Project Description

INKTOBER 2025 Day #27: ONION.

“Shrek became a phenomenon, especially in my kids’ generation and the rise of memes. There is some good humor and quotable lines from the franchise, at least the ones I’ve actually seen. Shrek is just one of those things that’s been ‘there’ for the last few decades (yes, decades) that I don’t give much thought to. I’m vaguely aware there have been sequels, some of which I must have seen. I join in on some Shrek jokes with my (now adult) kids from time to time. I thought the original movie came out when my kids were young, but after a quick search I discovered it was released two years before I became a father. Then I had a vague memory of actually going to see it with one of my close high school friends (it was 2001, so we were six years out of high school) in a theater full of parents and little kids. As with most animated ‘kids’ movies, there were plenty of jokes sprinkled in for the adults, so it was interesting to notice what kids laughed at versus the adults.

As I’ve mentioned many times, I enjoy drawing textures. I look for opportunities to squeeze some in for added detail. I’m also trying to restrain myself a bit these days and attempt to have more open spaces and not make an illustration too visually busy and cluttered (which is why I opted not to draw the field of sunflowers in the background that’s in the original scene this is referencing). It’s a challenge for me sometimes. I try to look for places that I can imply lines and volumes without drawing them, or to draw texture in areas that doubles as shadow. Shrek’s shirt was a fun section for me to play with that idea.”

Do you enjoy these silly pen and ink illustrations starring Plunger Monkey? Wish you had a whole book full of them to gaze at lovingly whenever you wanted? You’re in luck! Get a copy of Inklings to satisfy that need: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733734716/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AO28074KOTGC&keywords=inklings+by+toby+gray&qid=1689026488&s=books&sprefix=inklings+by+toby+gray%2Cstripbooks%2C103&sr=1-1