From Photo to Art--Farrah Fawcett

One of the most popular non-nude pieces I have ever created is actually one of my oldest---a portrait of Farrah Fawcett.


This artwork was actually created when I was in college.  We were to create a drawing based on a photo of our choosing at the beginning of the quarter, and then reproduce it at the end.  I have no clue what happened to the first one, but I was pleased with the second.  So was my wife---this hangs in our rec room, and we have had several people ask for prints..


The drawing was based on Farrah's iconic Playboy cover from December 1978.  At the time, she was one of the most popular celebrities in the US, but had not yet posed nude (that came in the 1990's, also in Playboy).


I was really attracted to the tease pose used on the cover, and the way she wears the man's shirt very provocatively.  At the time, I was striving more for an artistic recreation of the original image, although later on my wife asked me to change the wine glass to a martini glass with green olive.  


Farrah's hair was all the rage back then, and I really tried to capture that in the artwork.  I also tried to overemphasize the smoothness in her legs, as I thought it looked like she was wearing nylon stockings, which are very sexy.


But, it always comes down to making the drawing look like the subject, especially when it is a celebrity. Everyone knows what the person looks like, and any mistakes or imperfections can ruin the art.  It must be recognizable. Judging by the feedback I've received, I think I achieved that.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a Happy & Prosperous New Year,  and great health for 2011.


I'm personally looking forward to 2011, as 2010 was very 'challenging,' to say the least.  I realize that most New Year's Resolutions are never kept; however, I've established some personal goals and will work hard to keep them.  And a couple of commissions to start off the new year always help out too!


Please be safe in your celebrations this season.  

Marisol, a Christmas commission from 2008

On An Artist's Self Promotion

With the early, growing commercialism of the Christmas season, is it wrong for an artist like me to market his artwork and/or services?  Usually I'm very busy each holiday season with commissions, until this year, probably because of the economy, the limited appeal of my subject matter---who knows?


I recall when I decided to leave the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in late 1981 to attend Northern Illinois University to purse a commercial art degree, several of my friends called me a 'prostitute,' as I my goal was to have a 9-5 job creating art (remember, this is before PC's, Macs and Illustrator).   I only wanted to have a career in art, to somehow create things. I didn't originally intend to even do female nudes!


Now, working a regular job in marketing, learning art programs on the fly, I still get great satisfaction creating images of female nudes----what I consider the most beautiful of God's creations.  And while it's very nice that people have purchased art from me, I still just enjoy  drawing!


Please forgive my shameless self-promotion.  As it is the holiday season,  I do have some art available for gift giving this year.  I have a couple  13" x 19" photo prints available of Lindsey Vuolo & Carlotta Champagne for only $10 (plus $3 shipping).  Limited supplies available. Contact me www.erotic-pinups.com for information.  Happy Holidays, all!

On Facebook and Censorship...Part 3

UPDATE:  After someone posted on a ModelMayhem.com thread that FB does specifically not allow implied nudes, I checked it out again....I did a more thorough search, and it is here, under General Guidelines, thrown in with excessive skin and cleavage.  So I stand corrected....to a point.


Recently, I have written about Facebook's extremely vague Terms of Service, specifically here  and more recently here.

Yesterday morning, I woke up to find over 20 Facebook Warnings in my email box, advising me that my images 'violated the Terms of Service, "  & were deleted.  (Note: more were removed today).   As I pointed out in the recent blogs, the Facebook Terms of Service are very vague...there are no clear definitions of nudity, & while all but one of my images had little white boxes on the naughty bits, down they came.


As a member of ModelMayhem.com, an industry social site, there are specific methods to contact site moderators with questions, complain about another member or an uploaded image.  There are very specific guidelines on what constitutes a nude (18+) image, and what will not be allowed.  Unfortunately, Facebook doesn't have such definitions.  Since Facebook is almost completely member-regulated, there is no 'due process.'  Any image can be reported by a member, and they will take it down.  No questions asked, no chance for the offender to appeal.  Done.

One of the basic tenants of the US Constitution is the right to face your accusers.  That is not possible at Facebook, unfortunately, and perhaps that is by design-----they can claim ignorance in such cases, especially with their vague Terms of Service.


As for me, I have decided not to fight Facebook, as there is obviously someone on my Fan Page that doesn't like my censored art nudes (ironic that he/she would join in the first place).  I have learned the hard way that Facebook is close-minded to the arts, so I instead will invite people to visit my art website at www.erotic-pinups.com.  It features most of my nude art with no censorship; I hope to have it revamped by early next year.

From Photo to Art--Carlotta Champagne

This popular feature was actually started in my old email newsletters with this image of the wonderfully talented and beautiful Playboy model, Carlotta Champagne.  Since I use photos exclusively as reference for my artwork, I'm often asked how many changes I make to the original photo in the final drawing. 

