Decided to shake things up a bit and do some smaller scale watercolours for a while. All of these are of my left hand (in case you couldn’t tell). The bottom one got a bit cut off in the scanning process. Ah well. The colours are kind of off in this, I think they look much more realistic in person. I was going for a slightly Leyendeckerish colouring scheme here. What do you think?
The Critic, Norman Rockwell.
Daniel Caylor has done the illustration and animation industry a great service by scanning in and uploading the Famous Artists Course, set up by none other by Norman Rockwell and Albert Dorne. It’s been widely touted as some of the best educational material for representational art. I’m providing a mirror here, but you really should go to Daniel Caylor’s site here: www.onanimation.com . He provides the links and plenty of pieces showing the talents of the teachers.
Here is the mirror of the course.
1. Introduction: Commercial Art & Illustration
2. The artist’s materials and how to use them
3. Form – the basis of drawing
4. Composition – how to make pictures
6. Artistic anatomy and the human figure in motion
7. Constructing the head and hands
8. Drawing clothes, draperies, and costumes
9. Figure composition – arranging figures in a pictures
10. Creating variety in forms, textures, and surfaces
11. Perspective for the artist
13. Animal drawing – the animal in action
14. The human family – creating people of all types
15. Advanced pictorial composition
16. Advanced line drawing and tonal painting
17. Colour – the theory and practice of painting
18. Principles of experimental design
19. Advertising and editorial design and layout
Some people put them onto a disc and print them out at a printer’s. It’s often nicer to have the paper format while working away. I plan on doing this myself.
Thanks once more to Dan Caylor for putting such gems out there for us all to enjoy!
The first one (Rainbowman) is a sketch in ballpoint pen brought into Photoshop and done up there. The second one (Madonna and Child) is in oil on thick paper. Both of these were done in the past week while on holidays. I’m really enjoying having this time to work on my art, it’s been too long.
Rainbowman (ballpoint pen and Photoshop)
Nollaig Shona Duit (Merry Christmas to you all) and have a very peaceful holiday season. I’ll see you on the other side of 2010, or maybe sooner- I’m planning on doing some more painting today!
1. For the Love of God, Damien Hirst (2007).
8,601 diamonds were used to encrust this skull (previously occupied between 1720-1810) and its curious name came from Hirst’s mother who asked ‘For the love of God, what are you going to do next?’ The most expensive piece of art ever, it cost 14 million to produce and the asking price is 50 million sterling. It’s odd because looks so frivolous (and it is) and makes us question the value of money. This came right before the recession, when the Celtic Tiger was still roaring. Looking at this makes us think about just how blasé we all were about spending money. How things have moved on since then.
2. HOPE, Shepard Fairey (2008).
Whether or not you are an Obamaniac, the HOPE poster can’t have failed to capture your attention during the 2008 US presidential campaign. It works because of its simplicity and striking design- you can recognize it from a window on the top floor of an apartment building, as a badge on the bag of someone cycling past you, crinkled up into a banner-the American colours of red, white and blue onto a photo of Obama with the contrast pushed up and ‘HOPE’ in large capitals beneath- the message is clearly sent through. Even staunch Republicans admitted that it was a pretty damn good feat of graphic design and will probably follow the Che Guevara poster down into design history, gracing posters on college walls and pencilcases in the decades to come.
3. 9/11, photographer unknown (2001)
On September 11, 2001, two planes were hijacked by Al-Quaeda and flown into the World Trade Centre. More planes were headed towards the Pentagon and the deaths of 2,974 people excluding the nineteen hijackers resulted. It’s hard to think back to that period when a world war seemed imminent and all the news stations and newspapers constantly pumped out more news looking for Bin Laden, the war in Afghanistan &c, without thinking of the images from that day. They have become enmeshed into the cultural memory and have made the most impact of any photography produced in the last ten years.
4. The Scream, Edvard Munch (1893)
Munch’s iconic painting made the news big time in 2004 when it was stolen from the Norwegian National Gallery. It was recovered in ‘06 and the perpetrators ordered to pay the city of Oslo reparations of € 86.7 million. It’s probably the most well known art theft since the Mona Lisa was snatched from the Louvre in 1911.
5. Turner Prize, Grayson Perry (2003)
The Turner Prize has often been a topic of discussion around the watercooler, but none more so than the famed ‘03 transvestite potter, Grayson Perry who also goes by his alter ego ‘Claire’. The hairy potter (see what I did there?) saved Britart from itself by casting a sense of fun upon the proceedings. His brightly coloured, dolls-house attire provide a curious contrast with the subject of his pottery (everything from child abuse to broken homes). It’s hard not to think of how they might be linked. Is he trying to make himself more vulnerable, asking for help? Is he using it as a way to free himself from his childhood? Who knows, perhaps not even Perry himself. He’s on this list for changing the way people think about art and how it reflects society. The Noughties has seen the rise of ’social artists’, a generation of creators who use their work like journalists use the written word- to put a voice to what people are seeing and thinking in daily life.
