The Saga of Robin Hood

It seems that, for me at least, there is always a point in the process of creating something where, when I step back and look at what I've done so far, everything looks horrible and completely beyond hope. 

At this stage, it's usually takes everything I've got not to curl up into a little ball and give up.  I'm experienced enough to know that if I can just work through it, there's a good chance everything will come out OK in the end. 

But it's still absolutely terrifying.

It occurs to me that other people might have the same problem, so I thought I'd share a story of one of my recent experiences.

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So, there I was, brand new set of Rapidograph pens in my hand and dying to try them out.  Problem was, I didn't have anything in particular I felt like drawing at the time. 

Then I noticed the popcorn bag sitting on the coffee table with the big ol' picture of Robin Hood on it.  (We'd just been to see Iron Man that Friday, and I'd brought home the bag.  'Cause well, you know - it had a big ol' picture of Robin Hood on it.)  Great angle on the hand, I decided I'd draw it.

The hand turned out great, and I was absolutely in love with the pens and didn't want to put them away.  So I decided to continue with his face.  Which is pretty much where it went to hell.

The result (on the right ) was, as Francis put it, a good drawing of Robin Hood, generic, but a pretty lousy one if it was meant to be Russell Crowe.

But, what the heck, it was basically just a doodle.  If I'd wanted to do a real drawing from the film, I would never have chosen to work from big iconic image that they put on all the posters.  (As pretty as it is.)

I put my sketchbook away and went to bed.

But now this is nagging at the back of my head.  I've got Robin on the brain - really looking forward to the premiere - plus, I want to play with my pens again.  So I dig out that popcorn bag, said pens,and a shiny new piece of bristol board and attempt to do this thing seriously.

An hour or two later, version two has really begun to take form.  Never realized Colin Farrell played Robin Hood. 

(Version two not shown here because it was promptly torn to pieces.)

A week goes by, during which I finally get to see the movie. (We went opening night. Fantastic.  But then, Russell and Ridley rarely disappoint seperately, never together.  As long as you go in expecting, you know, them and not Erroll Flynn and Michael Curtiz you should enjoy it.)

So Friday night, see movie.  Saturday night, get the flu.  Four days sick as a dog.  Day four, bored and recovering, decide "what the hell, third time's the charm" and come up with this:

Up to y'all to decide if this story has a happy ending.