From Photo to Art--Alicia Burley

One of my all time favorite Playboy style drawings is of Playboy Model Alicia Burley.  Alicia progressed from Cyber Girl of the Week to 2004 Cyber Girl of the Year.  She is a beautiful, curvy woman, who smoldered with such raw sex appeal in each of her photos, without even trying.  This is one of those models that I "had to draw!"

I chose a photo from Alicia's Cyber Girl of the Month photo set, which was an outstanding series of photos.  Alicia has a very curvy, almost voluptuous figure, and and exotic look that I thought would lend well to a portrait.

I chose a 20" x 30" heavy Crescent Illustration board, with a lot of 'tooth' (very grainy).  While this type of board works well on larger pieces, it can be tough to get the exacting detail I strive for in some areas.  On the other hand, it really helps me 'rub' in the shading that I like to do, particularly around a woman's curves.

One challenge was the full front lighting that was used on Alicia---while it was easy to distinguish her body from the background, it really made it difficult to distinguish her hair.  I had to go over the reference pics over and over to make sure I captured it properly, and I'm still not sure if I did.

However, I am very pleased with how her figure came out.  As I said, Alicia smolders with a very erotic pose and gaze, and I wanted that in the drawing.

As for the finished art, my wife liked it so much that she had it matted and framed and it hangs in our rec room.  While I have created other nude  Playboy style drawings, this is the only nude that she has hung.

You can see a larger version of Alicia at my Fine Art America site.  I'd love to hear your comments on this piece.

On Models, TFP's and an Artist's Worth

Usually, when models start out in the industry, they do not charge money.  Rather, they will exchange services with the photographer in an arrangement know as Time For Prints (aka TFP, or Time for CD).   This is a way for them to build up their portfolios, without having to pay the photographer.  Once the model's portfolio is established, she will start charging for her time, and quite often will no longer do TFP, once established as a professional.

I am currently listed on several modeling industry sites, and I occasionally get requests from models to draw them.  Typically, it's something like, oh, I love your work, and I'd love for you to do one of me.  When I ask them if this will be a commission, or what the financial arrangement might be, the reply is very often, oh I just want one, it will look great, etc.   I find it humorous that many models want me to draw a portrait of them for free, when on their modeling site profiles they have this symbol displayed prominently:

Even though I use photos as my reference, it still takes me time, as an artist, to create a piece.   As it takes time for photographers and models to create the fantastic images that they display in their portfolios.  I don't necessarily have an issue with doing TFP artwork, but only under circumstances that I dictate.  Sometimes I want to add a piece to my portfolio, or sometimes I come across a model or image I feel will benefit me.  That's my prerogative, as it is the prerogative of the model to accept or decline TFP.

I have skills, and sometimes I charge for that skill, same as a photographer, or a plumber, or electrician.  What do you think?  I'd love some feedback on this.

On the (Almost) Sudden Loss of .....Me!

"You're having a heart attack, we're calling the cardiac team down now!"

I heard those words two weeks ago today, as I write this blog.  Chilling news--I had gone to the ER that morning, thinking I was suffering from acute asthma or pneumonia.  I felt bad all weekend, and by the time Monday morning came around, I thought that my difficulty breathing was a recurrence of asthma or some lung infection, although I couldn't explain the pain in my right arm.

I had my heart attack while hooked up to the EKG in the ER.  This probably saved my life---my attending internist told me that night I was lucky to be at the hospital, that he's known patients who waited a day or two with my symptoms, and they died.  I had 90% blockage on my heart's lower right quadrant, and 80% on the left side.  I was in the cardio surgery room 10 minutes after my 'event,' where they put in the first stent (the second surgery was performed 2 days later).

I'm now back at work, and feeling VERY lucky to be alive.  What possessed me to go to the emergency room?  I am someone who puts off doctor visits constantly (I postponed 3 check-ups this summer).  I am lucky to be alive, especially considering what happened to my co-worker just a month earlier.

I have some lifestyle changes to make, one is to 'destress' my life.   That means, after a long absence, I need to get back to my drawing board, and just create.  Art can be a great high, and I already have  couple of lovely ladies that I wish to capture.

