On the easel...

[timzcardz]

Graig, you are a man of many talents, or at least one extreme talent!
I always look for new postings from you, because they are simply amazing.

So the first Mantle was "lost"? Is it by any chance now part of the Barry Halper collection?

Since you specifically asked about the Collins, I absolutley love it. The only thing that bothers me or seems eerie, is that when I look at it, it appears to me that Collins' left eye is looking directly into my eyes but his right eye seems to be loking over my left shoulder. It could just be me. Or were Collins' eyes actually that way? If so, then you certainly captured it.


And thanks for the Berg. It reminds me that I was reading "The Catcher Was A Spy" while on vacation a few year ago and hadn't finished it when vacation was over. I really need to pick that up again. Somehow that painting seems to capture the essence of what I know about him and his life.

[Lordstan]

Graig,
The Mantle is Spectacular, as is the Strawberry you posted last week. They look just like pictures.
The other three are excellent as well.
I'm not sure what you don't like about the Collins. I think it captures him quite nicely.

BTW, the picture is in the mail tomorrow.

Mark

[jacksons]

Graig - they are all fantastic.

I'd love to know how you determine exact eye, hair color, etc. for these deadballers.

Is this through literary research, or is it maybe assumed by the shade of these attributes in b/w photographs?

Eddie Collins' eyes are haunting. How did you know he had such light colored eyes?

BTW - sorry to hear about the Mantle redo - the second one looks just as good as the first, though, if not better.

[GKreindler]

Thanks for all of your comments, guys - I really appreciate the honest feedback.

timzcardz, it's funny you should mention that...um...just kidding. But really, I'm a bit upset that I never got to do this kind of stuff when Barry was still around and active. It really would have been wonderful to meet him if I ever had the chance.

Also, thanks for the comments on the Collins painting. His eyes seem to be pretty consistent with the photograph, I think. But, it's definitely possible that I could have been a little off. I'm really still debating, so I'll have to give it another look or six.

Mark, you da man. Thank you. And from what Dean tells me, your painting should be going out quite soon.

jacksons, thanks for the kind words again, especially regarding the Mantle. I blame Dean. Let's leave it at that.

Regarding the eye colors, it's all done with research, mostly through books and magazines. Sometimes, though ti can be tough, I have to guess based on the approximate value of the person's iris compared to the retina. Even that can't be exact though.

The feeling with Collins that I was trying to go for was just what you mentioned - having a focal point in his eyes. The light I was trying to achieve was to be reflected from outside of the dugout for the most part. In other words, in the dark dugout, I wanted Collins' head to peer out and seem to glow. And in such a case, it seemed that his blue eyes would appear almost crystalline. You may notice that on a bright day with cloud cover, the pigment in a person's eyes will be really chromatic, sometimes even more so than with direct light from the sun. I guess that was really the effect I was trying for.

Graig

[quinnsryche]

Hi, never posted but always admired. Greg, you are the best and most talented sports artist I have ever seen. That Berg is amazing, like he is actually sitting there, and the Mantle is just as incredible. I really think you captured the intensity of a young baseball hero in the making. The other 2 are nice but the Berg and Mantle really seem to come to life in my opinion. I don't come to this side often but when I do I always search out the posts of your artwork. You are truly a gifted artist. When I win the lottery, you'll be the first to know it!

[HRBAKER]

Graig,

I think that the Collins is fabulous. That along with the Baker are my faves of all of your incredible work, an A's bias not doubt showing through. Because after all how could you pick really?

Keep up the good work.

Jeff

[GKreindler]

Thanks a bunch, Jeff. I certainly never mind an A's bias!

And from one Operation: Mindcrime fan to another, thank you so much for your kind words, Tony. I'm honored that you think so highly of the work, I really am.

I seem to have had a nice reception to the Berg piece, though my agent wasn't a fan of it at all when I dropped it off with him today. I guess it goes to show that you can't please everybody!!

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

Also, thanks for the comments on the Collins painting. His eyes seem to be pretty consistent with the photograph, I think. But, it's definitely possible that I could have been a little off. I'm really still debating, so I'll have to give it another look or six.

I see that I wasn't the onl yone to comment on the eyes, but . . .

there are a lot of variables involved.


Maybe the camera didn't capture them precisely, maybe resizing the image for web posting affected them, maybe they show up differently on differnt monitors, etc., etc.

Obviously what is important is the actual painting in front of you, so you are the best judge, and based on your work, you sure have a good eye for these things.


Once again, GREAT stuff and thanks for sharing them.



P.S. If you mentioned it I missed it, but what size are those four paintings?

[GKreindler]

timzcardz, you may indeed be right, but I should still give it another good look. I definitely don't want Collins to seem cross-eyed or anything. Well, unless he is, of course.

Anywho, the Berg painting is 11"x14", while all of the others are 9"x12".

[GKreindler]

Hey guys,

I forgot to post this recent one, too...



Hope y'all dig it!

Also, if any of you are on twitter and want to follow me, check it out:

http://www.twitter.com/GraigKreindler

Thanks all!

Graig