Adrian Tomine: New York Drawings

I recently borrowed a book from the College Library; New York Drawings by Adrian Tomine. I first heard of him during Matt's Illustration Lecture on the 6th November and wanted to view more of his work after seeing the piece 'Missed Connection, 2004'.

(Missed Connection: Front Cover to 'New York Drawings')

Here is a selection of his work from the book that appealed to me the most:

 (Storytelling, 2002)

I like this piece because of the soft colour palette that has been used. I'm also fascinated with the woman (Selma Blair) in the forefront, why does she look so fed up?

(Pop Notes, All This Jazz, Classical Notes, 2003)

I love how these three connected images are also brought together by the block background colours. It's an interesting method of colouring.

(The Lost Girl, 2003)

Again the background is what made this piece appeal to me. How he uses the shape of the peoples heads to add colour is effective. It feels like the black and purple should be in the opposite place however the piece works because of this interchange.

(Pacific Street Station, 2004)

There are two reasons why this piece stood out for me. Firstly, the line work is fantastic! I hate drawing straight lines as it bothers me when they are perfectly straight. This illustration is a perfect example that lines don't have to be perfectly straight to function. Secondly there is no generic border for this piece, the illustration ends where it needs to rather than being forced to.

(D Uptown, 2004)

Again the lack of generic border works for this piece. It also appears to be the same female from the 'Missed Connection' piece suggesting he completed several studies of this woman.

(Me Media, 2006)

I feel this piece works so well because written language isn't necessary here. The visual imagery is powerful enough to explain that this is about social media.

(When Anxiety is at the Table, 2008)

This piece is similar to the trio of music themed pieces from 2003, 'Pop Notes, All This Jazz and Classical Notes' in that he has used the singular colour method to fill the background. Very powerful. I love the thick uncoloured outline of the character, it really puts a barrier around him.

(Laundromat, 2012)

What appeals to me here is the framing method of the image. The round image on black background suggests that the audience is looking at these people from inside a washing machine/dryer. Very interesting view point.

A. TOMINE (2012), New York Drawings, 1st Edition, London, Faber and Faber.