There is no one answer; it really depends on what I want the final drawing or painting to look like.  Sometimes, except for some minor changes, the reference photo is very close to finished piece.  Very often, however, I make major changes from the original photo to create the illustration.  


Here is an example of how I made some major changes to a photo for a portrait of Carlotta.  The reference pic was taken by my good friend, photographer Rob Domaschuk, in my rec room.  On some of the shots, we set up Carlotta by my bar, posing with a fedora and one of my ties, to capture some whimsical nudes.

I fell in love with Carlotta's pose and expression, but I did not like the tie in this particular image.  Also, I didn't want a drawing of her next to a bar stool with that hat, as it just didn't fit the scene.  The hat reminded me of Indiana Jones' fedora, and it gave me the idea of what to do with the hand that was leaning on the chair.  The photo reference eventually turned into the art to the right.

To complete the drawing, I found some reference photos online of whips, and used my own hand to approximate the one holding the whip.  Then, the fun part--getting this drawing to look like the beautiful Carlotta!

I recently ordered some 13" x 19" photo prints of this piece, and they came out really well!  I still have the original drawing, too, and take to any shows where I happen to exhibit.

I enjoy posting these examples, and your feedback is always welcome, so feel free to drop me a line at vince@erotic-pinups.com, or on my Facebook Fan Page.

On Nude Art and Prints

A short time ago, we posed this question on the Facebook Fan page: Will You Hang Nudes In your Home?  We had several people write back that yes, they would do so, which is encouraging news, to be sure.  All artists like to be recognized, and there seems to be a bigger hurdle for nude figure artists like me to jump over because of the subject matter.


My good friend Unbearable Lightness has been touching on the subject of fine art nudes in her blogs recently,  about the connections between fashion photography and fine art, and the eroticism therein.  So much art today is deemed not acceptable to be displayed, yet we see constant images in the media of an overtly sexual nature.  Why the double standard?

This image of Alicia Burley hangs in our home

My wife has several of my pieces hanging in our home, one of which is a nude.  So far, there have been no issues.....our 12 year old nieces are wonderfully bemused by "Uncle Vince's" art, and our seven year old nephew is too young to notice.  And our assorted friends have not menitoned being uncomfortable at all.


Besides, we must understand that fine art nudes are just that---fine art.  Just because an image depicts a woman in the nude does NOT make that image sexual in nature (do you hear that, Facebook?).


So, it was nice to hear back from some people on my discussion thread that, yes, they would hang nudes, as long as they are tasteful.  


Let me hear from you---would YOU hang nude art in your home?  What kind of art would you hang?  This is intended to be a discussion opener, as so many people would like to, but may not be able to do so because of circumstances.  Please comment below.

On Women and Curves

I suppose it's no secret that, as a pin-up artist, I love women's curves. It's probably a prerequisite for the job.  The curves of a woman's body are one of God's greatest creations, if not the greatest.


The female form has been celebrated in art since man first began painting on cave walls.  Women are the child bearers, the nurturers, the gender that really keeps everything together.  A woman's physiology is beautiful, in part, because of the way it was designed.  Men are attracted to a woman's soft, flowing, sensual curves (which is scientifically proven, by the way).  


The circle is the perfect shape in nature.  A woman's shape is based in large part on a circle, unlike males, which are angular.  They are the ultimate subject of any artist or photographer, in my view, because of their unique beauty.  Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo & Botticelli, pinup artists like Elvgren & Vargas  were on to something in their work.  Nowadays, one can look at the art of TC Cor, Dave Nestler & Olivia, or the photos of Carrie Leigh, and see how beautiful they depict the female form ---erotic, sensual, powerful....


The ultimate subject.






Fineartamerica.com has set up a Discount code for its members to offer our clients.  Save 25% off the cost of a print.  Check it out on my page there  

On Facebook & Censorship, Part 2

My friend and fellow artist, Joel Adams, blogs today on how his profile was deleted from Facebook, after  he posted the cover of the newest edition of Carrie Leigh's NUDE magazine, due on newsstands shortly.  Joel explains his difficulties and position very well in his blog, so I won't repeat it here.


However, when you read Joel's issues with Facebook, it goes back to the same issue I had--the ambiguous "Terms of Service."  They plop all of the violations into one blanket statement, including "drug use, violence, and nudity."  Now, with the number of people under the age 18 on Facebook, I feel that we ALL must be responsible with the content on our pages, and I have edited my nude artwork accordingly.


But Facebook doesn't define nudity.....is it nipples?  pubic area?  implied nudity?  We have very clear rules on modeling industry websites such as Model Mayhem on what images can be displayed in the public areas, like avatars.  But clear rules don't seem to exist on Facebook.  Joel's page is private, so he can't get random visitors to his profile, either.  And, as he points out, no live person responded to him to explain why this image violated the terms of service.  


