Single figure portraits

-Jesper EjsingDoing a single figure portrait is a favourite discipline of mine. I try to minimize the background to almost only a texture surface at the bottom or even only a cast shadow to show that the figure is not hovering in midair. I put all in the figure. What I like about this kind of illustration is the clean and simple expression. I do not have to tell a story or place him or her in an environment. I do not have to consider all these things...

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Taking my own advice

-Dan dos SantosSo after imploring countless people to register their artwork with the U.S. Copyright Office, I am proud to say that I finally got around to doing it myself! My Certificate of Registration just arrived in the mail the other day, and I'm psyched!I honestly don't know why it took me so long, the process is incredibly easy. Basically, all you need is $30 and half an hour... and you can register everything you've ever painted.Typically,...

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Illustration

by Arnie Fenner All the chatter for some time now has been regarding the evolution in publishing from print to digital. E-books this, tablets that: get content on your computer, on your smart phone, on your Kindle/Nook/IPad. Print is dead, yadayadayada. Me? Though I've got all the gadgets and use them daily I still prefer to pick up a good ol' fashioned newspaper or book or magazine when I want to read, either for enjoyment or to learn something.The...

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Authenticity and fairytales

by Petar MeseldzijaFor a number of years I have been dreaming of illustrating the Serbian fairytales.  While flipping  through the books on fairytales illustrated by Ivan Bilibin, Arthur Rackham or John Bauer, I would often wonder how to tackle such a challenge. A few years ago I did illustrate one Serbian fairytale for a Norwegian publisher, as a part of the collection of fairytales from all around the world. In fact I was offered to illustrate...

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Studio Safety Pt. 2 - The Facts About Turpentine

-Dan dos SantosNow that we know how to avoid the dangers of Solvents, let's discuss WHY we need to. First, some facts, as well as common misconceptions, about the hazards of turpentine.*************************************************-Turpentine is made from tree sap.True.Turpentine is made from the distilled resin of Pine trees. It is actually all-natural, wether or not it says so on the label.-Turpentine is cancerous.False.Turpentine is TOXIC,...

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John Carter

It's great to get a chance to work on stuff that meant much to me when I was a kid.Dejah Thoris.... How I wanted to be John Carter...and for that matter,  Tarzan, Thor, Hulk, Scalphunter, and probably Earl Cambell....More soon on this...-Justin Sw...

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Frank Duveneck Study

-Gregory ManchessThis is the first painting I remember that froze me in place. It’s the piece that caused me to paint the way I do. One of Frank Duveneck’s many fabulous studies, a preparation for some of the more rendered pieces made during his career. He was a virtuoso with the brush, only thirty-one when he painted it.This face dwells in my head whenever I hold the brush, whenever I lay down the paint, guiding my efforts by reminding me to stay...

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Studio Safety Pt. 1 - Ventilation

-By Justin GerardIn this article we are going to cover proper studio ventilation for the artist, with a focus on dealing with solvents. We will cover the various options for setting up a studio, and a few options you can use if no ventilation is possible. Almost all illustrators working in oil use solvents.  They are used for a wide variety of tasks: mixing, thinning, dissolving and cleaning paint as well as for making mediums, varnishes...

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Phil Hale Interview

-By John Jude PalencarThere is a Phil Hale interview over at Sidebar Nation. Phil is one of my favorite illustrators and now an emerging force in the fine arts. Sidebar was started by two crazy art dudes, Swain and Dwight... think of Garth and Wayne from Wayne’s World but with art.Phil Hale Interview link  (Downloadable MP3 link on this page)Addendum page with Phil's work...

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Boskone

If you're in Boston this weekend, take the opportunity to see Dan Dos Santos in his role as Artist Guest of Honor at Boskone. I have it on pretty good authority that our Fellow Muddy Gregory Manchess and the effervescent Irene Gallo will be present as well...

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