Operation: Space Suit

Week sixty six of Operation Graphite – theme: Space Suit.

This tiny, blue, fragile speck in space. Outside it’s protection, we succumb to an onslaught of deadly elements. But we all knew what was in store when we signed up. We rode a controlled explosion to get into orbit.  We endured increased G-forces, micro gravity, and meals in a tube. Now after leaving the comfort of our biosphere, we need to leave the safety of our ship. A one man (or woman) habitat, a mini space ship, complete with life support and emergency thrusters. There might be a moment for fear, if it weren’t for the intoxicating awe of floating over what is now Australia and New Zealand. A view no camera could truly ever capture, no more tiny ship window to press your nose against, this sight through a terrifyingly thin bubble helmet is completely unobstructed. The cliché instantly comes to mind, it seems so peaceful down there. Actually, I think that we just passed Iran, Syria and Iraq. The radio crackles, there is a mission after all; this wasn’t just a sight seeing trip.

It’s a good thing these wrenches are tethered to the suit. I would’ve lost these damn things fifty times by now.

 

Shock – Something strange in the distance

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Week 67: Hopeless

The theme selected for week sixty seven of Operation Graphite will be: Hopeless. 

 

No matter how good things truly are, there are moments when everything feels hopeless. We forget how good we have it, we forget the people who care for us, and we forget that things felt bad before and lo and behold, they got better. Moments of utter soul crushing hopelessness plague us all from time to time, and then there are times when relief from agonizing despair are only fleeting moments. For some that pain can be used as an outlet, for others its a debilitating obstacle. Maybe getting out the pencil or pen might help you get past Eternity’s gate, maybe it will help trap you there.

Please submit any drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media, that fits the theme, Hopeless.

All art work is due on Thursday 6.6.13. Submissions will be published the following Friday 6.7.13.

Operation: Phallic Object

Week sixty five of Operation Graphite – theme: Phallic Object.

So, what is this, an anatomy lesson, a celebration of genitalia, or a bunch of dick jokes? Maybe it’s just another experiment.

Contributing Phalluses:

Alter Ink – Rich Person

Shock – Uncle Bob at White Sands

Thank you for contributing.

Week 66: Space Suit

The theme selected for week sixty six of Operation Graphite will be: Space Suit.

 

Suit up, it’s time for some Extra Vehicular Activity. The site, The Fox is Black, always has its, Space Suit of the week, and is a fantastic blend of Sci-Fi, Pop Culture and Space Exploration history. Many images transcend the utilitarian nature of a garment used to protect one from the vacuum of space, to became powerful iconography of the 21’st century.  This week we are tasked with illustrating ether a real, or  fictional space suit.

Please submit a drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media of your Space Suit. 

All art work is due on Thursday 5.29.13. Submissions will be published the following Friday 5.31.13.

Operation: Fantastical Cartography

Week sixty four of Operation Graphite – theme: Fantastical Cartography.

We seem to be in a strange land, a strange and dangerous land this week.

Contributing cartographers:

Micah – To the skull of a dead god

Shock – Perilous Journey

Thank you for contributing.

Week 56: Phallic Object

The theme selected for week fifty six of Operation Graphite will be: Phallic Object.

Ok, I thought long and hard about this one. I know I shouldn’t make a big hairy deal about it, but it is one of the more perverse themes we have had. But at the same time, this isn’t actually about anything obscene, it is about normal every day items that make our filthy minds think of something obscene. And really, what is so wrong about something half of all humans evolved to have, or were given by GOD him (or her) self; depending on how religious you are of course. In fact, to not celebrate the funniest body part would be disrespectful, to God, or to millions of years of Evolution. Be sure to use that excuse when you are caught drawing dicks at work.

Please submit a drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media of your Phallic Object. 

All art work is due on Thursday 5.23.13. Submissions will be published the following Friday 5.24.13.

Operation: Rule 43

Week forty three of Operation Graphite – theme: Rule 43.

The gender swap of a character is pretty popular these days, but it is not just silly crossplay. On the surface, these are characters who people want to reinvent, characters who are ingrained within our culture, and flipping the gender makes an old character new again. The deeper you look into this phenomena, the more your glean about the various perceptions of gender roles in society. Why do some believe that women dressing up as male characters become stronger and tougher, while men dressing up as female characters (not always in drag, but sometimes the masculine equivalent of that female character’s wardrobe) are deemed weaker or less? Are the very gender roles that people are trying to be overcome, are being reenforced by accident? And what does this say about the characters themselves? Are girls dressing up as male characters because all the female characters from 30 years ago or more are all weak, 2-dimential damsels in distress for the hero to save?

As we continue to inch towards gender equality, as there become just as many X-women as X-men, we have to ask, why do some think switching one gender for another is cool or bad-ass, while the opposite reversal tends to almost always be a joke or just disturbing? And yet, the two submissions this weeks went with the trope of tough male characters being played by females. It is the most popular spin, but are we missing the point by continuing with the same cliché? Or, can we just enjoy the character switch up and not get bogged down with a discussion?

Contributing examples of Rule 43:

bruku – The Punisher

Shock – Lady Humongous

Thank you for mixing it up.

Week 64: Fantastical Cartography

The theme selected for week sixty four of Operation Graphite will be: Fantastical Cartography.

Part of our land navigation training will not only include the how to use a lensaic compass, but map making will also be important. When exploring a fantastical realm, one needs to keep their bearings. That is why we are tasked with creating a map of a fantasy world. Take any of the places you have traveled, whether in novel, dream, or digital simulation. Create a map for the next person who happens to journey to that land.

Please submit a drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media that fits the theme, Fantastical Cartography.

All art work is due on Thursday 5.16.13. Submissions will be published the following Friday 5.17.13.

 

Operation: Rock and Roll

Week sixty two of Operation Graphite – theme: Rock and Roll.

And after listening to clip after clip of guitarists shredding on youtube, I wish I would have stuck with learning to play the guitar. The quiet labor dedicated towards a drawing or painting makes me envious of those who’s talents can lead to spontaneous creations or compositions. Thankfully one work can feed off another, and listening to music is always one of the best ways to get inspired to draw.

Contributing rockers:

sethomatic – Rob Zombie

Shock – Brian May

Thank you for contributing.

Week 63: Rule 63

The theme selected for week sixty three of Operation Graphite will be: Rule 63.

 

Rule 63 – For every given male character, there is a female version of that character. And also, for every given female character, there is a male version of that character. Gender swapping isn’t just for cosplayers, and special cartoon episodes. Gender swapping a character is a phenomenon that predates the internet, but really exploded, when people started wasting lots of time online. While most examples of Rule 63 are male characters being played by females, the opposite is also common, just not usually as pleasant to look at. This week the mission is to take a known character, and swap the gender.

Please submit a drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media that fits the theme, Rule 63.

All art work is due on Thursday 5.9.13. Submissions will be published the following Friday 5.10.13.

Lets keep it PG-13, alright?