The cover that Joel uploaded is a great photo of a beautiful girl, photographed by Carrie Leigh, one of the most prominent fine art nude photographers in the world.   I emphasized fine art for a reason.....it is NOT porn, it is not eroticism---it is a celebration of the beauty of the female figure.  Not unlike Da Vinci, Michelangelo, even Vargas and Elvgren.  And there is no explicit nudity in the photo.  This magazine is sold openly in bookstores like Borders, where young kids easily have access (it's usually stacked in the "fine art/photography section at my Borders).


I have no issue with blocking inappropriate material on Facebook......we need to protect young people from adult images and content.  But please, give us the guidelines as to what can and cannot be posted, Facebook.  And apply them equally.

On Holiday Specials

So, after I wrote my last post, I decided that I would, in fact, offer up a promotion on custom prints for the holidays.  The two most popular sizes, 11" x 14? and 19" x 24", are now $50 off ($250 and $350, respectively).  


Even though it gets busy during the holidays around our house, I do enjoy creating art for people, since I think it is a truly special gift.


Let's hope I spend the month of December on my drawing board! 


And many thanks to Dr Unbearable Lightness for her great support! 

On Holiday Prints & Commissions

Every holiday season for the past couple of years, I have offered a reduction on my commission rates (or, for lack of a better word, a "sale").  That has made Christmas at the Wolff house a little busier than usual, and I have to thank my wife for allowing me the time to complete these sometimes numerous and massive projects.


While I love working for clients, commissions can be a double-edged sword.  Will the client be satisfied with my final work?  Can I make my deadlines?  I always try to keep my clients as happy as I can, but it can take lot of emails, phone conversations to make the best art possible.  There are different challenges that arise with commissions than those associated with my 'fun' work.  

Example of a client commission

So I am struggling with offering a discount this year for the holidays.  I did order prints of 3 of my favorite pieces, which will be inexpensively priced.  But I realize that many people consider an erotic pin-up a wonderful gift to give. 


Your thoughts are appreciated!

On Beautiful Women and Modeling

It's no secret that I love women; as an artist , they are the single most beautiful subject that God created.  I enjoy meeting these lovely ladies, particularly the ones that I have had the pleasure to illustrate.  To most of us , they are just images, but when you finally meet, you realize that they are real people, like you...they just happen to look better than most!


I recently hosted an industry get together, and was very pleased that it was attended by Rachel Jay, Christie Gabriel & Jennifer Bollinger (That is Jennifer seen in the accompanying art), along with entrepreneur Alfred E Shirtman.  It was a truly wonderful evening -- a lot of industry talk, gossip, laughs, and a dissection of scenes from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off").  

The truly cool thing for me is to see these ladies in a relaxed setting, away from cameras, lights, etc, just being themselves.  Often people ask what celebrities are 'really like.' Models and photographers are my celebrities, and I can tell you, they are really like...you and me.  


I can't tell anyone enough how much I enjoy meeting people in our industry, and learning about them, how they approach their jobs.  This even I hosted is a semi-regular event, and I look forward to the next one with great anticipation.

A Good Cause

One of my model acquaintances on ModelMayhem.com, Suzan Golden, recently wrote about her young daughter's plight; she has been diagnosed as a High Functioning Autistic and is suffering from Epileptic Seizures, which came about quite suddenly (Click here to read her very moving story).  

The lives of Suzan's family have literally been turned upside down--they've lost their home and their business, and moved to Florida to seek treatment for Lindsey. It's a very desperate situation, especially as Suzan cannot model right now.

We've tried to help out the Golden's by offering the net proceeds to all print sales at FineArtAmerica.com for a week, which ended last Friday. We had a sale, and an offer to donate a custom commission the the family.   However, people can still help Suzan by contributing something to the family---even via PayPal.

With the economic downturn, people are really hurting.....but  a story like this tends to put things in perspective.

I'm Published!

I'm very happy to announce that the September issue of Flip online magazine, featuring an interview with me, is now available.  It also includes 3 of my favorite drawings, as well as the photo references from which they were created. 

Please click on the link to see it.  Thanks.

http://www.flipmagazine.net/flipxysept2010.html

Flip Online Magazine

I'm very pleased to announce that 3 of my favorite nude art pieces will be featured in the next edition of Flip online magazine. It goes live on the afternoon of Sept 18.

http://www.flipmagazine.net/

Along with the art, it will display the original photo references  and an interview with me. 

I'm pretty excited about this Please take a look at it ......tomorrow afternoon!

