This is a series of pen and ink drawings called Macabre Series 1 - Blood, Skulls, and Paranoia. Each drawing was sketched to stand on its own, but there is a theme in the style, subject matter, and overall feeling of each artwork. Deep black shadows and abstract designs mix with grey and red gradients to create symbols and images that typically represent death, invoke fear, and suggest an undercurrent of foreboding. Some of these elements specifically include skulls, ghosts, insects, unusual creatures, red coloring for blood, and abstract distorted faces. Each drawing is approximately 4″ x 6″, and each artwork was drawn and painted in 2008 with pen, ink, marker, and watercolor mediums.
Macabre Series 1 - Blood, Skulls, and Paranoia
Epilogue | Macabre Series 1 - Blood, Skulls, and Paranoia
Related posts:
9 responses so far ↓
1 vikki // Jun 29, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Wow! Pretty scary freaky stuff there Michael! You know my painting is focused on the human condition also. I have topic (potential challenge) for you that I’ve never been able to come up with a good means of portraying without feeling I’m creating a cartoon: Jealousy, The Green Eyed Monster. Any ideas?
Vikki
2 MDE-ART.com // Jun 29, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Hi Vikki, thanks! I like that your art focuses on the human condition. And I have drawn a picture in response to your challenge. I tried to keep color and energy, and stuck to thin lines, gradients, and transparent layers, and minimized blocks of color and exaggerated forms. I like the subdued-ness, but may exaggerate and cartoon it a bit further in subsequent works. Feel free to expand on the drawing or the idea. Your challenges are welcome any time.
Jealousy, The Green Eyed Monster
3 vikki // Jun 30, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Oh my God!! I love this!!!!!!! You are amazing.
I especially love that you made the subject actually attractive rather than monstrous. And I love your style. I have never seen anyone do this kind of thing with such obvious ease and comfort. Your work ‘moves while standing still’.
Can you see me saluting you, Michael?
I snatched it! Got on my desk top! Couldn’t help myself! I’m a MDE-Art theif and proud of it!
I think I’ll do a blog on this and if I do, I’ll let you know.
Now I’m going to have to work like hell to out-do you. That’s going to be really tough.
Thanks,
Vikki
4 MDE-ART.com // Jul 3, 2008 at 10:13 am
Hi Vikki, thanks for your response! Your comments are very encouraging and I appreciate the salute! *Salutes back*
I’ve bookmarked your blog and will stop by again soon. Thanks again for bringing your enthusiasm to this little corner of the internet.
5 vikki // Jul 6, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Hi Michael,
I just put my ‘Jealousy blog’ up with your image included. I have your site linked.
Maybe we can do another subject challenge sometime. This was fun. -But you come up with the concept next time.
Vikki
6 vikki // Jul 6, 2008 at 6:15 pm
And by the way: This blogging process goes both ways Michael. I’ve got Feedjit. I know you’ve been there. Say hello next time.
Vikki
7 MDE-ART.com // Jul 6, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Hi Vikki. Your work affected me more than I thought it would, and I needed some time before responding. Thanks for the nudge. I will post soon.
8 Sara // Aug 20, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I have to say that this is the stuff of nightmares. My childhood nightmares really. Makes me want to run and hide. the emotions that you evoke are so powerful.
9 MDE-ART.com // Aug 21, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Thank you Sara, I appreciate that you shared your response to these drawings. I felt similarly when drawing them! Nightmares aren’t a subject I’ve approached very often, but I try to tap into the heart of them when I do.
Leave a Comment
No links allowed within Comment field.