Clint

Just finished this for FDU. I love Clint Eastwood, and his face.

This is a Gemsbok

Sorry internets... I appear to have let the ol' blog collect some dust as of late. I have a pretty big back-log of stuff to post as a result, like this Gemsbok. I'm taking this really fun class at the Museum of Natural History (those of you who know me may know that it's my favorite place in the world) where we get to go draw the animals in the dioramas after hours when 9483984039403 tourists aren't leaning all over you asking what you're drawing. It's quiet, and you get to really soak the place in. Despite the fact that it has almost no relation to what I do, I feel like the art in the murals in that museum are a big part of what inspired me to want to make art in the first place -- you can just get so lost in them. It's a treat to be able to do this week after week.

I've got a few commissions to share too, so stay tuned!

Mitt-Bot

A work in progress. My favorite is the figure in the top left oiling him like he's the tin man.

1931

In 1931, a somewhat young (I'm more familiar with his later stuff, like "You Can't Take it With You", or more famously "It's a Wonderful Life") Lionel Barrymore won Best Actor for his portrayal of Stephen Ashe in "A Free Soul".

It was weird drawing him younger. I'm used to him having much longer eyebrows.

Politicians

New spots for FDU Alumni Magazine! Newark Mayor Corey Booker (top) and former New Jersey Governor and current New Jersey Senate member Richard Codey.

1929 and 1930 and 2012?

In 1929 (top), Warner Baxter won best actor for his portrayal of The Cisco Kid in "In Old Arizona". And he apparently wore an ENORMOUS hat.

In 1930 (bottom), George Arliss won best actor for playing Bejamin Disraeli in "Disraeli".

I broke my own pact by not posting last week, but in my own defense, I spent most of last week away from my studio for the holidays! Lame excuse. As a result, there'll be another post this week. There has to be anyways, because I have another few small spots for FDU coming up very quickly, but I'd also like to get another actor or two in.

Here's to an excellent, illustration-filled 2012!! Picture making for the win!!

Oscar Project

I've decided that I need a new, enormous, long term personal project. I really liked my presidents, so I figured I'd do a new collection of black and white portraits. The trick with this kind of thing, though, is that I need decent reference, and it has to be relatively easily accessible. Also, I'd like it to be somewhere within my realm of interest. So as it happens, I love watching movies, and I really, really love watching the Oscars -- I know it's completely ridiculous, but it's so much fun! I can't help myself every year!

So, my new project is to draw every single Best Actor winner since the beginning. If it goes well, it will be followed by every single best Actress winner since the beginning. Since the oscars are in their 84 year this year, that's.... a lot of drawings. But if I finish at least one a week, I should finish sometime next year! Like the presidents project, it will be a great way for me to keep my drawing fresh, and I'll have a nifty little thing in the end. With the presidents, I knew what they all looked like, so I think it was easier. With many of the first actors, I am not going to be familiar with their looks in advance, making for a really fun challenge.

I'm going to try to draw each actor in costume for the film in which they won. First up: Emil Jannings, for "The Last Command" (In 1927).