One month left to go of the decade now known as the Noughties. Who shall we say has defined the culture of our decade? Here we go:
1. IKEA
Houses have never looked so simple and been so streamlined before this Swedish giant took over the world. I’ve been to IKEAS in several different countries and everywhere they are populated with people looking for reasonably priced Scandinavian design, Swedish meatballs and lingonberry sauce. It’s also a fun way to spend an afternoon and has become almost more of a lifestyle than a store. There’s no denying that IKEA has changed our homes and our culture. Their recent font change in their catalogue rocked the media world earlier on this year. If you can’t even change your font without undermining the stability of the world, you have domination.
2. PIXAR
Disney was dead; the future of films looked uncertain with ‘Night of the Horrors sequel 28′ set to be a reality on the billboard. Then John Lassetter, a grad of CalArts, set up Pixar. Toy Story came out in 1995 and since then they’ve climbed the stars and changed things. It’s now not unusual to hear adults discussing The Incredibles at a dinner party, because they have changed entertainment to something that appeals to all ages. There’s no age barrier for good fun and Pixar has certainly left its mark.
3. APPLE
This one barely needs explanation. This is a PC; This is a Mac. Apple have shifted the look of technology from functional but boring beige boxes to shiny, smooth and seductive designs with touchscreens and gadget wizardry that makes even Bill Gates’ wife lust after the newest Iphone. As the world becomes more and more tech-savvy, rare is the person that hasn’t coveted an Apple product at least once in the last year or so.
4. DAMIEN HIRST
If you ask your father to name any contemporary artist, chances are he’ll hem and haw for a bit, then say ‘Oh, how about the fellow who pickled the sharks/sawed a sheep in half/encrusted a skull with diamonds? Himself.’ He’s referring to Damien Hirst, the British artist who has done all the above and many more. He’s wormed his way into the apple of the Britart scene and has become a firm favourite with the art tycoon Charles Saatchi, known both for his impressive art gallery and equally impressive paunch. Hirst has become a household name and that’s why he’s on this list. Tracey Emin has too, but not to such a degree. Hirst’s name will go on to become one of the names that define art from our period. Monet, Picasso, Duchamp, Warhol, Hirst. Wait and see.
5. CHUCK CLOSE
‘Who?’ Close isn’t as well known outside of America, but he spearheaded the hyperrealist movement which will be known by those who come after us. Born in 1940 in Washington, Close became famous for producing massive canvases which, from a distance, looked photographic but resolved into low-resolution pixelated pieces when viewed at closer quarters. Close’s work has spawned several imitators several of which, curiously enough, are sculptors. Mu Boyan and Duane Hanson to name just two. You can’t go into a good modern art museum now without being faced by at least one or two pieces by either Close or his disciples. That’s why he makes this list.
Do you think I left someone out? Let us know in the comments!
‘Tis that time of year again, when our thoughts turn towards the ones we love and what they love. It can be difficult to choose presents at the best of times, but what if your intended recipient is obsessed with different types of alkyd medium or the difference between Helvetica and Arial? This gift guide will help you choose what will be in your lovingly wrapped present this year.
1. Gift Voucher from K&M Evans.
The ubiquitous gift voucher always goes over well, particularly for any art students you know who are mostly penniless and always gasping for a new bucket of gesso. K&M Evans is an art shop tucked away in an unusual place- off Mary’s Abbey on Meetinghouse Lane. If you don’t know where this is, fret not- the map below will guide your steps.
In general, follow the Luas tracks towards Heuston station until you see a language school and a little alleyway on your right hand side embellished with graffiti. You’re on your way towards one of the best art shops in the country. For artistic types, this counts as a sort of heaven that you could gladly spend hours pottering around in. They have their own brand, you can buy canvas on a roll and what’s better- there’s a student discount. What’s not to love?
2. Taschen books.
Available from just about any good tome merchant, Taschen specialize in art, architecture, design and photography books. There’s pretty much nothing they don’t cover, which means that even the most avant-garde will probably find something to their liking. Illustrators or Vis-Comm people may like Illustration Now! which comes out every year and is rapidly becoming a bible of sorts for illustrators.
Fashionistas are also covered for with 100 Contemporary Fashion Designers, photographers by Street & Studo: An Urban History of Photography. The Taschen website is addictive and affords hours of pleasant trawling. Most of the Taschen books can be purchased quite reasonably on Amazon. Keep an ear out to see whether your loved one comments that this, that or the other artist is particularly fantastic, then hit up on the Taschen to find a corresponding wunderbook.
