On the easel...

GKreindler · #1 07-30-2018, 10:21 PM

Hey all,

Hope this message finds everyone doing well and stoked for Cleveland. I'm happy to say that I'll be there for a few days, which is a welcome break from life here in Brooklyn. In other words, I'm very much looking forward to the break. I won't be exhibiting, but am looking forward to seeing some friends, clients and fellow passionate folk.

Anywho, in addition to all of the color studies I've been doing for the Negro Leagues project, I've finished these few in the past month or so:

Doc Powers, 1902, 8" x 14"

Babe Ruth, May 23, 1926, 28" x 44"

Mickey Mantle, March 1951, 22" x 28"

The Powers painting actually was commissioned by his great granddaughter, and I was SUPER stoked to tackle it, especially because it was another Horner portrait (which I can't seem to pull myself away from). For those of you who don't know about Doc's untimely demise, it's worth a read, for sure. His injury happened during the opening game at Shibe Park in 1909, no less. Absolutely crazy.

The fella who commissioned the Ruth painting had been a fan of the image for quite some time, and had been threatening to have me paint it for years. I think the result was really strong too, especially with all of the subtle stuff going on in his jersey and face. Obviously, Ruth is never a dull person to paint, and having him in a sort of state of repose told an interesting story. In the end, the fella received the painting this past weekend, and he seemed pretty darn happy. Considering the other artwork he has in his collection, I take that as a strong compliment.

The Mantle painting was a rough one to get through. Obviously the image is pretty instantly recognizable from the Topps card, but it was important to make sure that it didn't look like that treasure. I've always found that set to be a bit too pastel-like and unrealistic, so I wanted to make sure the artwork was as close to real-life as possible. As a result, I've made a few color studies of the thing over the years, and it was only semi-recently that I "figured it out". The issue is that the photograph was taken with flash. So, you have that Phoenix sun shining down on Mickey, and then a cool flash bulb lighting him from below. That combination created some tough problems to sort out, as everything that as lit from the flash had to be less warm than the stuff being lit from the sun, and the photograph kind of exaggerates how bright those shadow planes get (especially in his face). I had to make sure that although he was being lit from two sources, one of them would win out. In this case, what was lit artificially stayed a bit deeper in value than I might have originally planned it to, making that part of it less obvious. As a result, I think his features (as well as those of the bat and jersey) really pop where they should, and at the same time, sit in the space well enough. This bad-boy is going out to another board member tomorrow, and hopefully he'll love it when it's in hand.

Anywho, enough babbling. Hope y'all enjoy these pieces. And as usual, if you have any questions, comments, problems or whatever, feel free to post or message me. Also, feel free to do the same if you want to meet up this week - I'll be at the IX Center Thursday morning through Sunday morning.

See you in Cleveland!

Graig

mr2686 · #2 08-01-2018, 07:36 AM

All three are great, but the Ruth is a masterpiece...it's beyond words.

jerseygary · #3 08-01-2018, 07:38 AM

The Ruth looks like he's about 2 seconds away from noticing your presence, jumping off the wall and slapping you on the back while saying "Attaboy!, Kid!"

Great work as always!

sayheykid54 · #4 08-01-2018, 07:37 PM

The Ty Cobb portrait painting is absolute PERFECTION! The colors, clarity, and image are stunning

JollyElm · #5 08-01-2018, 07:53 PM

Can somebody say photorealism?? Holy moley!!!

irv · #6 08-01-2018, 10:55 PM

Amazing work, again, Graig!

GKreindler · #7 08-02-2018, 02:16 AM

You guys are the best. Thank you SO much.

Lordstan · #8 08-02-2018, 08:45 AM

Damn. As good as Mickey is, that Ruth is spectacular.

whitehse · #9 08-11-2018, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr2686

All three are great, but the Ruth is a masterpiece...it's beyond words.

I cannot agree more. That Ruth needs to be hanging in an art museum somewhere. The owner is a luck guy/gal!!

Kawika · #10 08-11-2018, 08:11 PM

My favorite thread on N54. Graig is a god.

milkit1 · #11 08-12-2018, 01:48 PM

Great work Graig! Now that you've accomplished the monster task of doing the 27 yanks, when are you going to do the Addie Joss day team photo

and yes, those faces are judging you

IMG_20180812_135016.jpg

GKreindler · #12 08-14-2018, 06:52 PM

Thanks a lot, everybody. Again, I REALLY appreciate the kind words.

Paul, I never thought I'd hear you utter those words...or read that you wrote them.

Kawika, I think you mean 'gourd.'

Sean, I would LOVE to tackle that one. Never has a team looked so bad@$$, and that's even with Cobb wearing the wrong jersey.

Lordstan · #13 08-14-2018, 07:26 PM

So many great paintings. My personal favorites.
Keep up the awesome work.
My Gehrig is of course first, but after that it's Matty, Ken Williams, Jackie, and then Clemente. So many others, but wanted to keep it to 5.
I wish I owned them all.

LEHR · #14 08-14-2018, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GKreindler

Thanks a lot, everybody. Again, I REALLY appreciate the kind words.

Paul, I never thought I'd hear you utter those words...or read that you wrote them.

I know, right? LOL.

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