On the Sudden Death of a Friend

Last week I lost a friend and coworker--Bernie Fansler, the overnight supervisor at the Geneva, Illinois Home Depot store where I work part time, suffered a massive heart attack at home, and finally succumbed last Friday morning.  It's been a very tough time for all of us. Bernie was a true gentleman; he possessed an infectious laugh, was always cheerful, and very accommodating to those of us who worked with him.

Bernie supported his handicapped sister and his seriously ill brother without complaint. Unfortunately, he had no life insurance, leaving the family with no money for a funeral.  Our store is taking up a collection for them, and whatever we raise will be doubly matched by Home Depot's associate charity fund.  I wanted to do something in my position as an artist to help out Bernie's family, so I have  set up a couple of promotions of my artwork.   All the net proceeds of these sales will be donated to our store management for the Fansler family.

One promotion is a special rate on one of my most popular pieces, a drawing of former Playmate Louann Fernald through Fine Art America.  This is an 8" x 10" quality print on stretched canvas, for only $39. My net markup on this is $4, so if you purchase one, you'll be donating four bucks to the Bernie's family.  And if you send it to me, I'll sign the print personally!

I'm also selling some of the prints in my own inventory for Bernie--Carlotta Champagne, Lindsey Vuolo, Farrah Fawcett and others.  Almost all of these are 13" x 19", printed on photo paper, & perfect for framing. They are available on eBay, please see them all.


I realize that things are really tough for people these days, and I understand money is tight.  This is a family that REALLY needs help, and anything that can be contributed by next week will be matched by twice as much.  So besides the personal donation that I am making, I hope that that I can do more for them with my artwork and your kindness. Thank you.

From Photo to Art--Marilyn Monroe

While watching television on Sunday, I noticed that Turner Classic Movies was featuring screen goddess Marilyn Monroe, in some of her best roles, like "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," How To Marry a Millionaire," "Bus Stop," and others.

I wrote a blog about her in June,  in recognition of what would have been Marilyn's 85th birthday.  I included images of the two drawings I've done of her.  However, I have never featured her in a "From Photo to Art" entry, and since that blog was posted, I have updated the jpeg of the original drawing.

This artwork is based on a photo taken by photographer Bert Stern in 1962, from a series now known as "The Last Sitting."  Shot 6 weeks before her untimely death, Mr. Stern shot her over 3 days in LA, capturing a flirty, sexy, playful sex goddess (Bert Stern recreated the Last Sitting with actress Lindsey Lohan for New York Magazine a few years ago).  The results

I was greatly inspired by this photograph, as I believe it one of the sexiest, most erotic I've seen of Marilyn.   Who couldn't gaze upon a beautiful screen icon, laying nude on her bed, with just the sheets to partially cover her, and a 'come-hither' look on her face, which is almost post-coital.

Of my two Marilyn Monroe portraits, this was actually the first image chosen, although it was the second one drawn (they were both gifts for family members).  I opted to create this on a buff colored illustration board, instead of my customary white board, and, along with graphite pencil, I also added some colored pencil in a few places to highlight it.

There are some differences between the original reference photo and my art---I added dark tones behind her head because the back light Mr. Stern wonderfully incorporated into the shot, unfortunately took away some of the definition of Marilyn's hair.  I also changed the sheets to make them more rumpled, as if they were "well-used."  I also showed more of the side of her right breast, as a bit of a glamour tease.

I am hoping to create another Marilyn Monroe illustration in the near future. She is the epitome of the Hollywood sex symbol, and her untimely death only made her legend grow.

To see more of my artwork, please visit Fine Art America.

On A Nude Wife Sale....

I decided to run a sale....

or, perhaps the proper term would be a 'promotion.'  It seems that many of the great folks who find this blog have used the search term 'naked wives,' or a variation of those words.  As there is obviously a lot of interest in the subject, and I somewhat specialize in drawing 'naked wives,' I thought that maybe it is the time to promote some special pricing for Naked Wife drawings.

I am offering 10% off the published commission rates for any Naked Wife (or Almost Naked Wife) art commission until July 10, 2011.  This is a great opportunity to immortalize your better half (or ladies, yourself) as the Pinup Goddess that you are.  And 10% off my already reasonable rates can save you up to $65.

I've included examples of Naked Wives in this blog--one commissioned by the husband, the other by the wife herself.  These projects were fun and very rewarding, and I believe the clients were happy with the outcome.

