Sweat Accumulates on the Bottle

Artist: Steven Novak
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Sweat Accumulates on the Bottle

Here’s yet another illustration from “Snow Man Is My Friend.” More than any of the others, I think this is the one that scared away publishers. Pretty straight-forward stuff. No trees, now cute snow man, no metaphor, it is what it is. I like it. I think it’s solid, but it certainly isn’t your average picture book illustration.

Sweat Accumulates on the Bottle belongs to the following groups:

Fine Arts, Pencil Drawing (2 per 24 hrs) and Something To Say Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

Sweat Accumulates on the Bottle by Steven Novak

Alycia K

Wow. Great picture!
Steven Novak replied

Thanks Alycia!
Wanda Lechene

this is amazing and very powerful its almost like i can feel the pain of the little boy.
Steven Novak replied

Thanks Wanda! I tried keeping the background sparse so you could only focus on the two principal elements.
firstglance

wow it is what it is, this is the true!!! like your straight-forward way of seeing ,the other side of the bottle well done !!!!!!
Steven Novak replied

Thanks! If I ever try to sell the book again I think this might be the only illustration I rework. Maybe it’s a bit TOO straight-forward. ;)
clarkey

This image is very expressive – full of pain and fear, with the cause of such emotions in plain sight.

It’s a subject that causes sympathetic pain and anguish in many of us and it reminds us that such horror usually occurs out of sight. Much as it is painful, it’s good to be reminded of the tragic consequence of over-indulgence in something most people take for granted as being only a feel-good substance.
Steven Novak replied

Thanks Clarkey, as someone who doesn’t drink, ever, anywhere, I couldn’t agree with you more.
cheetaah

I can feel his in pain…......fear…...wants me to hug him and comfort him…. your work is very realistic. Great.
Steven Novak replied

Thanks Cheetaah, I appreciate it.
Leslie Patton

This could tell many stories. Love it!! Nice work Steven!
Steven Novak replied

Thank you Leslie.
vonne

A pictures paints a thousand words, and you have most definitely done that here! Hard hitting, punched in the gut impact truth! VERY WELL DONE! Keep it coming Steven.
Steven Novak replied

So sometimes it’s good to get punched in the gut? Who knew? ;)
darkestartist

wow gripping and powerful imagery, and of course very well drawn.
Steven Novak replied

Thank you!
Jen Cannella

What an amazing way you have of capturing emotion Steven…this is sad and beautiful!
Steven Novak replied

The only problem is that the emotions I capture more often than not is sad. ;)
BLYTHART

All your work holds a message and I still feel there is another message behind the more obvious one. I’d hate to think that you have suffered any of the misery you often portray in your pictures.
Steven Novak replied

The book itself is actually more about finding strength in creativity than it is about abusive drunks. In fact, it’s only kind of, sort of hinted at in the text and this ONE illustration sort of solidifies it.
Lynda Berlin

Your work resonates with me…a combination of humor and horror all wrapped up in pretty colors. Have you published a children’s book yet?
Steven Novak replied

Humor and horror in pretty colors. I LIKE THAT! I haven’t had a major company publish anything as of yet, no. Most of the work I’ve done in the children’s market has been in the educational sector.
Carrie Glenn

Definitely not your average…way above average if you ask me. We need the hard truth sometimes… A really confident publisher would give it a try, it could really shake things up in a good way. At any rate excellent drawing, it shows emotion and makes a clear message.
Steven Novak replied

Thanks Carrie, I appreciate it. And I agree with you, lets blame it on the publishers, not me. ;)
Brian Towers

Your illustrations have great variety and never fail to be interesting Steven. Your drawing is masterful.
Steven Novak replied

Thank you Brian.
Douzy

Wow – how powerful, especially for a drawing. I love it – it is solid. Solid is good.
Steven Novak replied

If solid is good then I’m cool with solid. ;) Thanks Douzy!
Chanel2

Excellent work Steve.
Steven Novak replied

Thanks!
Tahnja

God have mercy do I ever remember those days. Hit a wound with this one but one I really understand. I really admire your heart that does not allow things to go left unsaid. You can have all the pretty flowers and lovely men and women that you get your hands on but rarely does anyone want to remember the harsh reality of intense pain, violence, grief and horror. Extraordinary work Steve. Helps me to remember to forgive those who have wronged me in the past but also never to forget to reach out a hand to those now in the same place of pain that I once was.
Steven Novak replied

You can’t let yourself forget the things that made you who you are, whether they sucked or not. ;)
Karin Taylor

...yeah, life sux when those meant to protect us, those we love and trust, betray us
.....it takes longer than a lifetime to get over
Steven Novak replied

A lifetime or a pencil. ;)
Rhana Griffin

Ka-fucking-POW!

