Sunday, November 26, 2006

Illustration Friday: Invention: Popsicle

Popsicle beach B/W
Popsicle beach Color

In 1905, the Popsicle was invented by an 11 year-old Frank Epperson. He had left his fruit flavored soda outside on the porch with a stir stick in it. The drink froze overnight, and the next morning he discovered the frozen treat. He originally called it the "Epsicle" (no relation to the Epilady), which his children later re-named to the more palatable "Popsicle."

For this illustration, I was inspired by some old kids' cookbook illustrations, that were just line art and photographic items (like cakes, ice cream cones etc. If i can find them again, i'll put up a link or post them.) I ended up doing a color version too. I like the line art one better, but I figured I'd post both. Tell me which one you like better.

43 comments:

Sophie from Grins and Sighs said...

Hi,

I like the line drawing better. No colours to make the popsicle stand out. What an invention!

J. E. Morris said...

Yum, I like orange Epsicles the best.

I really like the line drawing version too. It has a fun, simple feeling to it.

Frederik Jurk said...

I prefer the line version. Looks like a 70ies ad, very sweet, somehow retro. Good idea!

nicbrek said...

Both versions look great but for showing off the popsicles the line version is better. The kids look so adorable.

studio lolo said...

Line drawing works best for me as well, and the popsicles make me feel cold!!! Brrrrr. Fun illo and facts!

Eric Dyck said...

Its time someone told you...I really like how you draw hair.

Anne Viel said...

Hi,
i'm love your illustration. I prefer the line drawing, retro and clear. I love this mix : drawing and photo. Wonderful !

Doug said...

Fun illo! ...and I agree, the line drawing makes the popsicles... well, POP!

Theresa H. said...

These characters are too cute! Their charming little faces really come to life with those bright popsicles! The line art is definitely the better composition of the two! Splendiferous work!

Random York said...

Really sharp and clean work!

Julie said...

terrific!

PaintMonster said...

Super Sweeet John!!!
I like this poster!
I want it!!!

Kay Aker said...

Cool and refreshing! I love the black and white because it emphasizes your great quirky bumpy line work!

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

They are so adorable. I love old kids cook book illustrations too.

Issi said...

wow, super illo!
Best Wishes,
Issi

Cez said...

great invention...love it!!

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

These are both great. I suppose I like the to one best...

Suzan said...

Great illo. I love it!

NatGeodeZ said...

this is so cute! i must agree with everyone else! love the line version! I can see it in a magazine ad!

Unknown said...

OH BOY!! THis is tooo CUTE!! NOW I want a popsicle too!!

Francesca said...

Ahhhh, cute!! As usual, I love you style!!

SILVER KNIGHT said...

sweeeet!;)

Pickledog said...

Sweet invention pick! I like the B&W line art the most because of the wonderful contrast with the Epsicles. Love those crazy toes!

esillustration said...

AH THIS MAKES ME WANT A POPSICLE SOOO BADLY! i would definitely pick the orange one over any other color...but my second pick would be red. YOU DID GOOD!

Jeannetto said...

I second Liz on the color choices. Excellent. I like 'em both. Besides retro ads it reminds me of a cartoon that I cant think of and I'm not going to be able to sleep until I figure it out. If I scroll your page up and down really fast it starts coming to me.

Jeannetto said...

I think it's Dexter's Labratory actually. Weird, I thought it would be a cartoon from my childhood, not a cartoon from my late-teenage-i-shouldnt-love-cartoons-anymore-years.

Anonymous said...

Great!

Luisa said...

jeje, John this is very good, great!
súper chulo!

Michelle Lana said...

Hi John. thanks for stopping by! Love your work! a big fan!

nicole falk said...

hahah so awesome!! great work

Anonymous said...

Popsicles sound good now...always love your work, the retro feel, colors, and your characters.

Jules said...

Fabulous! I like the top one better. Be cool with just a few snips of the tones from the popsicles, pulled back to like 40% and on the swim trunks but excellent as is! Thanks for the heads-up on my deffective link.

Don Tate II said...

Very fun!

AndyDoodler said...

Coool-- like/lick 'em both-- the color one hit me first- but on second look, think they're equally tasty in their own ways.

paige said...

OH my! I sure wish this was my illustration!! I love it madly!
My vote goes for the line art version too.

Abigail said...

They're both great, but I'd second the line art comments - it has a great retro feel. The idea of adding photographs is neat too.

Amy Zaleski said...

Love it! The actual popsicles with the illustration really makes it that much better. Love the style!

Anette Heiberg said...

Fun! It's very cool.

Anette
www.wynlen.no

Anonymous said...

John, Your work is amazing! I love the characters you create and the simplicity with which they are presented.

v a l e r i a c i s said...

hola john! realmente me gusta tu trabajo! acabo de conocerte a partir de un comentario tuyo en mi blog. muchas gracias por visitarme, yo lo haré seguido en el tuyo!

David said...

The line art one is great. Simple and effective.

Anonymous said...

hi like popsciles

Anonymous said...

No doubt really attractive design, shaking hands looks pretty good :)

Thanks