ALAN E COBER

Alan E Cober is another artist who I find incredibly fascinating, particularly for his book 'The Forgotten Society'. It contains a collection of drawings and studies of the lives of people from 3 'forgotten societies', hidden from the public eye. The three societies/communities being prison, nursing homes, and mental institutions. Using possibly ink and dip pen, he provides a responsive approach using free and expressive marks. He provides the viewer with an honest and emotional response. One thing I particularly love is the small aspects of handwritten notes. 

Here I used the influence of Alan E Cober to produce this drawing of my Granny. I used a photo that had been sent to me, which was taken of her in lockdown on her birthday, this was her first time seeing family in months (from a distance), and it was an overwhelming experience all round. I really liked this way of working loosely, using lots of mark making around the face which contrasts to the lack of detail in the rest of the drawing. Overall I was very happy with this study, I think I should have incorporated the handwritten notation within the actual drawing a bit more (overlap?), but overall I was pleased with the outcome and motivated to do more in this style.