Months ago, I read a manga by Junji Ito called, 泣女坂 Nakimezaka, which means Weeping Woman Hill.
In the story, a couple visits a rural area and runs into a mysterious town filled with professional mourners.
You'll have to read it for yourself for the rest of the story but What stood out to me were the signs in the town. A striking depiction of a crying eye.
I started sketching the design a few ways. This is what I ended up with.
I had trouble with getting the same effect of the eye looking upwards while also looking drowsy. It took lots of trial and error. I asked my friend Malcolm what I was missing and he pointed out how important the eyelid was to achieve this look.
That was it!
I moved away from the blank sketchbook to the lined graphing paper as I learned from Jason Wilson. Now I have my portions right for a 6"x24" panel.
All set. After painting the panel an iridescent white color, I started on the design on the eye. The tear came second.
The design is complete and everything is filled in. After I finish the other projects on a deadline, I may come back to this one and add detail to the sides of the panel. I just might leave it as it is.
I’m surprised I found inspiration in such a minor thing, but it came just at a time that I wasn’t feeling too motivated or inspired.
Thanks Mr. Ito.
