From Photo to Art.....Veronica G.

I recently received a commission from a beautiful young model on Model Mayhem, Veronika Leo (Veronica Gonzalez).  She wanted me to draw a sultry pinup of her, based on one of her photos.  We did go through several of them, but when she realized that I could 'create' lingerie out of a bikini, so to speak, and because of her sultry expression, we decided on this photo as a reference :

Veronica asked me to change the photo reference to “..a pin up type of look-_ with lingerie…very sensual”, since this was a special gift for her boyfriend.  And since she already had lingerie pictures in her portfolio, I wanted something a little bit different.  So, after I laid out the drawing from the original reference, I started to sketch in some of the details and mulled over what type of lingerie I could create.

 

The trickiest part of smaller portraits like this (14” x 17”) it to get the drawing to look like the subject, not just the photo reference.  I usually hang about 3 different views of the model around my drawing board, to remind me of what she looks like.  At this point I was trying to get a lot done on Veronica’s face, then move my way down.  I knew she’d be wearing thigh high stockings; I just wasn’t sure about the actual lingerie outfit.

The cut off feet was a point of contention to some; most people didn't like it, but I wanted to get as much in to a  14" x 17" format that I could.  It's isn't easy drawing half a foot, but I used a lot of other reference, which was invaluable in giving me some perspective of the shoe, the stockings.

I played around with the lingerie a few ways, and kind of came up with an outfit organically that I think worked.  Then it was just a lot of shading, detailing, etc., before I finished up.

Veronica was such an inspiration for me to draw; she’s a beautiful young lady, and very expressive in her poses.  Her input was invaluable, and she was very excited about the art when she picked it up.  We hope to work together on something again very soon.

 

On This Election Day, This Is What I Believe....

• I believe that the single greatest civic duty of every American age 18 or older is to vote.  This is a right that the Founding Fathers instituted to give us a voice in our government.

• I believe that this election has given us a candidate who has shamelessly marketed himself with a different version of his ideals and policies to which ever audience is listening. 

• I believe that this election is very, very important, maybe even more so than 4 years ago.  It's a choice between slow, but steady growth, vs. going back to the policies that helped to put us here in the first place.

• I believe that, while possibly well intentioned, the "Tea Party" ideologues don't know their history.  The structure of the US government by the framers of the Constitution was to have many ideas, and out of that, choose the best possible solution for all.  It's called compromise, people, and working across the aisle.

• I believe that when the minority leader of the Senate states that his number one priority is to make the president a one-term president, instead of working for the American people, we need to rethink who we send to office.

• I also believe that, when the Republican governor of New Jersey is criticized by his party for thanking our Democratic president for helping him after the worst storm ever to hit the area, we've lost sight of what's really important.

• I believe that the party of less government needs to reassess its views on abortion, women's health, gay marriage, etc. 

• I believe that the "fiscal cliff" is real, daunting, and ALL of our elected officials better do something about it quickly.

• I believe I may not be better off than I was 4 years ago, but I'm better than I would have been because of this administration, and I'll be worse off if the Republican nominee wins.

• And finally, I believe that, even with our problems and issues, this great experiment born in 1787 of a federal government is still the model for all democracies on the planet.

God Bless America, and be sure to vote today!

Have I Got A Deal For You!

I am offering these 3 original  pieces of artwork, plus a 13" x 19" print,  for only $299

You get

• An original drawing of Playboy model Carlotta Champagne, graphite on Bristol board, 19" x 24," finished in 2012.

• An original drawing of Playboy model Dana Dicillo, graphite on illustration board, 15" x 20," finished in 2006.

• An original drawing of Playboy Playmate  Louann Fernald, graphite on paper, appx 15" x 17, "  finished way back in 1979.

Plus, you get your choice of any print, printed on 13" x 19" photo paper. 

Plus, if you take advantage of this one-time offer by Tuesday, Nov.6, I will throw in another 13" x 19' print, and give you FREE SHIPPING!

This is truly an amazing deal for anyone who is looking to collect my artwork.  Contact me right away for more information.

Good bye, Facebook!

This week, I am saying good bye to my Facebook account, including my figure art fan page. There was no issue with Facebook, no crazy people anonymously reporting my nude artwork. This was strictly a personal decision, to honor a request made by my family to spend less time online and more time dealing with some issues.

I have mixed feelings about letting go of Facebook, yet I have to say that not being constantly tied to a keyboard & computer monitor will somewhat liberating.  Really, where have we come to in society where we can count hundreds of strangers as 'friends,' just because we all log into the same social network?  We used to be able to count our close friends on two hands, we would communicate with them by landline telephone, by writing notes or letters and dropping them into a mailbox, or by walking to their houses and chatting over coffee or tea.  Now, we send emails, or text messages, or pop into our social media accounts.  It all seems so ....impersonal.

I enjoyed reconnecting with old school friends and family on FB, but the time has come for me to reexamine many things in my life, and become more productive with my energy and time.  I have not given up creating artwork of beautiful women; the anchor image was taken just a week ago, and shows me working on the beautiful Playboy model Misty Dawn.   I hope to be finished in about a month (which will be about 8 years to the day when I started it). But my avenue for updating people about my art will be through this blog, my website on Fine Art America, and my occasional email newsletters (you can go to the top of my Fine Art America site, click on 'Subscribe,' and receive my emails).

Many thanks to all of your for following me over the years. God bless you all.

Good-bye, Norma Jean

On August 6, 1962, the lifeless body of Marilyn Monroe was found in her home.  It was assumed that she died of an overdose barbiturates, although no suicide note or glass were found near her.  A Hollywood star's bright light, troubled as it was, was snuffed out.



Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jean Mortenson) has been the source of inspiration for  artists and photographers for more than a half century. She was Playboy Magazine's very first Playmate of the Month.  She played to the camera like no one had in years, and she appealed to both men and women.  The breathy voice, the hourglass figure, she was truly one of a kind, and she inspired quite a few imitators in the years since (Anna Nicole Smith and Madonna to name a couple).  A film starring Michelle Williams was made about her in 2011, 49 yers after her passing.  that is real staying power!


So, here's to you, Marilyn Monroe...like the great song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin says, we never really knew you at all, but we're so glad for the time you did spend with us.