04-05T15:10:00.000-04:002006-04-05T15:10:00.000-04:00Neat. That's about all this illustration does for...Neat. That's about all this illustration does for me. I'm not saying I don't like it, but it does remind me Chris Ware. I'd love to have things pointed out that I'm missing, but to me it's just a one-note drawing.JeffPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09475683425819262604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12189014.post-1144253883371902772006-04-05T12:18:00.000-04:002006-04-05T12:18:00.000-04:00I understand your point, Bob. It does not show up ...I understand your point, Bob. It does not show up in this particular drawing, but one of the reasons I really like Steinberg is that some of his other work does have much more of a bravura side: grand, sweeping calligraphic flourishes in dense black ink, lovely watercolor horizons and personal fingerprint smudges. They are very different from the light drawing featured here. I just liked this one because it distilled a very rare attribute to its essence.David Apatoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11293486149879229016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12189014.post-1144198697260150242006-04-04T20:58:00.000-04:002006-04-04T20:58:00.000-04:00I can appreciate it intellectually, but it's hard ...I can appreciate it intellectually, but it's hard to love it. The more bravura drawing styles of Fawcett and Briggs appeal to me on more levels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12189014.post-1144076965355890712006-04-03T11:09:00.000-04:002006-04-03T11:09:00.000-04:00I am reminded of the work of Guy Billout - but I g...I am reminded of the work of Guy Billout - but I guess Saul Steinberg did it first. Fantastic post, David.leifpenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07232334860061949895noreply@blogger.com