July Penthouse Pet Holding My Marilyn Art

A couple of years ago, I was communicating with a very beautiful and talented model on Model Mayhem named MKBlondie (Manda Kay), who expressed her love of Marilyn Monroe and my Marilyn artwork.  I sent her prints of both of my Marilyn Monroe illustrations, for which she was very grateful.

A couple of months ago I found out that Manda was named the July Penthouse Pet of the Month!  I was very happy and proud of her, as being named a Penthouse Pet is a big deal.

I asked Manda for some promotional shots, and as luck would have it, she said she was doing a Marilyn-themed shoot.  She happily posed as Marilyn Monroe holding my art, and, of course, her Penthouse centerfold.  Pretty cool.

Since Penthouse publishes double issues, you can still get Manda's pictorial on newsstands right now, or order a subscription through my company.  It's worth seeing, as Manda is very beautiful and sexy. Click through the links to see her and my artwork that she enjoys.

Save 50% on Custom Art

Save 50% on Custom Art

Have you been thinking of getting customer pinup art of yourself or a loved one? We're running a special on our 11" x 14" black & white commissions. Normally a $300 value, you can get yours for only $150!

The above were all drawn on 11" x 14" board

This great offer will only last for a few weeks; you must book your art no later than April 10, 2016. Contact me today at Fine Art America for details.

 

vincent-wolff.fineartamerica.com

What's My Legacy

Having come off of 2014 as the most prolific year of my career in several years, I am excited to build on my successes of the past 12 months.  I have several commissions that may turn into fruition, plus many, many more 'fun' projects in the offing,

But something that has been nagging at me, perhaps because I am getting older, is what legacy will I leave with my art?  I realize that I may not achieve the fame and notoriety of artists like Gil Elvgren and Alberto Vargas, but I really hope that my art can be enjoyed by others long after I'm gone, as well as now.  How does an artist do that?  I frankly don't know.

The Landers Sisters-Audrey & Judy. Reference courtesy of Playboy

I was watching the the feature on Sting during Kennedy Center Honors the other night, and in his intro piece, he said that, after a very prolific songwriting career,  "the songs just stopped coming."  That scared the piss out of me.  What would happen if I suddenly lost my ability to create?  I love what I do, & I love my pinup and nude female subject matter; if my ability to create suddenly left me, I'd be depressed, I'd be lost.  It's scary to even think about it. 

Creative people have a drive to do just that--create.  And our creations are usually very personal, as they are extensions of ourselves.  As I watched Sting as he listened to people giving him tribute through his music, I saw him well up as he rocked and hummed along.  The songs were his offspring, and he was the proud papa as others sang them.  I  looked up at the pieces that hang in our rec room and thought, that is my legacy.  No matter what, these pieces will somehow live beyond me.  I hope you enjoy them.

My Website

Wolff Illustrations: Save 50% on Art Prints

Save 50% on my artwork through the end of December!  Buy any print on my site and save 50% on quality art of Playboy Playmates, models and more. Nude or non-nude, pinups and more. This is a great holiday gift for yourself or a loved one.

Just enter code JEZPRV in the applicable box in the checkout page. Gt to my website to see all of the art. Ends December 31!

Of Models and Men

I recently read a post on Facebook by a beautiful nude model whom I follow there and on Model Mayhem:

"So tired of dudes with their fanboy shit who want to "date,me" or brag they are "dating a model" or have a model "girlfriend". Guess what? I'm an actual person with feelings,with emotions and it amazes me that people expect me to be an emotionless mannequin. Guess what? I cry, I get upset. I get angry because I'm a real person...It also makes me feel like I always have to "be hot" and dressed up..like I have to keep up an image, and that people will be dissapointed [sic] if I don't look "hot"all the time. idk. . I am not my persona. I am not "xxxxx" in real life. You need to like me for who I am as a person, not what I am.. I am not just a smiling trophy you can dust off and take off your shelf when you need to brag to your boys and show off, but then put back and ignored when you don't need to prove your accomplishment. You want to keep a trophy? Then treat her like one all the time..otherwise you don't deserve her. I'm not a damn "rent a gf" lol"

This disturbed me because I have heard similar stories from other models I know.

I realize I'm a lucky guy---I draw and paint beautiful women with very little or no clothing.  I am the envy of many of my friends.  But these ladies are not objects to me; they are my friends, my work associates, my muses, etc.  Like any other work environment, they deserve to be respected for what they do and how they do it, regardless of the amount of clothing they are wearing.

These ladies know full well what they have gotten themselves into; they realize they they will be objectified, that their photos are sued for spank material for many fans.  But there modeling persona is not the real them.  I've written before about how much work a photo shoot is, that even with a nude model, the job site is pretty devoid of any sexual tension.  Models and photographers (or artist, for that matter) are professional, who are doing a job.  It takes a lot of work to create glamour.