3. Something New.
Part of being an an artist is a curiosity for experimentation. This means that the artistically inclined are often more willing to play around with anything you get them. Try giving them something to break their boundaries. Give a graphic designer a pack of polymer clay, available on ebay or Amazon. If your sister is a metalwork student in NCAD, try getting her some artist grade Windsor & Newton watercolours and some 300lb hot-pressed watercolour paper. It will most likely get used at some point and you may even be sparking off a new obsession.
4. The Basics
Keep an eye on what the recipient uses the most. If they’re anything like me, reams of paper will be used up in no time. If you’re in a lecture with them, watch what they do during a lecture, if they are doodling constantly and creating masterpieces beside their graphs, chances are they’d appreciate a nice moleskine sketchbook. Moleskines are having their day in the sun now and they are very easy to find. Chapters on Parnell St have a rather lovely selection. The more elaborate moleskines are leather bound with leather strips to tie them shut. There are two types of sketchbook- one for taking with you to sketch during the day and the other to work the sketches out more- this one is usually kept in the studio. If you’re looking for a travel moleskine, try and get one around A6 size- they are easiest to carry around with you.
If they work mostly in oils or watercolour and you’re financially limited, get them the biggest tube of white you can get- it’s always the colour used up first and the one that has to be replenished most frequently. This will be appreciated. Older and wiser artists will most likely have a cache of white, in which case you might like to get them a few brushes.
The most commonly used brushes are the filberts and flats and both are stupendously flexible. Flats are the square brushes; filberts are like flats but with rounded edges. The below image shows the difference.
Rounds are useful for people who like to fiddle around with tiny detailed pieces. If their work is smooth and with a lot of blending between colours, a fan brush will probably be appreciated. A two-inch flat brush is often used for the first toning layers and will always get used, unless your friend is a miniature painter.
In order to pick out a good brush in the store, get the brush and run your thumb length-wise across the tip of each brush’s bristles to check it out. The hairs should be stiff and snap back into place. If they don’t, put it back.
If the brush will be used by an oil painter, look for a natural bristle. Synthetic bristles are better for watercolour, acrylics, gouache, etc.
Also suggested is a pochade box. They are little boxes that carry paintbrushes, paints and have a little stand for the easel in the lid.
5. FUNK
‘But my friend doesn’t fulfil any of the above categories!’ you cry. ‘He or she is completely unique and the world has not known the like.’ What to get for the artist who has everything? Whose turrets are filled with Taschen books and the paintbox is brimming over with goodness? What then?
If you come from a family of billionaires and all my previous suggestions are moot, what then? Why, how about a cultural holiday? Send your lucky friend off to Florence to participate in a two-week summer workshop at the Angel Academy of Art (http://www.angelartschool.com/workshops.html) There, the blessed recipient can paint the Tuscan landscape, bone up on their anatomy or pick up tips for painting your portrait upon their return.
If Italy isn’t their cup of tea, try sending them off to the MOMA in New York to see the Tim Burton exhibition, running from November 22, 2009–April 26, 2010. It includes artwork generated during the conception and production of his films, and highlights a number of unrealized projects and never-before-seen pieces, as well as student art, his earliest non-professional films, and examples of his work as a storyteller and graphic artist for non-film projects.
There are also painting holidays being offered just about anywhere in the world, from the wilderness of Achill Island in Mayo to the bohemian paradise of Paris. Google Atelier , workshop and your chosen location and it won’t be long before you come up with the goods.
There’s really something for everyone here and for every budget. If you have any suggestions, please share them in the comments!
Linda Bergkvist was a regular on a forum I used to frequent (and still do) and she was known for her beautiful art, but just as much for her wonderful masks. You can see some of them here:
http://www.furiae.com/images2/maskies/
Since then I’ve had a yearning to make my own masks and I finally did this past weekend. Here are some pictures.
Making masks is a great way to pass the time of a rainy evening. Give it a go yourself, it’s not hard.
Last week I found out that one of my favourite artists and illustrators, Dave McKean was coming to town. Needless to say the ensuing week was an exciting one full of anticipation.
McKean was in Easons on O’Connell Street promoting his new childrens’ book in collaboration with Neil Gaiman. I arrived early by mistake, but this was great as I got to see the man himself set up.
The talk started off with McKean discussing the various publications and films he’d been involved in. His sheer fecundity never ceases to amaze me. He’s worked in several areas as a graphic novelist, CD covers, concept art (Harry Potter), cover illustration, stamps for the Royal Mail, childrens’ books and even film directing (the wonderful Mirrormask) and even more besides. Most recent is ‘Crazy Hair’ and the new Heston Blumenthal cookbook. He described going for a meal at the Fat Duck (Blumenthal’s restaurant) and gave a compelling tale of magic and science blended together in a wonderful cornucopia of edible comestibles. I want to eat there.
