July 16, 2007

119: Hippo!

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I haven't drawn in a little while. I needed some hippos in my life. So it seemed a touch like destiny when Illustration Friday upped and decided their theme-of-the-week would be discovery. That's a theme as vague and wide-ranging as it comes. Destiny also came in the form of a rare summer weekend spent largely kicking back and otherwise staying around the house. Plenty of time to draw, which hasn't been the case of late.

The above is a fairly straightforward interpretation of 'discovery' – and I'm not ashamed of that in the least. Anyone can be faulted at least once in their life for wanting to draw a hippopotamus. I'd never tried it myself, and this sketch almost got through with the beastie having quite humanoid feet before I realized that probably isn't the case with real live hippos. I added stitches late in the game in case anyone accused my hippo skillz of not representing – so I could retort with an oh yeah? well it's a toy hippo and a toy hippos can look however they want. That sort of deal.

If you want to see a better look at some of the pen detail in this illustration, check the larger version on my Flickr site here (click on 'all sizes' to magnify).


25 comments:

° said...

reminds me of the movie monsters nice illo

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

yup, I need some hippos in my life too. Great illo.

Vhrsti said...

So cute! Great illo!

Brine Blank said...

Hippos are so deceptively hard to draw...that is an awesome picture...great colors and layout.

Franfou said...

great illo ! I like the style !

bookbabie said...

Great illo, I could use a purple Hippo right about now:)

Bella Darkweaver said...

Everyone needs a purple hippo :). Love the illo, it's very funny and well done.

carla said...

You did a fine job with this one! I love how the hippo is soooo huge that he couldn't possibly fit through the door. I also like that the little girl doesn't seem freaked out... it's just another really cool thing in her world ! Great work! Glad you found the time to draw:>

Mary said...

This is so cute! I love the way he's all crammed into the closet like he was just waiting for someone to find him. The hippo looks so excited ;)

Nicole Florian said...

Excellent work!

Keszeg Agi said...

Wow, this is so cute!!!!

Anonymous said...

Love the gestures in this drawing!
The funny thing is, some people really do come to your door this way.

lew! said...

sometimes your multiple talents make me quite jealous jeope!

great whimsical drawing! You could illustrate kids books jeope, no foolin!

.pq. said...

Love it. The hippo looks so childishly happy. Like he is delighted to have been found after a game of hide-and-seek. Who knows how long he has been hiding in there? Especially since the girl doesn't look like she knew about neither the hippo nor the game!

Simply great!

Tina Poe said...

He looks very friendly and soft enough to hug!

Aaron said...

Is there a kids book that goes along with this hippo? Seems like the kind of thing my three year old daughter would say: Where should hippo sleep tonight? Maybe the closet?

erin said...

how do you pack a purple hippo? we have to move next week and I don't think he'll fit in a suitcase. great illo, love the colours.

Ricardo Guimaraes said...

Superb illustration!!! Excellent style!! Keep up the excellent work!!

DaisyB said...

Very very cute and so well drawn.

Michelle said...

So cute!! Love all the colors and how you blended them!

v a l e r i a c i s said...

this is souch a great discover! excelent illo!

Jeope said...

Hey, wow. Thanks everybody. I didn't know it would nab this sort of reaction.

Ammon said...

That is awesome! Great design.

Sara said...

I love hippo! Funny illo :)

studio lolo said...

OMG everything about this is perfect!! The hippo, her bear, her slippers!! I have hippo envy :D