A few new celebs...

Heya all, haven't had much time for caricatures lately but I thought I'd post a few I was able to squeeze in. Any guesses???

Ladies Night....

Women are more difficult to draw/caricature than men. This is fact. Proven by science. Without a doubt. Which is why I have so much respect for people like Katie Rice and Shane Glines. They are a few of my favorite 'girl artists' working today. The truth is that they are actually much more than 'girl artists' that just happens to be one of their specialties. I think one of the tricks to drawing well is the mastery of the female form, once you have that beautiful, subtle thing down everything else must just be childs play. Unfortunately, I wouldn't know, my girl drawings are sorely lacking but every once in a while I get inspired by seeing a Glines, or a Rice or even a Moore or a Blair girl and think...gee that doesn't look so hard, think I'll give that a try. And inevitably I fail to achieve the kind of subtle, beautiful appeal that's inherent in each of these artists drawings. So...in the meantime, here are some practices of celebrity female caricature, any guesses?

Three more guesses

So I did three more caricatures to share tonight. The first one I struggled with for about an hour and a half and is like the 50th version. I don't think I achieved a very good likeness at all. After finishing it though, I left the drawing board for about a half hour, came back and did these next two in about 10 minutes each and achieved a better likeness(I think). Why does it work that way sometimes?? Seems like the more work and effort you put into a drawing should result in a better payout, but a lot of time that's not the case. Who has the answer?? And who can guess who these hot celebrity heads belong too???

Celebrity Hour...

It's pretty intimidating to post celebrity caricatures after John K. He has a way of making other peoples art look tame and poorly drawn. Thought I'd give it a shot anyway and see if anyone can guess who these famous celebs are and if you're so inclined, leave some critiques.

Evening at the Bowl...

Saturday night for me was one of those times when you're actually glad to live in LA. My wife-to-be and I went on our annual trip to the Hollywood Bowl where we were fortunate enough to listen to the amazing song stylings of Tony Bennett. Mr. Bennett may be getting up there in age but his lungs can still pack a wallop! Of course my fiancee and I weren't around when his music was popular, but then again neither was he. Tony sang the standards by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald but he did so during the 50's and 60's when Rock and Roll was king. Despite bucking the trends in modern music he was able to sustain a very successful career for decades. I only wish that these caricatures could do Mr. Bennett the justice that he deserves...

Hollywood by John...2

Katie posted some John K caricatures over at her site www.funnycute.blogspot.com She also divulged some truly priceless information gleaned from our caricature theory night with Mr. Kricfalusi, information that I pleaded with her not to share so as that we could hog it all for ourselves. Being the kind person she is however, she not only shared the drawings and info but conned me into doing the same. Now I'm not nearly as eloquent in my writings as Ms Katie so I'll just post the drawings and let them speak for themselves. I will share one little tip though....Star magazine. Enjoy...

First Time Painter...

After admiring some of the Sam Berman caricature paintings at www.cartoonretro.com I got the painting bug. So this afternoon my friends Katie and Luke were kind enough to escort me to the art store and help me pick out some paints. Never having painted before I found the process both relaxing and frustrating. Relaxing in that I didn't have to worry about producing something under a deadline and frustrating in that I have no idea what I'm doing and can't seem to get what I have in my head down on the paper. Thought I'd post what I did anyway and hopefully get some feed back. One of the things I really like about some of the Berman paintings is the tonal contrast, something that this painting is sorely lacking. Hopefully the next one will be better and the hundred bucks I dropped on painting supplies won't be a total waste...

New Web Logs!!!

My pals Tony Mora and Sean Szeles (aka stick) have both started their own very interesting and unique web logs. I've known Tony for about 6 years now and he and I have worked together on projects ranging from He Hog the Atomic Pig and Weekend Pussy Hunt to Polly Pocket and The Buzz on Maggie. Tonys site www.sobaditsgood.blogspot.com focuses on the unique murals you see on the sides of many Mexican butcher shops (carnicerias) and markets in the Los Angeles area. Seans web log "Face it" www.seanszeles.blogspot.com features many of his charming napkin doodles, sketches, studies and 'idears' about cartoons and the like. Check 'em out!!!