Sunday, August 19, 2012

Working Process

Below is an example of my layout process on a current page.  I rough in my layout pages in a combination of pen and the same white gouache I use to do corrections and white hatching/grey tones on my finals.


For this page I printed a light grey of the rough layout onto another sheet of bristol to refine it before going to finish.


For personal projects (where I am exploring a concept and I do not have a clear destination), I sometimes forgo this process.  In the example below, the only transfer is the grid that divides the page into fourths and title.  The title was initially hand lettered on another illustration, and transferred in blue to the below sheet of bristol.


[LRP+SSE]

Monday, July 30, 2012

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Return to "Speakeasy Studios"


Made it into the studio for the first time in a while, and I had not realized how much I missed 'Speakeasy'. Needed to get some painting in and recharge.


Above is the updated version where the young girl's head is turned and the submarine background is being refined.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Douglas, Jack, and Caseins Redux


Douglas Fairbanks 1926

Jack Dempsey 1922



Sunday, February 26, 2012

Inspiration, Perspiration, and a day at "Speakeasy"



THOMAS WILMER DEWING



Inspiration came in the form of a Thomas Wilmer Dewing painting on display at the RISD Museum. It was welcome, as I had wiped down the figure of one of my two casein paintings. There is a quality in Dewing's work and the work of other "Tonalist" art that I really admire, and the figure was moving too far away from it. I was able to get some more work done at the studio, as well. It was nice to be able to do some much needed painting, as well as get some more art up on the wall.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Walls of Inspiration, and a Tale of Two Tigers


The walls of my corner of the studio are adorned with framed images featuring the work of some of my favorite artists, many of whom have influenced my work. Most are scanned from books and scaled or created to fit the desired size and look. The three top images feature Hergé, Winsor McCay, and Osamu Tezuka. Below them is one of my favorite Bauhaus posters.


Above, is an image of Joost Schmidt's famous Bauhaus Poster from 1923 I created using online sources. Any inaccuracies surely hurt the final image, however, it was my intention to produce an image that honored the original poster.


In addition to an airplane poster, given to us by our friend Kevin Mowrer, there are four (three shown) framed images featuring the work of some personal heroes from my college days. The art of Geof Darrow, Moebius (Jean Giraud), and Dave Stevens came into my life at approximately the same time, and I am fortunate to have been able to show my work to both Darrow and Stevens when I was a student. Both were very kind, and all three artists' work continues to be a source of inspiration.


Lastly, is a photo of my continued work on the two casein paintings. The figure on the left is being reworked, and has lost some of its edges and weight that I hope to return in the final. I am in the process of painting an emaciated Bengal tiger in the lower right corner. I am exploring the idea of capping its fangs with bronze orbs that would prevent it from closing its's mouth all the way. It is one of many elements that will be added to the painting in coming weeks.

In the painting on the right, the creature that was initially inspired by a Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger), but that ended up looking more like a greyhound, is being completely reworked. I am fascinated by the way in which the Thylacine was driven to extinction and the mythic quality of this carnivorous marsupial(it was one of only two marsupials to have pouches in both the male and female). It has come to encapsulate my thoughts on the shift away from paternalistic institutional thinking. I see the Thylacine as a powerful metaphor for one of many unrealized possibilities in the modern era.

The themes that are driving these paintings include everything from Orientalism and Imperialism to retro-futurism and identity. Both paintings are ongoing explorations.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Comic Artwork Up Close

"Speakeasy Studios" Tonalism, Caseins, and a Cavalcade of Books



A collection of books that I am studying and drawing inspiration from. John Singer Sargent, Alphonse Mucha, and (at the bottom of the photo) Thomas Wilmer Dewing's beautiful Tonalist work. Nicholas E. Jainschigg, who shares the space with me, introduced me to a wonderful book on Tonalism given to him by a friend and co-worker.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Sneak a Peak at "Speakeasy Studios"


Here's a look at the studio where I create my work. High ceilings and lots of inspiration in the form of art books, wall art, and the landscape paintings of stablemate Nicholas E. Jainschigg.


A page of sequential comic art that I am drawing, currently on my desk at the studio.


Lastly, is an image showcasing the biggest influence on a painting I posted a while back. Many have noted the obvious similarity to the pose and look of the figure in John Singer Sargent's "Madame X". The painting I am actually inspired by is another version of the painting titled, "Madame Gautreau (Unfinished)", in addition to referencing the work of Thomas Wilmer Dewing, N.C. Wyeth, Alphonse Mucha, Jean-Léon Gérôme, and Manfred Schatz.