StretchBook

Chop-chop!

2012-02-17T12:09:00.000-05:00

Artists produce thousands of drawings. Most of them are conceptual or drawings needed for refinement prior to beginning the "final" for a particular project. Most artists don't sign everything they draw. I gave a drawing to a friend and they asked me why I hadn't signed it. I didn't know how to answer. Truthfully, I felt that signing a quick sketch was pretentious. Shortly after, I saw some really beautiful drawings by Marc Davis which he had drawn at the Los Angeles Zoo on Andreas Dejas' blog. I noticed a wonderful monogram stamp. I was inspired!

I created my own monogram which you may have seen on the concept drawings I did for Six Wives of Henry VIII and William.

It's not a new concept and I'm assuming Davis was inspired by Asian artists who have applied their seals on prints and drawings.

Asian Seals and Chops
East Asian cultures have been using a seal in the place of a signature for centuries. Usually, the mark is made using a red paste-like ink. The common term for these seals is 'chop' and basically has the equivalent meaning of a stamp. Shapes are usually circular or square. The square shape denotes stability and is usually reserved for contracts and legally binding business documents and the circular shape used by businesses generally since the circle denotes the flow of money.

This is the seal on the label of my Chinese brush set.

People might have three different chops: one for bank transactions, one for documents and legal matters and one for invitations and cards. Chops are usually carved in stone, wood or sometimes even metal.

A Chinese brush set that's too nice for me to use! The small porcelain container on the left contains the red paste for applying the seal and the uncarved chop is propped up on the right side of the set.

A Japanese calligrapher I met told me that signatures are not common practice and that even if all the parties are present, a business deal will not be completed if all chops are not present as well.

William (final)

2012-02-15T12:16:00.001-05:00

William
digital (click to zoom)

"...I will wear my heart upon my sleeve..." or my name upon my collar.

Where's William?

2012-02-13T10:30:00.000-05:00

William concept sketch, graphite (Click to zoom in)

Continuing the series. A final color version is in the works.

Armed but Unable to Use

2012-02-10T12:12:00.000-05:00

Arms & Armor section at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

I visited the Met, one of my most favorite places, and although I traveled equipped with a mechanical pencil loaded with 2H lead, an Alvin Penstix marker, my

Niji Yasutomo Niji Waterbrush and my homemade palette of watercolor pencil (described here).

On the way in, I noticed a sign saying that ink pens and markers were not allowed in the galleries, so I was left with my mechanical pencil and not able to achieve a wide range of value. I use a hard lead normally so my pencil lines don't interfere with watercolor washes.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII (final)

2012-02-08T12:09:00.000-05:00

The Six Wives of Henry VIII
digital (Click on the image to zoom)

Divorced, beheaded, died; Divorced beheaded survived

We all carry the weight of our burdens on our shoulders. We'd all like to be remembered for the strength and heroism with which we persevere through these difficulties. Unfortunately, some are only remembered for those burdens.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII

2012-02-06T11:19:00.001-05:00

Concept sketch for The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Graphite on paper

A final color version is in the works.

From the mouths of babes: LOGOS

2012-01-31T21:58:00.001-05:00

Before my kids could read, they always knew what store we were outside of based on the logo. It's amazing the impression a strong brand makes.

Christmas Speed Paint

2011-12-26T01:27:00.000-05:00

Lighthouse Mural

2011-12-07T11:37:00.001-05:00

Enjoy a time-lapse video of my work on this mural.

Some time ago, I teased at a project I was busy with and as I'm near completion and watching the varnish dry, I thought I'd share. This mural, painted in oils on canvas, measures over 8 feet tall and almost 4 feet wide. It's been designed to fit the wall at the end of a hallway in the home of the patron who commissioned it—floor to ceiling, wall to wall.

The height of my canvas exceeded my actual height in my studio and the 12 inches actually lays on the floor, bringing the figure's feet at the bending point and further creating the illusion of someone standing in my studio.

The canvas hangs, tacked to a strip of wood I installed at the top of my wall, just beneath the crown moulding. When planning the layout of my workspace, I intentionally left that wall bare for exactly this type of large-scale work, where I can make use of my track-lighting normally aimed at my easel.

My First Hunting Trip

2011-11-20T20:44:00.001-05:00

Schuman Farms, oil on canvas 9x12

Deer season opened this past weekend in New York State and I was a part of it. While the majority in our group hunted for white-tail deer, I hunted for a place to paint. I had concerns of being outdoors in a wooded area on a day where most people sharing this day would be armed with a rifle. The scene played out several times in my head for a few days leading up to this trip and in each scene I was outfitted like a convict in an orange jumpsuit-an effort aimed at preserving my life.

