Chicken Little

 

pencil on bond paper 8.5x11

GARRET

click on image for sharp enlargement

Zdenek Burian

Illustration by Zdenek Burian, 1950
"Prehistoric Man," 1960

  Illustrations borrowed from the Zdenek Burian blog site

Zdenek Burian

Zdenek Burian created between 15,000- 2,000 paintings and drawings and is credited with illustrating 500 books. He is most noted for his depictions of prehistoric life.

Illustration by Zdenek Burian, 1950
"Prehistoric Man," 1960

The sculpture below is my version of a Neanderthal Clan. It is a bronze sculpture measuring 15”x 40”x 9” and is an edition of one.

The Meanderthals

mcfannartwork

James Montgomery Flagg

    Borrowed from Today's Inspiration Facebook Group

James Montgomery Flagg

 

James Montgomery Flagg, 1915, photographed by Arnold Genthe

Born	June 18, 1877 Pelham Manor, New York, United States
Died	May 27, 1960 (aged 82) New York City, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	artist and illustrator

Garret’s Glen Again

        

 

graphite on 8.5"x 11" bond paper

GARRET

click on pics for sharper image

 While visiting Garret’s Glen yesterday, I came across this idyllic scene. I was able to create this quick pencil sketch before they scampered away.

For another nature drawing from Garret’s Glen, click here.

 

 

 acrylic painting on board of the same size  400.00

Norman Rockwell

  Norman Rockwell

In preparation for a painting, Norman Rockwell worked from photographs and numerous pencil sketches. He also completed a detailed charcoal drawing the same size of the proposed painting. He then commenced his color studies, in which one is shown below. Click on link for a close up zoom control.When I was a youngster, I was enthralled with the narrative in of an illustration. I was particularly interested in the historical genre with a western subject matter. My imagination ran wild as I contemplated the visual scenarios before me.After I received an art education I was more interested in the composition elements of a work of art than the subject matter, such as: the application and arrangement of paint and its ability to create halftones, shadows and highlights to give the illusion of depth on a flat surface.I could no longer be totally engrossed in the naive pleasure of the narrative. This is the price you pay for an art education.Art Historians and educators love to place artists and artwork into nice neat categories. Great art tends to transcend categories and eventually find their rightful place on the museum walls.Some American illustrators/artists are beginning to get the recognition they deserve.For those art educators and critics who continue to judge the worthiness of a work of art based on the genre, subject matter, or the reasons in which it was created I say go beyond the narrative for your education.

                                                         link

Molly

 

 pencil on 8.5"x 11" bond paper

GARRET
click on pick for sharp image

 

COLONIAL WOMAN
18" clay sculpture
edition of 12 to be cast in bronze
mcfannartwork

Strathmore Art Paper

pencil rendering

                                           

GARRET

click on pick for sharp image

 

acrylic painting

Years ago, I requested and received from the Strathmore Art Paper Company, a package of 8.5” x 11” samples of drawing paper. The above drawing was created on a 4ply Museum Board sample.

For a fine detailed pencil rendering you need a smooth finish for the detail, but you also need some tooth (texture) for the graphite to hold on to.  The Strathmore 500 series is the company’s “professional” grade paper.

Also featured here is an acrylic painting on masonite I created from the same subject.