Hello everybody,

here are two drawings of mine that I found interesting to share next to each other in one post (and YES these are pencil drawings on paper. No photoshop, no digital retouch or modification of any kind.)

While looking through my archive this morning I found these two pieces and began to like the idea how different these drawings are when you compare them to each other.

They are both included in my first art book "The Art of Daniel Kiessler" which took me over a full year of work back then.

I remember how intensive the whole work process was; filled with a lot of fun, doing a lot of research, getting inspiration from so many different photographers I had the honor and pleasure to work with. Reviewing so many model portfolios and selecting the right pieces that I would create my drawings from.

The drawing of Masuimi Max is inspired by a photo of her that I found (by pure coincidence) in a German Tattoo Calendar.

When I started with my interpretation of "Pin-Up Art" I quickly found three things that would inspire me (and separate me a lot from other Pin-Up artists at that time):

heavy contrasts, latex material and tattoos.

I loved the idea of getting away from all those "cheesy" Pin-Up poses that you could see everywhere.

Always the same themes, always the same posing. It surely is a good thing (and definitely a perfect foundation for so many brilliant artists throughout history) but I just felt I wanted to bring all that to another (more personal) level.

I was hooked on Masuimi's tattoos at that time and it took me many hours to complete the drawing. Paying attention to all the details, the colors that I had to convert into my pencil shading, this was something that I found challenging back then.

After my first "tattoo drawings" hit the internet I saw quite a few other artists that tried to do the same thing (hell, they even connected with me on various online platforms and asked me for advice how "I would do this, how I do that" .... only to post some of their "own" tattooed Pin-Up girls a couple of weeks later. Ha!) Anyway, I never really cared too much for that.

The other drawing is the complete opposite.

It is only the model and the shadows.

Reducing the body only to form, with no tattoos, no distractions from the actual pose.

While working on this one I was introduced to the works of the American artist Robert Longo.

His charcoal works are amazing and these deep contrasts where something that I loved so much.

Here are three examples of his art:

Today, well over a decade later, I've begun working on new stuff that seems to bring both parts together, again - with big thanks to my good friend and photographer with one of the most unique styles out there Lars Kommienezuspadt. And he (and vermillionfox) did some rad stuff with Masuimi, as well. Check it out here and give them both a follow.

It's crazy (and I know he feels the same ;) that our paths have crossed last year. He was shooting for his famous NOIR series in Los Angeles where my wife Berrit was also part of it.

Long story short: the connection was made, we became friends, he's shooting his brilliant dark Pin-Up style that I will transform into my drawings and we got quite a few great things lined up for the future.

But this is something for another post.

Cheers,

D