Head studies for a Ben Bernanke toon

I'm working on a new cartoon featuring Ben Bernanke, and since I've never caricatured him before, I thought it might help to do a couple of studies. Here they are. I'll probably post the new cartoon in the morning.

Cheers,

Ed

Sunday drawing class

Another successful drawing class this week. I'm really enjoying getting back into drawing again. This week, I'm working more with the structure of the figure, focusing in on the skeleton underneath. Luckily, the model this week had great bone structure, so seeing where the major forms were was not a big problem. If you look carefully, you should be able to see the primary skeletal forms (skull, torso, hips) in most of these drawings. These first four drawings are quick three minute studies, but I was still trying to establish structural form.

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The second group of drawings were 20 minute poses, and I worked even more detail into these. The skeleton should be really obvious here.

All-in-all this was a great session. I got many more drawings which I didn't post. I tried to pull out the best. I hope we get this model again, she could really hold a pose, and as I said before, her bone and muscle structure made her a joy to draw.

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I've also included another "figure in the round" study, built off of (6) two minute sketches. Here's that one:

As always, you can click on most images for a larger version.

-E

I've gotten a ton of mileage off of the State's idiotic decision to impose a property tax amendment. Here's the latest. Gee, I wonder what comes next? Can you say "taxes...?"

How about "wallet reform" or "cash referendum" or "service fee?"

I don't care what you call it, it still stinks.

The enchantment of the "new"

A new High School is opening up here in NE St. Johns County, and it looks like both students AND teachers are going to be flocking there. Nease High will be the main school to have faculty & students siphoned off, so here's my take on that.

I did a lot of local cartoons this week. I need a nap.

Mmmm...Dooooouuuughnuts...

Break-ins along St. Johns River properties (docks, boathouses, etc.) have become a real problem recently, so I wanted to suggest one solution. Evidently the Sheriff's Dept. is "handling the situation," but can't divulge their strategy. I know what that means. Hey, the Sheriff in St. Johns County already hates me, so what's one more jab?

No rough for this cartoon. I went straight to paper with the ink this time, and I'm pretty happy with the resulting brushwork. I think I can thank Klaus Janson's book again.

Happiness is a warm gun

Bang, bang - shoot, shoot...

From a story this week:

"Planning Director Ed Preston released this week the results of a county-wide recreation study that inventoried area parks and their individual features — water fountains, picnic tables, pavilions and the like — and determined by informal voting what activities Baker County residents would like to see here in the future."

Guess what topped the list? A SHOOTING RANGE!

"Such an endeavor could also encourage companies to relocate in Baker County because a wide range of recreational opportunities would help attract a young, active and healthy workforce."

More stylized female heads

Here's a few more heads, sketched from photos, that I have stylized and colored.

Nothing much new to add about these other than I'm trying to pick interesting positions of the heads like three-quarter views or looking up, down or away. These types of portraits are always more exciting than just a "straight-on" face or a profile.

Woo hoo! Sunday drawing class is back!

I really enjoyed our figure drawing session this morning. We started out again with some short 3 minute gestures. These are fun - great for getting warmed up. Here's the best of that bunch. Notice the line-of-action in the first pose and the controposto. These must be established at the outset for a successful drawing.













We then moved to 20 minute poses. I was pretty happy with these.










I was experimenting with the charcoal pencil in these; trying to mix up the marks and get a variety of values.

I like this second one a lot. The way the model is looking away, and the weight of the figure really give it a solid feel.

I was also able to create a couple more vignettes of poses in the "round." I did one of these a few weeks ago and was happy with the results, so I thought I'd try it again.

Here's (2):

















It's pretty obvious to me now that this blog is becoming more about my artwork, and less about cartooning. As it should be. I hope everyone is enjoying the change in subject. Comments welcome!


Cheers,
Ed

More head studies - more practice

More practice on getting the structure of these stylized female heads the way I want them. I was thinking that the one on the right would make a really nifty "Medusa." The hair seems like it would lend itself to snakes, and the open mouth and dark eyes look kinda menacing. We'll see what comes of that. In the meantime, enjoy.

PS - We've got live figure drawing class again tomorrow after a two week hiatus. I'm looking forward to it, and will post the results on Monday.

Cheers,

Ed

Local cartoon worth a chuckle

Here's one about a local art teacher busted for growing pot in his home. Evidently his students LOVE him so much that they were actually discussing having a bake sale or something to raise bail money. LOL

My favorite part of the cartoon is the little diagram showing how to roll a big 'ol spliff.

I haven't uploaded many roughs lately, and this one changed a bit, so I'll post it. I added more kids, some pot plants here and there, changed the name of the class, and put a potter's wheel in the foreground. Here it is:

And, yet another illustration...

Since no one is commenting on these, and I can't seem to find a place to get them published, I'm pretty much doing them for myself now. Oh well, maybe I'll hear something soon. In the meantime, my Photoshop skills are improving (I hope).

Enjoy.

Cheers,

Ed

PS - Click on the image for a larger (and clearer) screeen shot.