FROGS AT NIGHT drawing

Here is a drawing for a painting of an army of frogs convening in the woods on a moonless night. Viewers will have to peer deeply into the varnish to see the details.

Because frogs lend themselves so uncannily to anthropomorphism, and because as Lenny Bruce said on PLAYBOY AFTER HOURS (I'm paraphrasing from memory), "I would never satirize the obvious," it was deemed necessary to keep their actions and expressions as natural as possible within the demands of cartooning; the faces, hands and feet must be expediently expressive, but it can stop there. And so they are not drinking, kissing, dancing, fighting, smoking or doing any of that teddy-bear's picnic stuff. But they are doing something; there is a real event going on here. Up close you hear their breathing and the faint rubbery squeaks made by their jostling hides.

This drawing is 38" x 24", the exact size of a canvas I prepared years ago and am finally ready to use. It has a mirror-like finish. So much sanding! I need a transparent siccative layer to grab the paint and lay the foundation for oceans of oil and varnish. Any suggestions? Don't mention shellac.

BACK AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME

Crikey! I can't believe how much spacetime has elapsed since the last post here! The sad truth is that I became absorbed by my Facebook artist page. Also I began a semi-clandestine diary blog to show work in progress with production notes. Anyone who has any interest in how I've whiled away the past year or so can dredge through the material there.

One thing not on that blog is this picture, tentatively called The Truce Between Men and Frogs. There's no gainsaying it, the world belongs to the young. So cheer up, kids!