Brand New Carlotta Champagne

One of my favorite drawings of my favorite subject Playboy model Carlotta Champagne, is the second one I did of her, and the first of the 3 based on the shots the my friend Rob Domaschuk took of her in my rec room.  Anyone who follows my work has seen this art numerous times, and in fact is my (usual) cover photo on my Facebook Fan Page.  Rob shot a full nude of Carlotta with a hat, and I added the whip since she was leaning against our bar stool, and called the piece "Indiana Carlotta."

Recently, my wife told me that, in her opinion, the portrait would look better if I added some sexy shorts, rather than have her in a full nude pose.  She also said that it would make the art classier.  Initially, I fought doing it, I told her that I didn't want to change anything, but quickly realized that she was right (she always is), and warmed up to the idea. So, since I recently had some time, we took it out of it's matte and frame home, and I set to work.

After downloading some reference shots of Daisy Duke shorts, I proceeded to sketch them in.  After going through a few transformations, including some skin tight versions that didn't work, we finally settled on a looser pair of cut-off jean shorts, which was actually sexier than the skin tight version I originally drew.

Other changes in the art included some work on Carlotta's waist and left shoulder, and darkening some tones to create a more dramatic effect.  I also added some white conte crayon to bring out some highlights.

The above images show the "after" and "before" of the drawing.  While both versions will be available for sale as prints (and the new one as an original), I'm waiting for the new version to be professionally shot.  I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on the changes, please contact me below.

The "Abandoned Commission

 Several years ago, I was contacted on MySpace (remember that name?) by a local lady, who wanted a nude 20" x 30" portrait of herself, based upon a clothed picture she provided. We negotiated the price of several hundred dollars, and I proceeded to get to work.

I have to 'disrobe' women a lot in my work, and this one proved to be fairly easy, since the dress was pretty from fitting.  The rest is just my understanding of female anatomy, and filling in the nude 'blanks,' so to speak.




The due date was before Christmas. I got it done in about 4 weeks, and emailed the client that it was done.  She said she would get back to me to schedule a time to meet and give me the full payment.  And that was the last I heard from her.  I emailed, I messaged, I did everything I could to get a hold of her.  No response.  She literally dropped out of sight, and eventually  abandoned the commission. I mentioned this to a famous Playboy model friend of mine, who said, don't you take deposits?  Well, I started to do so from that point on.

About a year later, I did a search on the so-called client online, and discovered that she was arrested for prostitution in the north suburbs of Chicago.  Interesting side development, I thought.  The piece wound up being sold for a lot less on eBay to a collector.   

What do you think of this piece?  Contact me and let me know your thoughts, or if you have interest in this kind of piece.  Thanks

Get a Free Magazine

Get a FREE subscription to Flip magazine, and see some brand new artwork from me in a future issue!

I am creating a military themed pinup of the beautiful Jax Turyna, shot by the talented Ralph E. Haseltine, which will be published in Flip along with other photos from her sexy military pinup shoot.  Everyone has donated his or her time, and the original art and prints will be available for sale, with the proceeds to benefit a military charity or organization.

FliP is two magazines in one; a Maxim-like magazine for guys and Cosmo-like magazine for women…all wrapped up in one print and online magazine that literally ‘flips’ from the FLiPm side to the FLiPw side. Guys can enjoy their half of the magazine and be able to peek at the women’s side, and vice-versa, all your guilty pleasures in one magazine!

Interested? Then click through to College Subscription Services, and sign up for your FREE subscription to Flip today!

Ride 'Em Cowgirl!

Several years ago, I was commissioned to do some preliminary artwork for the owners of the license of the World Famous Mustang Ranch in Sparks, NV.  Having just purchased the license, the client wanted me to create some art for various pieces of merchandise to be sold under the Mustang Ranch name.  The art was to be sexy, with a cowgirl theme. 

I first had to create a preliminary sample sketch, something sexy and provocative, to see if I had the skills for the project.  (Drawing on left)

 
The art was based on  a beautiful Playmate, Jennifer Allen, who portrayed a Western theme in her pictorial.  I liked how she held the gun, her pose, and her expression.  This is a flipped version of one of her photos. (Photo to left)

After the initial sketch above was approved, the client asked for a full color version, but in a more 1950's style stylized garb and feel (think Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future III.  This was the art that was to be used for the merchandise.

Like with many projects, I don't know what happened to the art.  It was fun to work on, and I think I got a couple of good pieces out of it (a copy of the top sketch hangs in our bar).  Comments are always welcome, please email me.

