This Artist Can Use Even The Subtlest Of Colors To Completely Transform A Drawing

by N/A, 8 years ago | 2 min read

Jonathan Martinez is an artist from Orange County, California who goes by the name art_ofthe_endangered on instagram. There's little doubt that his drawings are striking in their careful nature and the fantastical portrayals of the animals they mimic, though what's most interesting is the way he chooses to add color to his drawings. It's not quite like anything else you've ever seen.

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What do you think when you see this pen and ink drawing? I think, "that's a very life-like drawing of an owl."

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Now what do you think when you see the coloration of the eyes? An entirely different emotion is applied, and it gives the drawing a unique beauty.

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This is a theme in Jonathan Martinez's work. Take this turtle as another example. Drawing and shading phase:

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More shading, and the further application of ink:

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And now full color:

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Martinez's use of color can be very subtle, but when shown in contrast to the original black-and-white drawing, it becomes immensely striking.

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It's like the drawings start out as typical (albeit very skillfully done) pen and ink illustrations...

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And then are given a kind of unexpected completeness.

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You can almost feel the soul of the drawings come to life in the color that is applied.

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Like with this eye sketch. You can practically see an entire universe existing in the eye, and I think that's the point.

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Even when Martinez doesn't use color...

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...it's immensely interesting to see the way he transforms his drawings.

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To see more of Martinez's work, check out his Instagram.