Contact me at vincewolff2004@yahoo.com if you are interested in learning more about this promotion.  I'll send you prices and terms immediately.

On (Almost) Nude Wives

I recently completed a commission, one that I started in the winter.  The husband who hired me wanted a drawing of a photo of his wife, from a series of boudoir images she had taken while he served in Afghanistan.  He was so taken with the photos, that he wanted to surprise her with artwork based on one of them.  We mutually agreed upon the photo, and I got to work.

My aim with this piece was to make the model look nude, even though she is wearing lingerie in all of the photos.  Implied nudity, as it is called, can be much sexier than nudity in many cases---the mysteriousness of the implication can be quite erotic.  Think of any Playboy Playmate ever shot---they almost always are wearing some small article of clothing, or high heels.  The 'half undressed" look, as opposed to complete nudity of fine art nudes, gives the image a more sexual charge.

As I've said before in my blogs, I really enjoy doing nude portraits of wives.   The husbands are always so proud of their spouses, sometimes gushing about the lady's figures, and I've found that, even if she doesn't have possess "model looks."  Every guy likes to think of his spouse as glamourous in some way, and that's very nice to hear.

On Birthdays...Lots of Them

Today is my birthday, my 51st to be exact.  I'm not looking for well wishes or anything, this post is more of a reflection.

30 years ago, I thought my life would be very different than it has turned out.  Regrets, as Frank Sinatra sang, I have a few (more than a few).  There are so many things that I would have changed "if I knew then what I know now."  But, I recently read a book written for incoming college freshmen, The Naked Roommate, by Harlan Cohen (very much recommended).  One thing I took away from Mr. Cohen is that "10% of things in college are bad, but 90% is awesome.  Problem is, we focus so much on the bad 10%, we forget about the awesome 90%."

This statement can be applied to life as well.  We have been given a lot of challenges in the past year or so, and,  even being an optimist most of the time, I have been down a lot.  But  this bit of advice can be taken to heart---most of life is pretty good, and if you focus on that, then you can get through all the crap.

I'm very luck to have a wife that supports my choice of art--not many spouses are willing to let their husbands draw strange, nude women--not only does my wife stand behind me, she is very instrumental and  always offers unbiased critiques.  I am very lucky!

So, I wish all of you the best for the rest of 2011 and beyond.  May you take what life gives you, and if it's lemons, make the proverbial lemonade.

From Photo to Art--Carlotta Champagne, Part Deux

My most popular blog is about how I transformed a photo of Playboy Special Editions model & Cyber Girl Carlotta Champagne into a drawing, and the changes I made to create it.  I thought I'd show another example from the same photo shoot.

As I wrote in the other blog,  my friend Rob Domaschuk, who is a fine art nude photographer, shot Carlotta in my rec room.  We had her pose by my bar in a variety of nude poses, wearing a tie & a fedora hat.  Being the consummate professional, Carlotta struck a variety of wonderful poses--sexy, whimsical, & erotic--and Rob was able to take some great reference pics.My wife suggested this photo for my next drawing of Carlotta, as she really liked her playful pose and dazzling smile.  Unlike the previous image from this set, I didn't want to deviate from the original photo too much.  Carlotta has an extraordinarily ability as a model to evoke so may different facial expressions, and this one really captures her personality.  I thought Rob's original photo was almost perfect as it was.

I started this drawing at Glamourcon 2007 in Chicago, so that people could see how I work while at the show.  Carlotta and I had our tables set up next to each other, and she graciously offered to sign it for a prospective buyer at no charge.  While she and I were off the show floor getting a bite to eat on the first day, my wife came to tell me that someone was, indeed, interested in discussing the drawing.  The gentleman bought it even before it was completed, and he has it signed and hanging in his home.

I get great inspiration from the beautiful women that I am privileged to draw, and Carlotta is definitely pure inspiration.  She has beautiful facial features, a great smile, and a tremendous, hourglass figure.  I have started a 3rd drawing from this set, and will post it when it is completed.

See more great images of Carlotta here at Fine Art America.

