Lab Book #14, Part 5: the Strong Man

In this installment of the lab book #14 series I attempt to convey the impression of strength and support with a network of flowing lines that converge on a character (the strong man) in the bottom left of the picture. In the middle a cartoon cat helps take some of the weight with a smile. As with the other paintings in this series I repeat a signature rusty-red colour throughout the design, and also give a glimpse into the outdoors (just below the cat) where there is a blue sky and trees. When I make a doodle painting I go through my lab notes page by page, copying the doodles into the finished painting. Because I go through the pages in order, it is often a challenge to try and fit a random doodle into a larger painting with an established theme. This painting in particular was difficult, as there was really no person in my doodles, nor any kind of barbell or obvious image that would covey a circus strong man. My strategy then, was to put a lot of elements in the top of the design, making it top-heavy, and then connecting these elements to the character at the bottom. To note, I have just completed the final part of this series, Part 9, the Fire Eater, last weekend. That makes 9 lab-book paintings completed under three months! 

Lab Book #14, Part 5: the Strong Man, watercolour 12 x 16" hot press, 2009 (No. 1804)