Originally posted in May 2023.
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Cartoon: A Smell of Blood at No. 10 after the Local Elections
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Instagram Face
From Wikipedia: “An Instagram face is a social trend for women to adjust their features to conform to a single template, either by applying filters to their photographs on social media, or via cosmetic surgery.”
by Oskar Hasiuk The article continues: “The template face is young, with flawless, unwrinkled skin and plump, high cheekbones. It has catlike (uplifted) eyes and long lashes; it has a small, symmetrical nose and lush lips. It has a blank expression. The face is unambiguously racially white, but of ambiguous ethnicity. The face has been described as ‘well-tanned, with South Asian brows and eye shape, African-American lips, Caucasian nose, and Native American/Middle Eastern cheeks.
color thumbnails done in ProCreate I got interested in this topic after watching the Youtuber Khadija Mbowe’s video on the socio-cultural phenomenon, which in turn cited a New Yorker article by Jia Tolentino. I was fired up by the thought that people sharing and liking photos of each other could cause a real-world change in the structure of the human face. This does sound blown out of proportion until you make a quick google search and find out that Instagram users add up to a very sizeable portion of the world population, itself adding up to a kind of standard-setting, world beauty forum.
first-hand references for the drawing I really took my time planning this piece out because of how complex the perspective and structure of the concept was. In a way, setting the time of day of the piece to sunset meant that I didn’t need to get bogged down in detail, and could instead use the surface features of the scaffolding to pick up the highlights and add realism this way.
A full-comprehensive paper study I first made a sketch on A4, then A3, then realised I was better off making a full, comprehensive draft on large, layered sheets of plant-based paper. This way I was really able to solve all the problems that could’ve arisen before I even started painting in earnest. I picked this technique up from the amazing James Gurney in his book on how to paint what doesn’t exist.
This was also the first time I successfully used MidJourney to help my workflow, using it to generate hundreds of images of women’s faces in search of one that would fit the angle of the piece.
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Welcome to the Noctuary
Pen and Ink, Oskar Hasiuk Noctuary (noun) “account of what passes in the night,” the converse of a diary
Welcome to the Noctuary—my personal illustration blog, where on quiet nights I dissect a wide range of art styles and subjects. I’m Oskar Hasiuk, an illustrator breathing life into culture, politics, folk stories and dysfunctional characters. Whether you’re an artist or an art enthusiast looking for inspiration, I’m thrilled to share these nights with you.
- Showcasing unique illustration: Join me on a journey through art history. Together, we’ll explore the techniques, mediums, and influences that have shaped the practice of the most unique creators.
- Tools of the Trade: Step into my creative studio as I unveil the tools that help me translate ideas into light. From the familiar embrace of a trusted pencil to the limitless possibilities of digital illustration, I’ll demonstrate techniques and tools, hopefully empowering you on your own journey along the way.
- Peering from the Shadows: Spotting emerging illustration styles and commenting on cultural issues. Join me as we dive into the currents of the world of illustration and beyond. We’ll celebrate the work of fellow artists and explore fresh styles, while staying curious about the world around us.
Thank you for joining me in the Noctuary, and remember to bookmark our blog.
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