Sketch: new england autumn
Added 2025-11-14 18:00:14 +0000 UTCDoing something real different this month! Taking a break from all the recurring characters and storylines and gonna work on a standalone piece that'll be a bit different from my other work, with no narrative at all.
This scene is inspired by a conversation I had with a close friend of mine who lives up in rural New Hampshire. He was describing to me how his wife ignores him sexually, how he's a bit of a punching bag for his family, and how he's starved for male companionship and recognition. I think there are men in this situation all over the place around there, and it made me really want to create a scene that centers a dude trapped and devalued like that, and gives him a spotlight on all those things: his masculinity, eroticism, sexuality, and power. My goal will be to present this in a way that makes that statement without any campiness or irony, and doesn't feel like a cheesy advertisement or something. I've already ditched a ton of sketched out ideas that felt like they were heading that direction, or didn't capture the idea of focusing and centering this guy properly.
This is a weird one for me you guys! I struggle to even put my motivation for this into words. Hopefully that didn't read too clumsy. I included two potential lighting setups here - one more late afternoon autumn with blustery clouds, and another at dusk during the blue hour with flat moody lighting. Which is your favorite? Which supports what I'm going for here better? 🥬
Comments
I've given some male attention to those lonely guys out in rural areas ;)
Mac Foraday
2025-11-21 03:08:05 +0000 UTCIt's refreshing to see someone discuss this openly and in the same stroke -- no pun intended -- to create a piece of art about it. I think we live in an era where many men go silently devalued, emasculated, and depressed, and can rarely, if ever, discuss it with someone else.
Arthur Charles
2025-11-17 20:56:50 +0000 UTCAh man, that's very endearing and understandable a situation, man. I think countless men feel that way.
Griffin Barrows
2025-11-17 07:44:18 +0000 UTCI feel like the first one feels like a presentation of the central figure due to the lighting shining right on him and the shadows kinda framing him - not quite a celebration, but somewhere in that vein. Doing the emotion on him shown as a counter to that could be interesting. On the other hand, the second one highlights him in a way that almost frames him from below, as if he's being surrounded and standing tall despite the self-doubt. Both have appeal, but I think I resonate with the second more
occultnix
2025-11-14 23:22:50 +0000 UTCHard to decide, but I’m leaning towards the dusk one. It feels like it portrays the feeling of “even if everything seems status quo, I’m keeping this devalued feeling to myself”
Yẹmi Oreb
2025-11-14 22:25:57 +0000 UTC