After many years of declined invitations, I gave in this year when my brother-in-law asked again. On Friday evening, I picked up my 18 year old nephew and headed out for our 4-hour car ride into upstate New York. Our destination was a house my wife's family owns in Delaware County which is used primarily during hunting season and throughout the year as a retreat from the routine of everyday life. A location so remote, there is no cell phone service from at least the town over to where we'll be. We arrived by midnight to find a quiet house and found our way to the beds that had been set aside for us.

The next morning (4:30 am), the hunters began stirring and getting ready for the day ahead. They all assembled around the kitchen table for their morning breakfast and as I joined them, I saw the group for the first time. We totaled 17 people and 1 dog and just as quickly as they gathered to eat, they ran in different directions in flashes of camouflage and bright orange as they began completing their outfits. They ranged from traditional Elmer Fudd plaid to the prison-orange jumpsuits from my earlier premonitions.

Did someone call Hazmat?

Thankfully, I was spared the prison uniform but I'm not sure crossing guard is my look either.

I was loaned a vest in case I found myself in a wooded area and was spared the jumpsuit. I painted the above painting in the morning. Although I received a good reaction from anyone who has seen it, I was not pleased with it. I almost abandoned it but I remembered what Greg Manchess once told me: It gets ugly before it gets better. So I kept going despite setting up with harsh light on my canvas making it hard to determine paint coverage due to the enhanced texture of the canvas. I also couldn't open my bottle of painting medium. After I was confident I did the best I could, I packed up and headed to the house for some lunch. On the way, I found another spot that I could come back to in the afternoon.

Field Stream, oil on board, 12 x 12

My second session of painting of the day seemed to go better. For starters, I went back to my usual masonite instead of canvas and after breaking the cap of my bottle of medium I felt comfortable with the consistency of my colors.

The evening was filled with all hands helping to prepare the feast that would be dinner amid stories of each hunter's experience. Afterward, dessert was the highlight. My nephews decided to surprise their father for his birthday (which was actually that day) and ordered a special cake for him from Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, NJ, the bakery made famous by TLC's Cake Boss. The detail was incredible and the cake was delicious.

The Cake Boss cake with a figure which looks exactly like my brother-in-law.

Pizza boxes make fantastic wet-painting carriers. Some double-sided tape or tape loops help to secure the painting.

By the time I hit the road for the long drive home on Sunday morning, the totals were 2 deer, 1 bear, a coyote and 2 paintings.

Old Sketchbook

2011-11-16T14:15:00.001-05:00

Flipping through my old sketchbooks, I came across this drawing I did from the rooftop swimming pool of the St George Lycabettus Hotel in Athens, Greece. The view was pretty incredible as the hotel is situated on the base of Mount Lycabettus and provides views of the Acropolis in one direction and the top of Lycabettus in the other. The small detail on the bottom left is the hilltop chapel of Saint George which sits on top of Lycabettus.

Mount Lycabettus is the highest point in the city of Athens and is covered with pine trees. It is traditionally believed that the hill was home to wolves as its name literally means 'place where wolves walk.' Its summit can be reached by a path for those adventurous travelers who don't mind a steep uphill walk or alternatively by funicular. If you are ever in Athens, it should be on your must-see list as it provides incredible views of the Acropolis, particularly at night when the ruins are lit.

TRIBUTE: Bil Keane

2011-11-09T21:37:00.000-05:00

Sadly, I learned the news that Family Circus creator Bil Keane passed away yesterday at the age of 89. Reading The Family Circus comic strip in the newspaper was a Sunday highlight growing up.

I keep an interesting book in my office called The Artist Within which features more than 200 artists photographed in their studios along with a small description and drawing. Below is the spread dedicated to Bil Keane.

Years before I ever realized that Bil Keane was the father of Disney animator Glen Keane, I had written to Bil Keane at the urging of a friend and mentor who had various cartoonist contacts. I don't recall what my letter said but I did receive an answer and a nice little sketch.

Earlier this year, I discovered the art and blog of Claire Keane (Glen's daughter and Bil's granddaughter) and was lucky enough to work with Claire on a project.

While Bil's legacy will live on through his Family Circus work, I thought it would be a fitting tribute to his life and work by sharing the other legacy he leaves behind in the talented family he has inspired as a father and grandfather and artist.

Below is the work of three generations of Keanes.

The Family Circus' Billy greets me in a Bil Keane sketch.

Glen Keane's drawing in my copy of The Art of Tangled.

Claire Keane's cover art for Anne of Green Gables.

Brush Pen from Faber Castell

2011-11-09T11:54:00.000-05:00

A brush pen and control over thick and thin lines delivers stunning results.

"I can't find my ear-muffins!"

2011-11-01T13:16:00.000-04:00

"I can't find my ear-muffins!"

