Starting next Thursday, October 7th, I will be participating in a group show at the Pony Club Gallery entitled “Monsterbation”. The gallery is run by local artists, one of whom I contacted and asked if I could join any upcoming group shows.
I’d be down for any kind of theme, but this “Monster Sex” show is right up my alley.
After simmering on it a few days, I began brainstorming. I knew I didn’t want to do a sexy female figure, but I did want to do a sort of pin-up spread. Something for the ladies, perhaps?
As soon as I finished the initial, vague sketch and began to put pencil to paper again, this image suddenly hit me:
OMG! This iconic spread of Burt Reynolds was done for an issue of 1972 Cosmopolitan.
And so
What other great monster could step into Burt’s shoes besides Frankenstein? Oh, a match made in heaven.
(On a side note -
This isn’t the first time Burt has crossed my mind. Here’s an oil painting from a few years ago:
This painting was turned in for a painting class at PNCA, then later given to a friend.)
Anyway, here is the progression of the piece.
The set-up.
Pencil work.
Ink outline.
Ink wash.
Beginning the charcoal stage.
The first layer of charcoal.
For this piece, I used all sorts of charcoal, from the light, more airy vine charcoal, to extra soft charcoal pencils, to a heavy, extremely black charcoal stick.
And, finally:
I had a blast making this. There’s something about combining the soft seriousness of a charcoal portrait with a ludicrous subject that wins me over every time, and I was periodically giggling during the making of this drawing.
The Pony Club is located in the Everett Street Lofts in downtown Portland. Go check out the real thing! Perhaps Frankenburt needs to be part of your daily visual vocabulary?