On Chasing Art Commissions

Michelangelo did it, da Vinci did it, even guys like Raphael and Titian did it----they worked on paid commissions.   Now , the circumstances are a bit different today than during the Renaissance era---these artists would operate a studio, and have apprentices help them on art commissions while they learned the business of art (it was a guild back then, a trade).  But they still were contracted to create art, and were paid when they did it.

It was always my intention to become a commercial artist, i.e, an illustrator for hire.  When I attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I was called a 'prostitute' by some friends when I told them just that.  We were expected to live for our art: to take a some time of job (anything), and paint, draw, or sculpt; get our work in a gallery, and provide for ourselves that way.   Not for me.   My dream was to be published in magazines like Playboy, Esquire--anything that featured art as editorial or in advertisements. I always found more value being viewed by the masses.

Fast forward, and I now work as a marketing director at a magazine agency, which hasn't really helped me become published as one might think.  I also work at a major home improvement chain as a certified nursery consultant.  No help there, either.  So, I chase down commissions on the side, which normally consists of men wanting sexy images of their wives or significant others.  Or the wife having me create an illustration of her for the husband.  Either way,  it's an eventual payday, and I'm not complaining.


Commissions are a nice balance to the work I do for me, my own personal "Michael Jordan" art  (Jordan allegedly had a clause in his Chicago Bulls contract that he was allowed to play pick-up basketball games anytime, for "the love of the game").  There are rewards from both kinds of artwork.  Doing commission work like these helps to pay the bills, but when I do a "me" project, it is always of someone that really inspires me.  Unfortunately, they may sit for quite a while until I complete them.

I have been lucky so far this year---I am completing a commission of a lovely wife in the next week or so, have had a couple of serious inquiries on new art, and agreed in principle with a former client to produce a new one of his wife.  I am lucky that people entrust me with this type of art, and I take it seriously.

From Photo To Art --Playmate Liz Stewart

While going through some art to upload on my Fine Art America site, I reshot some old artwork with the digital camera, so I could have larger, clearer photos.  One of them is this drawing of Playboy Playmate Liz Stewart, Miss July 1984.


This was very early on in my career as a pinup artist; in fact, I didn't even categorize myself as such at the time.  I drew this piece in the summer of 1984, during a week long solo vacation (my wife had to work that week).  My days were spent at the drawing board and watching Chicago Cubs baseball (1984 was the year of their first championship since 1945).
I fell in love with Liz Stewart---her exotic beauty and beautiful curves were a source of great inspiration. and this photo really presented me with a challenge



























The illustration board used is a cold press surface, very toothy, which gives it the 'rough' texture that I wanted for the drawing.  Cold press and hot press boards require completely different approaches---hot press is extremely smooth, which will give a very nuanced look to shading, and clear, jet black darks.  Cold press is like canvas, with it's rough surface, it gives the artwork almost a stipple effect.  It can create a lot of dynamic interest, and is my preferred surface on which to work.


Early on in my career, I was mostly concerned mostly with getting the drawing to look like the subject, so that she was recognizable.  A great college course on black & white illustration taught me to really emphasize darks and lots for dynamic contrast.  This drawing is represents some of what I learned in that class.  


Looking at it now, I can see SO many errors I made in this drawing.  Yet I am still happy with it overall.  It's always good to look back on older work, to see your progression as an artist, to compare where you came from to where you are now.

On Full Frontal Nudity

Recent blogs by my friend Unbearable Lightness, as well as threads at Model Mayhem, have touched on the differences between of fine art nudes and glamour nudes.

Playboy Cyber Girl Dana Dicillo

Fine art nude is usually determined to be free of any sexual references whatsoever; the human figure is shown in a complete naturalism, warts and all.  Models normally do not gaze back to the camera or viewer.

Glamour nude, however, tries to elicit a sexual response from the viewer.  The model will often look back to the camera or viewer, usually suggestively, and almost always in full make-up and wearing high heels (heels make the legs look even longer).

These are not hard and fast rules, of course, and there is some blurring of the lines.  And the definition really depends on the viewer.   But, when you show full frontal nudity (genitalia), does that become offensive to more people than hiding the pubic area?  Is it okay to do so when it is 'strictly' a fine art piece, rather than glamour?

The image to the left of Playboy Special Editions model Dan Dicillo is a typical glamour nude, of course; I wouldn't pretend that she is a fine art piece.  But, being that it is a completely full frontal nude, is this something that you, as a viewer, prefer not to look upon, much less display in your home?  If she looked away, would this suddenly transform into a fine art piece?

