Talking about drawing her heroes, artist Sydney Padua explains how she developed a "look" for Babbage (based on the real Victorian inventor) that combines the blocky and the flame-like (fitting his volcanic nature) which contrasts with his partner Lovelace (based on the real-world's first computer programmer), drawn with more ethereal, curved-lines. Padua shows how this idea influences even the drawing of their hands.
This is thoughtful design that her readers (or our theater audiences) seldom consciously notice - but which can be subconsciously very powerful. Whether a line is straight or curved, a mass light or heavy, can have emotional impact... The audience doesn't know why. Or even that it's been manipulated. It's like the way lighting works or the way a film's musical underscoring can move you to tears.
Dare to be subtle!
Image borrowed from the conclusion of "The Organist" by 2D Goggles/Sydney Padua. Start reading it HERE
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