SCHOOL MARM
8" x 8"
mixed media on illustration board
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December 2008 Archives
December 1, 2008
December 2, 2008
Seeing Red
With Apologies to Stealer's Wheel....
December 3, 2008
Say What?
EAST/WEST
12" x 8"
acrylic on board
Recently screened "Pollock" with Ed Harris as Jackson Pollock. Very inspiring in the sense that the bio-pic explores what every fine artist must decide: Why I am I doing this and how can I sustain the meaning.
I highly recommend the movie for its lust for creative freedom and the courage it takes to pull it off.
This, of course, is NOT my genre of work, but I must admit it's very entertaining to
dabble.
December 4, 2008
Quiptoons
Book Cover Idea
This is my idea of up-dating a cover illustration for an all-time classic.
December 5, 2008
IDLE THOUGHT.....
If I were to start blogging about bloggers who blog about bloggers who blog about other bloggers....would I create a rip in Time/Space Continuim and cease to exist?
ONCE UPON A TIME
40" x 30"
oil on canvas
Automotive Report 'Toon
I did this for Allen Forkum a few issues back.
December 6, 2008
BATHED IN WHITE
9" x 7"
watercolor on paper
December 7, 2008
Quiptoons
December 8, 2008
SLOW RETURN
24" x 24"
oil on masonite
December 9, 2008
How To Draw President-Elect Obama
Impress your friends!..Bore your enemies! Here's six easy steps to create an Obama caricature:
1. Start with a deflated balloon shape. Chin is pointy.
2. Towards the top, plant two Shrek-like ears. BIG IS GOOD.
Create a quick hairline.
Scrub in a UNI-BROW. Pensive and extra thick.
3. A WIIIIIIIIDE nose. Nostrils should flare as if he smells a photo-op.
4. Emphasize the space between the bottom of the nose the top of his luxuriant Pan-
Asian lips. They have a femine quality because of the distinct, angular shape of
top lip. Bottom is very prominent. Frowning makes him A THINKER.
5. Add smile (frown?) lines. Ravine-like, past the corners of the mouth.
6. Ink and shade accordingly.
THERE YOU HAVE IT. NOW GO GET THAT CARTOONIST JOB AT SHOP-N-SAVE GAZETTE.
December 10, 2008
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich
December 11, 2008
Interactive CD Idea....
SECOND INCINERATOR STARK PLUNGES INTO THE XANKHA UNDERWORLD TO UNRAVEL FAMILY SECRETS...
December 13, 2008
Quiptoons
December 15, 2008
Theater Poster Idea
Had fun taking the famous Portrait of a Man by Raphael and giving it the ol' Photoshop treatment.
Nice Dodgery
December 16, 2008
QUICK HEADS UP...
My friend Steve McAfee over at The Phantom Darkroom is doing some hilarious stuff with Icelandic Christmas tradtions. Go find out what a Sausage Snatcher is.
KIRKWOOD
December 17, 2008
SAY WHAT?
TIMEPIECE
48" x 30"
oil on canvas
I painted this as a companion piece to "Silver Ankh" (posted Ocober 31, '08).
Office Art
A little experiment. I took a small pastel landscape (11" x 6") I found in my sketchbook and photoshopped into a benign office setting. Once the scale is expanded to fit on the wall, the "small" piece has a depth and weight to it that surprised me.
I think taking some of my smaller pieces and blowing them up ten times (or so) might be a fun way to develop a new body of work.
December 18, 2008
Quiptoons
December 19, 2008
PHASE 1....Starting a painting.
I thought it might be interesting to show how I develop a painting. It is 48" x 24".
The first layer establishes rudimentary texture. This is done with acrylic washes.
In the next few days, I'll show the different steps as I go to finish.
WayBack Machine
TAXI
40" x36"
acrylic on canvas
I did this piece twenty-one years ago.. Allen Forkum bought it but I can't remember why. It probably matched his floor or something.
December 20, 2008
PHASE 2....establishing a focal point
I layed the beginning layers and skin tones for the face with thin washes. I like to do this early to establish a focal point as well as add subtle layers to the "weathering" process.
Announcing a New Catergory
For those interested in keeping track of the developmental stages of my new paintings, click on PAINTER AT WORK under the "catergories" side bar. I'll try to shoot and post photos regularly as the finished paintings emerge.
I've just moved to a very functional art space where I'll be producing as much new, BIGGER work as I possibly can.
Watch out...this may get messy.
December 21, 2008
PHASE 3...adding more texture
Adding another layer of "grime" puts the focal area farther back into the "stone" wall. Since I'm shooting for a trompe l'oeil effect, "Build. Destroy. Rebuild." is my theme.
The next phase will be putting new shadows and highlights into the face.
December 22, 2008
A CHRISTMAS CARL
December 23, 2008
SAY WHAT?
Introducing...
PHASE 4...adding preliminary details
Right about here I start jonesing for details I may use later on. I darken certain areas and the facial features get alot of attention. I consider it a dry run for the emotional value I'm shooting for. At this stage I'm getting a sense of how I want to finish. It may sound odd, but this is when the painting TELLS ME where to go next.
December 24, 2008
PHASE 5...adding an element
I wanted to soften the profile with a twined leaf wreath. It adds a neat dreaminess (Puck?) to the face and gives me a chance to introduce a cool (that is, "not warm") complimentary color to such a reddish composition (so far).
I'll be darkening the canvas and adding more texture next go round.
KIRKWOOD
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A JAIL-FREE NIGHT!
December 25, 2008
Be a Fonzie, Not a Potsie....Win an Oscar, Play a Nazi
We seem to be in the midst of a Hollywod blitzkrieg of Nazi movies. Let's count them, shall we?
(now playing)
"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"
"The Reader"
"Valkyrie"
(coming soon)
"Defiance"
"Good"
Without having to debate these movies on moral grounds, it's easy to see Oscar considers downer movies high art. This year's theme? NAZIS, TOO, HAD YEARNING HEARTS. (Let's not quibble about that world-domination thing, though).
December 27, 2008
TRANSFORMING
48" x 24"
oil on canvas
So here's the finished painting. Thanks for putting up with my little experiment. I got a kick out of all the comments.
I'll be trying this again soon.
December 28, 2008
Quiptoons
December 30, 2008
Sketch Book
December 31, 2008
In Passing....
About
John Cox is a painter, cartoonist, and illustrator for hire. For information about purchasing existing work or commissioning new work, contact him by e-mail at john555cox [at] hotmail.com.
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About December 2008
This page contains all entries posted to John Cox Art in December 2008. They are listed from oldest to newest.
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