I've had another comic book artist elaborate on Cho's comment as follows:
When drawing attractive women, an artist generally uses as few lines as possible, and they need to be in exactly the right places. A line out of place, or an extra line where it shoudn't be, can affect the perceived beauty of the face. If the artist does that with a guy's face, it doesn't matter, it'll still be all right as guys who look a little rugged can still be perceived as being attractive. With a male character it's not as crucial that every line be perfect.
Of course, given Cho's history, that's giving him the benefit of the doubt that this artistic truism is actually what he meant. :)
"A line out of place, or an extra line where it shoudn't be, can affect the perceived beauty of the face. If the artist does that with a guy's face, it doesn't matter, it'll still be all right as guys who look a little rugged can still be perceived as being attractive. With a male character it's not as crucial that every line be perfect."
I took a one-day art course in H.S. with a local political cartoonist, who said much the same thing about every line needing to be in the exact right place in order to ensure that a rendition of an attractive woman 'works'-- relative to the creases, wrinkles, and grooves mens' faces could sustain without losing appeal (even gaining it in certain contexts).
Which of course speaks volumes about the wider standard of attractiveness men enjoy in our culture. What Cho said is fine as far as it goes, as long as he doesn't mind being viewed in some quearters as yet another in a long line of artists who are only interested in portraying women insofar as said portrayals conform to personal fetish.
Dammit, Cho, every time I wanna like you for your funny gags* in the comic strip, you have to say something like this. Haven't you learned to think with your big head before you speak yet?
*The BC jab that pissed off the newspaper syndicate was priceless, and there's so many dog owners can appreciate that don't seem like Marmaduke that I really wanna like him.
I'm okay with Cho drawing covers but I always felt it was a bit of a stretch to ask him to draw whole comic books. Maybe if he wanted to do something with funny animals (a la Liberty Meadows) I would feel differently. His funny animals strips are his best work.
I've had another comic book artist elaborate on Cho's comment as follows:
ReplyDeleteWhen drawing attractive women, an artist generally uses as few lines as possible, and they need to be in exactly the right places. A line out of place, or an extra line where it shoudn't be, can affect the perceived beauty of the face. If the artist does that with a guy's face, it doesn't matter, it'll still be all right as guys who look a little rugged can still be perceived as being attractive. With a male character it's not as crucial that every line be perfect.
Of course, given Cho's history, that's giving him the benefit of the doubt that this artistic truism is actually what he meant. :)
I think a perfect example of what Elayne is saying about faces can be found in the pages of Frank Miller's Sin City.
ReplyDeletesadly some of Cho's men end up being attractive. still, such attitude is shit. i want to see attractive men too!
ReplyDelete"A line out of place, or an extra line where it shoudn't be, can affect the perceived beauty of the face. If the artist does that with a guy's face, it doesn't matter, it'll still be all right as guys who look a little rugged can still be perceived as being attractive. With a male character it's not as crucial that every line be perfect."
ReplyDeleteI took a one-day art course in H.S. with a local political cartoonist, who said much the same thing about every line needing to be in the exact right place in order to ensure that a rendition of an attractive woman 'works'-- relative to the creases, wrinkles, and grooves mens' faces could sustain without losing appeal (even gaining it in certain contexts).
Which of course speaks volumes about the wider standard of attractiveness men enjoy in our culture. What Cho said is fine as far as it goes, as long as he doesn't mind being viewed in some quearters as yet another in a long line of artists who are only interested in portraying women insofar as said portrayals conform to personal fetish.
Yes, a rather stupid thing to say...and yet, and yet, I love Cho's linework. And he has done the sexiest Nick Fury I've every seen.
ReplyDeleteDammit, Cho, every time I wanna like you for your funny gags* in the comic strip, you have to say something like this. Haven't you learned to think with your big head before you speak yet?
ReplyDelete*The BC jab that pissed off the newspaper syndicate was priceless, and there's so many dog owners can appreciate that don't seem like Marmaduke that I really wanna like him.
Frank Cho's women are attractive?
ReplyDeleteIf overly-large boobs and exageratted butts are you idea of attractive, yes.
ReplyDeleteI'm okay with Cho drawing covers but I always felt it was a bit of a stretch to ask him to draw whole comic books. Maybe if he wanted to do something with funny animals (a la Liberty Meadows) I would feel differently. His funny animals strips are his best work.
ReplyDelete