I ask questions like this because, in my growth as an artist, I wonder sometimes if I create too many 'glamour' nudes, and not enough 'fine art' nudes.  Listen, I love women....I think they are God's greatest creation, and I love to illustrate them.  Do I objectify my models with my art.  More importantly, is it wrong to objectify women in art?  I have my views, but I'd like to hear from others about this.

NOTE:  While I rebuild my website at www.erotic-pinups.com, I've uploaded most of my art on Deviant Art.  Please check it out.  Also, you may sign up for my emails at Fine Art America.  they are less frequent than my posts here, and always of a different subject.  

More Nude Wives for Valentine's Day

Thanks to my wonderful client, I have the the other images for which I was commissioned in 2009 of his wife (the first one was published in Tuesday's blog.  Since I had a really poor scanner at the time, it was great to receive these from him (as I mentioned, he is a photographer).  
I love so much creating glamour images of 'regular' women, who are non-professionals.  I've written several times of the many clients by whom I've been commissioned to draw either themselves (ladies), or their wives (men).  


This commission was a 3 part series of color illustrations; all were drawn with colored pencil on Bristol board, one of my preferred surfaces.  It was a fun challenge to get each to look like the client's spouse, using only the reference photos.    That ultimately is the greatest challenge in any portrait---getting the final art to look like the person, even if it is an idealized version. 


Just another reason why they make such great gifts for Valentine's Day.  It's a wonderful way to be immortalized.


With my website down temporarily, I am trying to upload as many images as I can on other sites where I maintain a profile.  You can see my artwork at the following websites:


DeviantArt
ModelMayhem
Model Insider
One Model Place

On Nudes and Non Models, Part 2

One of my great pleasures, as I said in last week's blog, is that I have the pleasure of illustrating many women who are not professional models, but still look great.  


I recently received this image from a former client. one of 3 colored pencil images I did for him of his wife.  My original scans when the job was completed were crap, and he was nice enough to send me new ones.  He's a part-time photographer, so he found some classic pinup images, and we recreated them with his wife as the subject.   


I have always had a desire to do more color pieces, and I find colored pencil extremely challenging.   I like graphite drawing pencils  because I like to create shadows by rubbing the graphite with my fingers, which helps me to achieve the nuances of the light and dark.  Can't do that with colored pencil--it's a gradual build-up of colors that can be very time consuming, very boring, but always rewarding in the end.  


NOTE:  My figure art website, www.erotic-pinups.com, will be temporarily disabled while I search for a new host and build a new site.  For now, please visit my Model Mayhem profile, or look for me on Facebook.  I will let everyone know when the new site is uploaded.  Thanks

On Nudes and Non Models

I've been very fortunate in my art career to have the privilege to illustrate some very beautiful, professional models.  Carlotta Champagne, Lindsey Vuolo, Erica Campbell, Heather Bauer---the list is pretty long and impressive.


But I have also had the great pleasure to draw some non-professional models as well.  Many clients have submitted images of themselves or their wives, to be drawn in the nude or as glamour/pinup.   These usually are gifts for the loved one, and it seems to fall into basically two categories---men who adore their wives and like to show them off as glamorous and beautiful, and women who want  to give their husbands or loved ones something a little more special.


I've written in this blog before that I think that it takes a really special person, as a non-professional, to pose nude or semi nude in a photo, or as the subject of art.  To the right is commissioned art of Briana,  a 50 year old lady who ordered two drawings of herself for her husband to hang on their bedroom wall.  Besides Briana, I've had the pleasure of illustrating Kim, another 50+ lady, and others.


As my friend Unbearable Lightness proves at the age of 66, women can still be sexy and beautiful over the 'traditional' modeling ages.  And why not?  Women are more beautiful because of how they carry and project themselves.  As a client once told me about his wife, "it's all about confidence."


With Valentine's Day approaching, a lot of people look for something special for their loved one as a gift.  Though unconventional, a 'boudoir' piece of art can be a lasting gift.