Did I mention he’s also an accomplished jazz pianist and that he founded Feral Records? Well, he is and he did.
McKean’s art is surreal and wonderful at the same time. It reminds me of a fusion of the Brothers Quay and silent films, which he said he drew a lot of inspiration from. His next book will be based on this (at least, I think that’s what he said!)
McKean talks about 'Two Goldfish'.
The time went quickly, with the audience consisting mostly of illustrators, art students and McKeanophiles, the Q&A took nearly as long as the talk itself. He spent most of the time smiling and cracking jokes and talking very earnestly about his art. I like him even more now than I did before, if that’s possible.
I lined up to get my copy of ‘Crazy Hair’ and McKean was kind enough to pose for a photo:
Here I am with a great artist and a lovely person to boot.
What’s more- he gave my book a lovely flourish with this drawing!
Thanks for the art, Dave!
Go check out his website. Don’t delay, go today.
The Night of Horrors approaches: the days are growing shorter, the winds wilder and the shadows longer. Hallowe’en is based on the Irish festival of Oíche Shamhna. These days it’s known as Hallowe’en (Holy Evening) the evening before All Souls Day. Irish mythology is well imbued with horrific tales, including the Bean Sí (Banshee) who gets her kicks by sitting on the roofs of houses combing her long hair, knocking on the windows of children at night and, should they answer the knocks and open the window, stealing them away. Jack O’Lanterns (carved pumpkins) were originally carved out of turnips and look creepier when the light is flickering away inside. They shrivel up with age to resemble shrunken heads.
With such a terrifying background, it’s only natural that I should look Hallowe’en artists at this time of year. Today I’ll be talking about Basil Gogos.
Greek-born and American-educated, (several art schools including in the Art Students League of New York where he studied under Frank J. Reilly) Gogos broke into the illustration field by winning a competition for Pocket Books. His work has been mostly for mens’ adventure magazines, but he is best known for his work for Warren Publishing.
Here we get to the fun part.
His works for Warren were for the covers of a magazine named ‘Famous Monsters of Filmland’. It looks like it sounds- his works for the publication are all of famous monsters and became iconic. You’ve probably seen some of them before. He gave us the infamous Christopher Lee as Dracula (below)
Not to mention Frankenstein’s monster:
Basil Gogos, Frankenstein's Monster.
Lon Chaney as he’s never been seen before:
Lon Chaney, London at Midnight.
Technique:
Most of Gogos’ pieces are acrylic on paper. You’ll see a good deal of his works from the 90s, most of the mens’ magazine pieces are from the 60s and the 70s. The monster pieces came much later.
The good news? You can buy your own Gogos!
That’s right. Here you go.
If you’re gaga for Gogos, you can obtain a collection of his work on Amazon- ‘Famous Monster Movie Art of Basil Gogos’. Go..go!
(No monsters were hurt in the making of this pun.)
One of my favourite parts of being a Trinity student is the location of the university; in the centre of Dublin city and right beside the National Gallery of Ireland. Needless, to say, I have spent many a lunch hour wandering amongst the art and browsing their excellent bookshop. Seriously, go look at their bookshop if you’re in the area.
Last time I went, I decided to focus on a single room- European Art 1850-1950. It’s in a curious part of the building, being tucked away below the French/Irish/British Art section in the Dargan wing. You might be surprised at what they have. I know I was. They have Picasso’s Still Life with Mandolin (from his Blue Period), Gris, Modigliani (why the long face?), Nolde, not one but two Bonnards, Van Gogh, Signac and the endearingly atmospheric Monet (River Seine, Autumn) . I particularly liked the Maissomer and Sorolla.
Thomas Couture’s ‘A Realist’ was there too. As an artist, I love seeing paintings of artists from times gone by:
Thomas Couture 'A Realist' , 1865. Chester Beatty gift.
Narcisse Berchére’s ‘Eastern Scene with Minaret’ reminds us that this was the time of cultural interest in all things Eastern. I can’t find it on the internet (go over to the gallery if you want to see it!) but here’s one that bears some similarity to it:
Berchére, 'A Busy Street in Cairo.'
Most of my surprise was reserved for the fact that they have some beautiful pieces by Geróme, usually reserved for places like the Louvre. Again, the piece that’s there, ‘The Guards at the Door’ isn’t on the internet, but here’s the sort of thing to look out for:
Geróme, Eminence Gris
Some mighty powerful stuff indeed.
Gustave Caillebotte represents with the ‘Banks of Canal near Naples’. This is an amazingly poor representation of it:
Caillebotte: Banks of Canal near Naples.
It goes without saying that the works are far (far, far) better in person. If you have some spare time to hand and you want to see some really beautiful art, walk down Nassau St. to Clare St and pay Picasso a visit.
