Hugh Ferris Drawings

There’s a Flickr set of 341 drawings by Hugh Ferriss, the early 20th century American architect. The drawings come from the collection at the Avery Library of Columbia University.

LINKS
The Metropolis of Tomorrow by Ferriss (Dover Books on Architecture)
Wiki on Hugh Ferriss
Via Arkinetblog
Thanks, Kosmograd

VW Bus

This magnificent old Volkswagen bus was parked in my mechanic’s lot.


I couldn’t resist doing a miniature watercolor portrait of it while I waited around for my car inspection.

My family used to own a VW bus, a slightly newer model. It was terribly underpowered, and gave an earnest whine as it struggled slowly up even the smallest hill. People would pass us, laughing.

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Previously: Mud Puddle
Book about the VW Camper

Deciphering an Artist Statement

We artists tend to paper over the lameness of our work with inflated nonsense. Charlotte Young has done us the favor of deciphering the gobbledegook.
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Via Boingboing.
Previously: Artist Statement Generator

Meissonier Costume Study

Costume study by Ernest Meissonier, (1815-1891)
Previously: More about Meissonier's costumes

Star Wars Bop Bags

For kids who couldn’t decide whether to hug or slug that crazy new character ARTOO-DETOO™, a 1978 Kenner toy catalog offered inflatable Bop Bags. “Bop ‘em! Love ‘em! They come back for more!”

Thanks, Dave, for the catalog!

Engrossing

Engrossing was a form of artistic writing popular during the Golden Age of Ornamental Penmanship, which flourished from the 1870s to about 1920.


Engrossers created decorative lettering used on resolutions, certificates, testimonials, memorials, and manifestos. The example above is by Patrick W. Costello (1866-1935). Costello’s engrossing work was often executed in limited tones of Payne’s gray or umber.


Engrossers such as Costello, Dennis, and Sickels often used decorative block letters that influenced cartoonists and poster designers of the 1960s.


Originals were as large as 22 x 28 inches, often illustrated with flags, portraits, flowers, or other pictorial devices. They reflect a culture that placed a premium on congratulatory or memorializing messages, usually presented publicly to formally recognize an individual achievement.
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More about the lettering of this era at the IAMPETH website
Books:
An Elegant Hand: The Golden Age of American Penmanship and Calligraphy
The Zanerian Manual of Alphabets and Engrossing (Thanks, William!)
Previously on GurneyJourney: Offhand Flourishing

Iain McCaig’s 1990 Visit

On February 23, 1990, a young fantasy artist named Iain McCaig visited my studio, along with my friends Barry Klugerman (center) and James Warhola (seated).

Iain was on his way to California to find work in the movie business. As one of the most able character and creature designers on the planet, he was quickly snapped up by Lucasfilm, where he designed Darth Maul and Padme. Meanwhile, I was just beginning my illustrated book project called Dinotopia. Note the maquette of Treetown on the far left.


Iain pulled out his sketchpad and drew Warhola, Klugerman, and me.


I got out my sketchbook and drew Iain and Klugerman. We became immediate friends, and I’ve been an admirer of him ever since.


So it was a real pleasure to see Iain again at Illustration Master Class.

Links:
Iain McCaig’s book, Shadowline
My book, Imaginative Realism
James Warhola’s book: Uncle Andy’s
Iain's blog, with great face drawing tips
YouTube interview with McCaig
Previous G.J. posts:
Back in NY at a restaurant with Klugerman
Klugerman on illustrated books
Tone paper portrait of Warhola

Speed Painting with Glue

This performer goes before the television cameras with a cool painting stunt.


He uses two hands to paint an image with glue. When doused with white pigment at the end, the image magically appears.

Direct link to YouTube video
Thanks, Best of YouTube

Robot Hand Design

Attention robot designers: check out the speed and agility of this robot hand, with sophisticated guidance by optical and tactile feedback systems.


The geometry of the hand is very different that of our human hands, and yet capable of lightning dexterity.

Direct link to YouTube video
Thanks, Best of YouTube
Robot Builder's Cookbook

Annigoni’s Egg Tempera Recipe

Eggs, oil, wine, and ground cadmium. Yumm! Sounds good enough to eat. Watch how portrait painter Pietro Annigoni (1910-1988)  mixes his egg tempera.


Direct link to YouTube video
Wikipedia on Annigoni
Painting with Annigoni: A Halcyon Decade
Thanks, Keita