I can't believe that is has been almost 2 months since I last wrote an email to you!  Between my day job, my night job, family commitments and the weather, this has been one of the craziest Holiday Seasons I have ever had.

I am excited to say that I am about to start a major commission very shortly, and will finish a drawing that has taken nearly 10 years (off and on) to complete. Since I kind of bogged down after we finished the big Marilyn Monroe gift for our son last year, I'm excited to get working again, as there are some 'special' projects that I want to do this year of Playmates and Internet models to enhance the portfolio.  Stay tuned, as I will send updates as I can.

In the meantime, please enjoy this art from 7 years ago of one of the best fine art nude models I've seen, Ann Mitch.  Her supple body could be twisted into so many great poses, she is a truly spectacular lady.

A Playboy Model Tease

I have been working on a drawing of former Playboy Cyber Girl Misty Dawn for a long time--9 years, in fact! This has been an off-and-on project, and up until this year, the largest drawing I ever attempted at 30" by 20." It is a black and white graphite drawing based on several references, but mostly on her Cyber Girl of the Week photos from August 2004, taken by Sam T'ang. Below is a very recent Work In Progress shot of Misty's head.

 
I'm going to try to finish this in the next few weeks, before Holiday Commissions need to be started.  This is the last WIP that I'll post until it's completed.


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MODEL MAYHEM  PROFILE
Did you know I've had a profile at Model Mayhem since 2006? I have met numerous models, photographers, fellow artists, and other industry professionals there, and enjoy the networking capabilities that MM provides. Come take a look at my artwork.

The Hair Down There......

Playboy's Miss June 1984 Liz Stewart

An interesting debate that I've run across on Model Mayhem and other sites is the definitions of fine art nude modeling and glamour nude modeling.  One of the many criteria is the presence of pubic hair on the model; some fine art purists (not all) insist that a fine art model must not complete shave her pubic hair.

Playboy Model Carlotta Champagne

Being a male of a certain age, I grew up admiring and loving pubic hair.  Playboy magazine set the trend for pubic hair fashion, and my favorite Playmates of the late 1970's and the 1980's all sported full bush.

As an artist, I've found that I rarely draw full frontal nudes anymore; however, I am still drawn to those women who prefer to grow some hair in their pubic area.  As noted by the examples  listed here, these are some favorite pieces of art that feature the models with some form of pubic hair.  Is it less than fine art?  Is it pornographic?  Our cultures definitions of beauty have changed immensely in the past generation, from the full hourglass figure personified by Marilyn Monroe to the slim, but full busted and shaved models of today.

Client Commission of "Amber"

However, I've received commissions such as this one of "Amber" who are full shaven (I was directed by her husband,; she wore a bikini in the original reference photo).  She is a very fit woman, and I see absolutely nothing wrong with her lack of pubic hair.  It would have made no difference to me if she did have hair, but what I've discovered over the years that, like breast enhancement, some women look good with pubes and some don't--it all depends on her shape, and a lot of times, how she wears it, which is confidence.

Pubic hair in art has been come and gone, according to this article in Wikipedia.   Perhaps the fact that it hasn't been shown in early Western art is like early animators creating only 4 fingers instead of five--it was just easier. 

What are your thoughts?  Do you like to see art of nude females with or without pubic hair?

Published in Flip Magazine Again!

Veronica Gonzalez

More good news! Yesterday my artwork of the beautiful Veronica Gonzalez was published in the online version of Flip Magazine, a publication dedicated  to pinups and the beautiful women who pose for them. 

This is my third feature in Flip Magazine, I was also included in the July 2011 Issue, as well as a previous issue.  It's a great honor to be included in Flip, as I got to explain the process of creating artwork of beautiful women in a bit more detail in the interview.  And Veronica was gracious enough to explain why she chose to work with me on this project.



This issue also includes  a feature on our good friend, model Jax Turyna.


I invite you to click through to see the new issue of Flip Magazine.  The print version is only $10.99, and I will more than happy to sign copies for free for anyone who purchases it.  Thank you.

My Art is Featured!

Recently, my art was featured on 2 modeling industry sites; in fact, both within the same week.

First, I received a Member Spotlight Feature on Model Insider. a newer site.  This had been in the works since June, and frankly, I thought I was passed over and forgotten, until I received an email from my contact there that I was in fact, featured on the home page, above the fold.

Later that week, I was featured on Model Mayhem on their EDU series of articles of pertinent industry information, featuring my latest art of the beautiful Veronika Leo, using my ubiquitous "From Photo to Art" features as the basis for the article.

It was a very nice week of unexpected notoriety, and I hope you all enjoy the articles.

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.