From Photo to Art--Heather Bauer

A popular feature of my late newsletter was the "From Photo to Art" series, where I showed how I created my art from the original reference photograph.  We have featured Carlotta Champagne, Jennifer Bollinger and former Playmate Lindsey Vuolo.  Today's subject is Heather Bauer.

Heather is a Playboy Special Editions model and Cyber Girl of the Week.  She e-mailed me about doing an illustration of her a couple of years ago, and we discussed it over the phone afterward (what a sweet Southern accent!).   She sent me a photo reference taken by an anonymous photographer, different from her Playboy style shoots, which are very glamour nude in style.  Her photographer did a wonderful job of lighting her great figure in such a way as to emphasize her curves.











I drew Heather's portrait on 20" x 30" illustration board, and followed the original very closely.  it was important to capture her remarkable beauty, as well as the wonderful and sensuous post that she struck.  Heather has great presence in front of the lens; she really connects well with the audience.

 This image will appear shortly in an online magazine called Flip, and we are hoping that it will be published in a major art nude title this winter ----more on that in future blogs.  In the meantime, your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Facebook & Censorship

Seems that online censorship reared its ugly face again.  Many of you may know that I rebuilt my Facebook Fan Page about a month ago, because FB doesn't allow you to reclassify your fan pages (I had inadvertently placed mine in the "Local Business" category, rather than "Visual Artist."   I also placed a Facebook ad at the same time to promote the new fan page, using the attached image and asked people to join the Female Figure Art of Vincent Wolff.

Playboy 2004 CGOY Alicia Burley

This ad ran for several weeks, to a target audience 24 years and older that liked Elvgren, Vargas, & Playboy---I occasionally switched from Male & Female to Female only, but the other parameters were unchanged.  On Tuesday, I decided to add males again, and the ad went through a  review, as FB always does.  Wednesday morning, I got an e-mail the the ad was "disapproved," due to restrictions that had nothing to do with my ad.

So, I created a new ad, same image, same copy, same interests as before, except added "Nude Girls," and resubmitted.  Again, the ad was rejected, some of the reasons being (but not limited to) that the image is 'irrelevant or inappropriate'.

Now, Facebook is a large social network, and many people of various age groups and backgrounds are members.  You can't please everyone.  I just find it disingenuous that they originally approved the ad (more than once), but now find it distasteful.  While I have mostly samples of my nude art on FB, all of the 'parts' in question have been blocked out with white boxes so as to to offend people.  Besides, if you saw my ad for the Fan Page, you were pretty much interested in seeing this type of art.


I'm not going to rail against Facebook; it is their site, their rules, and frankly, this saves me some money by not running the ad.  I only wish to know why the ad was approved several times before, then suddenly it no longer conforms.

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On another topic, there is a great site called the PinupDirectory; it is a collection of some of the greatest pin-up artists, models and more.  I'd love to be a part of it, and if you would like to see me there, please ask them to add www.erotic-pinups.com to their site.  The 'suggestion box' is located at http://www.pinupdirectory.com/suggest-a-link/ .

Thanks all.

Would You Pose Nude?

One of the topics on my Facebook Fan Page recently has been for the Ladies: Will you Pose Nude for your Spouse or Significant Other?   It generated a lot of discussion the past couple of weeks, with almost all who contributed stating they they would.

Many of my recent clients have been either husbands or wives, regular people, who have expressed a desire to have an erotic portrait in their homes.  It's actually kind of nice to see couples who still get a charge out each other--who wouldn't like to see his lady as a pin-up or Playmate?  This is a fun part of my job, I really enjoy illustrating everyday women, who normally don't pose or do very little.  Check out the Discussion in the Fan Page when you can.

The subject of today's image, Playboy model Carlotta Champagne, has a new, revamped website. www.carlotta-champagne.com lots of new content, pics, and more.Carlotta is a fantastic model & muse, and a wonderful lady.  NSFW, but you will enjoy her new paid site.  Take the tour.  

Vincent Wolff
www.erotic-pinups.com

Welcome to My First Posting

I'm very glad to start blogging about my art here at blogspot, and welcome you all, especially those of you who followed my through my newsletters via Constant Contact.  While my association is ending with CC, it will not with you.

As I mentioned in my last newsletter,  a reader complained directly to Constant Contact that my work was "offensive," and while investigating the complaint, they determined that I violated their "Terms of Service"  by posting nude images in my emails.  I was told to remove several images of my art and their photo references.  Since I can't market my nude artwork through a service that won't allow them, I decided to cancel my Constant Account when my billing cycle ended this week-end.

My good friend, photographer Rob Domaschuk, suggested a blog, and I happened upon this space while looking at another blog of model Unbearable Lightness.  At least, I can post 'adult' content here!  :)  And, this is a good way to remain connected with those of you who have subscribed to the newsletters for the past 2 years.

Please feel free to leave comments and thoughts, I'd love to hear them.