This past weekend, one of my children couldn't find their 'ear-muffins.' I couldn't resist.

Experience Monet

2011-10-24T16:15:00.000-04:00

A fantastic interactive website designed to coincide with the Claude Monet exhibit at the Grand Palais in Paris invites users to interact with his art. You begin by toppling an ink well and then through mouse moves, webcam and microphone directions cause magpies to come to life and winter to become spring.

Enjoy!

Monet Journey

Work in Progress

2011-10-20T14:02:00.000-04:00

Here are two shots from a project currently underway.

Niagara Falls in the Fall

2011-10-14T14:19:00.000-04:00

I spent last weekend taking in the incredible majesty of Niagara Falls. Even though I had been there before, it amazed me to see the immense volume of water crashes over the edge and thundering on the rocks and river below.

2 views of the Falls in my sketchbook. Watercolor pencil and graphite

I sketched this on site in pencil fairly detailed but refrained from adding color as my pages were getting wet from the spray of the ever-present mist of the Falls. I added color later on from memory. Standing beside the edge of the Falls is a real experience, where you can see through the water to see the edge of the cliff beneath and due to the high velocity of the passing water one experiences the illusion that is they who are speeding along rather than the river.

View of the Falls from my hotel room. 8x10 oil on panel

I brought along supplies hoping to get a chance to paint and I was happy to find a great view from my hotel room. I woke up early the next morning and painted while my family got ready for the day. I kept the edge of the hotel in my painting because I thought it was an interesting contrast of raw natural beauty and the evidence of man. This was a particular challenge painting directly into the sunrise.

This woman, her husband, a dog and six kiwis all walk into an elevator...

2011-09-23T16:45:00.000-04:00

When a friend posted the following on her facebook page,

I couldn't resist sketching this and attaching as a response. Enjoy!

Cape Cod Weekend

2011-09-20T13:37:00.000-04:00

Breakwater Beach, Cape Cod - 12x12 oil on board

Finally painting after scouting for an hour.

Over the weekend, I traveled up to Cape Cod, MA for the wedding of friends and besides packing my suit, I packed along my easel and supplies because the weather predicted for the weekend was perfect painting weather. It was incredibly beautiful and the bride could not have asked for better weather and neither could I.

After driving around for an hour scouting for a place to paint, I settled on a spot in Brewster known as Breakwater Beach. This location happened to be the first spot I found and I need to trust my instincts from now on and paint in the first location rather than driving around in search of something better. The tide was low and I now had only about an hour and a half to paint. Maybe the search is part of the experience and maybe the pressure of time wasted adds to the end result.

My sketchbook was in hand for the entire trip to record our experiences. As we made our way up, we stopped for a slice at Mystic Pizza and while waiting for our food I sketched the scene of Main Street from the front window. Our retreat would not have been complete if I didn't get to sketch at least one lighthouse. We drove up the coast and found the Three Sisters Lighthouses of Nauset and in a show of responsible parenting to combat Middle Child Syndrome, I gave that middle sister some attention and added her to my sketchbook. Okay, she's the only one whose top is still intact, so that's why I really chose her. Incidentally, they are named Three Sisters, because when they sat on the shoreline from afar they resembled three women in white dresses with black hats.

As part of the wedding gift, I found this framed vintage view of Times Square and painted in the caricatures of the bride and groom (and their dog) amid the bustle of the city.

Sketching the World

2011-09-07T11:58:00.001-04:00

Here are two pages from my sketchbook from a recent trip to Florida. These were done either sitting in a restaurant waiting for dinner or standing in a crowd waiting for fireworks or here or there waiting for one or the other in a shop or in an attraction.

The New Yorker Blog takes notice!

2011-08-18T11:45:00.000-04:00

A while back, author and illustrator James Gurney asked readers of his blog to participate in "The New Yorker Magazine Unfinished Cover Contest ". This was an unofficial contest but after receiving entries the editors of the magazine and the original artist responded favorably and decided to publish an article about it on their blog.

My entry is included in the slideshow of 'new' covers.

New Yorker Cover Story: "More than Mona Lisa Mustaches" by Emily Kan

Bird Girl

2011-08-14T16:03:00.002-04:00

Human Emotions and Facial Expressions Guide

2011-08-13T20:18:00.000-04:00

A fantastic poster-sized guide to human emotions and facial expressions has been put together by Cedarseed. Click the link to see and download your guide.

Sketching Shakespearience

2011-08-09T11:16:00.000-04:00

From the sketchbook

A color sketch in oil

Sketch Video Experiment

2011-08-01T10:23:00.000-04:00

Here's an experimental video I made of me sketching. Now that I've worked out some of the issues producing this type of video, I hope to use videos like these in future posts to show work in progress, literally!