''We Don't Need You Anymore...'' (ink on canvas - 70 x 90 cm)
Lots of details right? After many, many liters of coffee and a lot of hours later I finally finished this piece back in januari. Although I've shared this piece in my introduction already, I still wanted to make a post about it, since it took me quite some time and I want as many feedback/response as I can get. Making it was a journey on itself, but what really makes it come to life are the interpretations of others.
So let's get to it!
I started off just like I always do - no idea or concept whatsoever, just a random shape or in this case, a random character. I knew that it would be a very complex piece, so I made sure to begin right in the middle to leave enough space for ideas that had yet to come. ''But how do you know where to start with?'' Like I said, I start off with random shapes, but those are often shapes that turned into routines over time. That gives me the ability to start off quickly without any difficulty or creation blockage.
And so it began, inspiration floating all around me
Because I had left all the empty space around my draft, I could improvise and sketch it piece by piece. With some strategically thinking and a cup off black magical caffeine (yes I drink it too much) I started expanding, creating some sort of an artificial construct, looking like a portal of some kind. That intrigued me, so I took that as a rough concept.
From there I wanted the artificial looking construct to become a big and overwhelming machine, to give it the 'Star Wars' feel with the dominance of Artificial Intelligence. I figured it could also show a resemblance between the direction our world is going with it's tripled speed of the digital evolution. I took that concept to work from: The takeover of A.I. and it's might and mercilessness. A.I. can be seen as both positive or negative, as it is a versatile concept. But for the purpose of this artwork, I wanted to portray the possibility of a more grim outcome.
From draft to concept
My main focus was to enhance this artificial/machinal type of environment, consuming the living creatures with each their own unique appearances and features, only to be turned into a colorless controlled/programmed pawn. Therefor I added a lot of random shaped figures to underline this artificial feel.
I also added a space atmosphere above the construct, to prevent complete chaos on the overall looks of the artwork.
To add something extra to it, I added a typical 'Parental Advisory' sign, but slightly altered it's message.
End in sight
The most time consuming part was adding details and layers to highlight certain parts or to smoothen and balance the overall composition.
Literally thousands of simple pen dots were detailed on the sides of certain shapes or as fillings to create a texture. After that psychological challenge, my piece was as good as finished, my mind was broken.
Enhanced image
So what do you think? Is it too much chaos for your eyes? Or on the contrary, is it satifying instead? What does this artwork tell you, or mean to you?
I didn't want to make this post too long, so if there is any interest in close up photo's, I will happily make another post for those.
Feel free to upvote or resteem this post if you liked it. You can also follow me for future artworks and other content. Leave a comment and I'll be a happy man.
Have a great day and Steem on!