More than any of the others, I think this is the one that scared away publishers

Ya think? =) Powerful work my friend… and courageous. Kudo’s to you.
Steven Novak replied

You can’t give kudos here…dork. ;) Thanks Rhana!
red addiction

OMG!!! You are so good, i bet you here that all the time! Friggen awesome!!! So sad for the boy though
Steven Novak replied

Actually no, I don’t hear it all the time, so feel free to tell me whenever you like. ;)
Helene Kippert

I like it too – very powerful!
Tracey-Anne Pryke

all the above
Steven Novak replied

All of the below. ;)
Paul Tupman

Wow! Powerful work!If there was an image that might scare publishers away from a childrens book then this might be it.. but way to go on telling it like it is! I get the feeling that this is a pretty strong book, thats not going to hide things behind the curtain! You managed to capture great emotion in this drawing.. brilliant stuff!
Steven Novak replied

I think it’s a pretty strong book. I worked hard on it. It’s a shame It hasn’t been seen by more people, but those it has have liked it. Plus we’re really supposed to create art for ourselves, right? Right? Sure. Right? (I need to keep telling myself that) ;)
vonne

Most Definitely Good to punch!
darkestartist

anytime. if art doesn’t matter, why make it? ;) (I will still say this when I’m in the back of the van…)
Tracey-Anne Pryke

Right…
Claire Armistead

I think this is amazing. I feel sorry for the publishers who shunned away from this image; nobody ever said abuse was meant to be a pretty thing. It’s so strong, it gave me chills. What the picture implies speaks volumes. Great work x
Steven Novak replied

Well thanks, I appreciate the comment. The piece is very close to me personally so it’s nice having it be so well received here.
Renate Dartois

This goes straight to the heart-so many children are subjected to fear and axciety every day-great illustration of an abusive situation….
Steven Novak replied

Thanks Renate, I appreciate that a lot.
Tahnja

very true Steve. Thanks for your understanding
Daniel Rarela

hmmm… seems like a commentary of domestic abuse and alcoholism in families… after all the colorful and quirky stuff you’ve got in your portfolio, this one definitely stands out

great work, Steven!
Steven Novak replied

That’s exactly what it is Daniel. Thanks for the kind words. It is quite a bit different from the stuff I usually do.
elisab

Doesn’t matter if the publishers like it or not, it tells its own story. This would scare me from drinking. What we do to the little ones.
Steven Novak replied

Glad you like it Elisa. Thanks.
Lisa Defazio

Powerful…evil drunk men – they exist. Good work.
Steven Novak replied

Indeed they do. Unfortunately. ;) Thanks!
satsumagirl

Great picture. Very expressive.
Steven Novak replied

Thanks yet again!
Anthea Slade

This is highly emotive and powerful drawing. It evokes in me a strong emotional response. Beautiful Illustration Steven.
Steven Novak replied

Thank you Anthea, I appreciate it.
gypsycaster

I really like this one. He almost looks ready to jet.
Steven Novak replied

Believe it or not the next drawing in the book is him jetting.
gypsycaster

Man! I am ON !
Seriously, your intent comes through really clearly!
BRENDEN HOWARD

yes, i agree with you, exelent llustration, love it,
Steven Novak replied

Thanks Brenden, I appreciate it.
Jason Hampton ...

Hey…we are now mutual fans mate. This one has a special resonance for me for personal reasons but apart from that, the execution is superb. Just started working with an author on a childrens book myself so I was delighted to become aquainted with your work.
Stay real and keep sharing your gift.
Steven Novak replied

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words. Hope things work out well with your book collaboration.
Lisa Jewell

This sketch sends a powerful message…..
Steven Novak replied

Thanks Lisa. Good to know that I got my point across.
Mike Paget

Powerful image
Babbler

very sad….
Luke Downes

I’ve been there…

eh, maybe it’s just the elephant beer
Dan Elbourne

powerful and chilling. you’ve got the posture of the kid just right. i imagine the he’s trying to retreat away from reality and far inside his own head.
Di Dowsett

i downloaded the snowman is my friend today, all i can say is wow!!!!!! what an emotion filled piece of work…......brilliant!
xx