On Bears and Packers

The Chicago Bears lose the NFC Championship game to their oldest rivals, the Green Bay Packers, yesterday at Soldier Field.  This football match-up was one of the most anticipated in years.  the Bears & Packers have the longest continuing rivalry in the National Football League, going back to 1921.

The Packers prevailed over the Bears 21-14, and advance to the Super Bowl.  I originally wanted to write about how great it was that these long time rivals got to play each other in the play-offs for only the second time in 90 years, but the big story in Chicago today is the questioning of Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler's 'toughness.'   Cutler was removed from the game early in the second half, after hurting his knee late in the second quarter.  Ultimately, an MRI on Monday revealed a knee strain.  However, because no one was sure which play caused the injury, and the Bears only listed him as questionable (meaning he might return), many thought he gave up on his team in their most important game of the season.  Other NFL players, analysts and fans began to question him in tweets, causing his teammates to rush to his defense.


Cutler is not popular among fans and players; he displays a 'who cares attitude' when dealing with the media.  But in 17 games this season, he has been sacked 57 times, and hit about 130.  He missed one game due to a concussion, and that was because the NFL requires concussed players to pass tests by the medical staff before being cleared.  On Sunday, it was reported by the Chicago newspapers that he lobbied to go back in the game, but was pulled by the Bears medical staff.  Cutler is also a Type 1 diabetic, which means he must take special care of his body to battle his disease.  


To question his toughness is ludicrous--if he were to quit on his team, I believe he would have done so months ago.  I'm sure he was understandably upset that he could not continue, if though he was having a poor game.  But the amount of criticism that Cutler has received- even from players on other teams- is inexcusable.  Football is a violent game, and the types of  injuries players endure are remarkable.  I would think that his brethren would understand that. Apparently, from the comfort of their own homes, they don't.

On Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has always been a favorite holiday of mine.  Even while we are in the midst of winter here in the Chicago area, I always tried to embrace the romance of the day, and do something a bit special for my wife. Believe me, we don't have a lot of money, and I wish I could give her what she deserves.  But sometimes it's just some flowers, or a massage, or little things to help you remember the romance.

Valentine's Day isn't even celebrated in Catholicism anymore as a saint's holiday, and it's romantic heritage seems to have started from Chaucer.  Yet, it is one of the biggest "Hallmark" holidays of the year.  Cards, flowers, candy, dinners, even engagements all are given on Valentine's Day to loved ones.

I have often received commissions for Valentine's Day.  Many husbands like to give their wives custom boudoir or nude artwork of them--we all like to think of our women as glamourous.  And many women commission me to do something like the attached for their men.   It's a great was to feel sexy, and often it doesn't involve nudity.

Currently I am working on such a piece for delivery later in the spring.  And we are talking to a couple of other husbands  regarding commissions of their wives in sexy attire (or no attire) shortly thereafter.

I am running a special for Valentine's Day....8 1/2" x 11" custom black & white drawing for only $125.   It's a nice gift for someone special in your life, and it's a great deal.  But I need to know by Saturday, Jan. 22 to get it to you in time. 

What is the wildest or most memorable photo shoot you've ever had, and what made it so?

What is the wildest or most memorable photo shoot you've ever had, and what made it so?

Answer here

On Chiaroscuro and Nude Art

While looking up art related stuff online yesterday, I came across one of my favorite art terms, something I try to use in my own illustrations.


The word chiaroscuro is defined as the strong contrasts between light and dark.  By exaggerating these contrasts, you can create the illusion of 3 dimensions in a 2 dimensional piece, which makes it more dynamic, and more interesting to the viewer.  


For me, that is often easier said then done.  I struggle sometimes with being too literal in my art, and not taking 'leaps of faith' with the exaggeration of tones in the reference photos.  And, graphite is not always the best medium for getting real black tones; since the darkest you can get in most cases is with the Ebony pencil, and that is still just a dark gray.  


To the left is probably my best example of chiaroscuro--it is an illustration of Playboy's Miss June 1979, Louann Fernald.  Although the reference photo was already a dark black & white, I really had to be conscious of recreating the dark tones, and press down as hard as I could to achieve this final result.  Must have come out okay...Louann bought one last year!


I have new commissions starting this month, and my goal is to really work on these contrasts, and make the ladies 'starring' in them pop!


I'm very interested to learn from other artists how they achieve chiarascuro in their own work.