In The Studio Today
AUGUST 2019
SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 14. 11:45 AM
FIRST ATTEMPT AT GREGORY HINES
This might need a little work. I'm still painting a few color studies, after which I'll settle on the one which will become the main lot color scheme. I'd like to introduce some red in the artwork, tying in with his red blazer in the stamp. He's worn that yellow vest in several performances, though I could paint it red. Or, I can completely change the colors in the background, making some of the background vertical bars red. We'll see. I'll be leaving Monday morning for a five-day business trip, so you won't hear from me for maybe a week. Upon my return, I'll wrap up the Hines issue, and move on to a GFA issue.
Before I begin the painting process, I determine the light source, which creates the shadows on the subject. With Hines I have chosen light coming from both the left and right sides, creating a darkened center of his face, with light as well hitting the top of his arm. A dark face sounds gloomy, but it's not. It works. Shadows are not dark and lifeless, as they often are full of life and light. Now I believe I'm ready to paint.
FRIDAY. AUGUST 30. 8:30 PM
SETTLING ON THE BACKGROUND
The above sketch suggests the direction I'm going with the Hines background. I'll most likely have a light background, with the vertical bars painted in alternating colors. After playing around with four to five variations of color recipes, I'll choose one for the main lot, and the others will become color studies.
This cover can be bright and energetic, or somber and elegant.
It can go either way. Let's see which way it goes.
FRIDAY. AUGUST 30. 11 AM
PAINTING GREGORY HINES COLOR STUDIES
Today is discovery day. I'll have four to five Hines covers on the easel, making two decisions; which color scheme to go with, and what, if any, will be the background graphics. By background graphics, look at the Beatles-Ed Sullivan background, the graphic shapes.
Just updated IN THE BULL PEN.
Off I go to the easel. Enjoy your day.
THURSDAY. AUGUST 29. 11:30 PM
READY TO PAINT
The design and pre-painting stage is complete, and I'll begin the painting of the Gregory Hines FDC this weekend. I am now painting only 125 covers per issues, for both FDCs and topicals. With both the just-released John Lennon and Maya Angelou issues, they are already on the verge of selling out.
COLLECTING ALERT!!
I'm now making available for collecting the Beatles-Ed Sullivan Color Studies! They're all painted differently than the main lot, and at the main lot price. Go to the Beatles page HERE,
then click on the Beatles Color Studies image.
MONDAY. AUGUST 26. 9:30 PM
ALMOST THERE
HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD?
WE'D ALL LIKE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS AND THOUGHTS.
Clarence says,
Kendal, I received my Maya Angelou a week ago. Your portrait illustration of her is right on point. “It’s Awesome “! I can’t wait for Gregory Hines and Marvin Gaye cachets to come out. I will use them as part of my presentations and exhibits in February during Black History Month.
Kendal says,
Well, thanks Clarence. I'll enhance your exhibit, giving you the Hines shadow pencil study posted below. If not for the exhibit it will certainly compliment your personal collection.
Chance says,
Kendal,There's more to painting a cover than I thought.I din't realize you put this much planning into the covers. Keep painting for us.
Kendal says,
I've wondered what drives me to paint these. Maybe it's in that I know these covers are going into the hands of collectors who are really counting on me giving them a good looking, high quality cover.
Ray says,
Hi, Kendal . . .
The Beatles covers arrived in this afternoon's mail. Thank you so much. Your Beatles artistry for the 2014 Celebrate stamp is, by far, the most awesome Beatles cachet I have ever seen. Keep up the great work.
Kendal says,
Thanks for the great compliment Ray.
Eric says,
I would like the other three Lennon covers. I have the purple one. In addition, what has happened to the Greetings set? I was receiving 5 a month but then it stopped. How can we get it started again?
Kendal says,
You're right Eric. After painting the Gregory Hines and Tiger Woods issue I will produce a GFA issue, and keep producing at least one GFA issue in each of my mailings.
Clarence says,
Kendal, You have captured Gregory Hines, portrait beautifully. The detail in his face is spot on. I remember that picture of him hugging his tap shoes. The details in his expression on his face is a wow for me. I can’t wait to get the finish cachet. Awesome!
Kendal says,
Thanks Clarence. I'm glad I chose this portrait. Almost didn't. My photo reference was not real sharp. I squeaked by.
Jason says,
I just ordered the beatles issues, so I'll take the Beatles stamp sheet and the Beatles unpainted.
Kendal says,
My pleasure. You'll enjoy the Beatles unpainted.
Tracy says,
Please set me aside the yellow version- "You may not control..." Thanks
Kendal says,
That was fast Tracy. Done. Thank you.
Craig says,
Kendal, did you produce any color studies for the Beatles and Lennon issues?
Kendal says,
Yes for the Beatles issue but not for Lennon. The Lennon issue is so colorful already, because I painted a different color scheme for the four different Lennon stamps. I'll talk more about these issues maybe Tuesday night. I might have a few of the Beatles color studies left.
Tonight I'm pretty close to completing the ink rendering for the Gregory Hines issue. I went back and forth on utilizing this portrait, and in the end went with it. I'm pleased with design and look forward to painting it. Next in line is the Tiger Woods Wins The Masters, and then I believe I'll reach for a Greetings From America issue.
FRIDAY. AUGUST 23. 10:45 PM
INKING GREGORY HINES
Having just released three hand-painted issues to collectors, I'm now setting my sights on three new issues- Tiger Woods Winning the Masters, and two FDCs, Marvin Gaye and Gregory Hines, the great tap dancer. I have just
completed the illustration to the right and now am
moving to the portrait. I've settled on a strong
portrait of Gregory passionately embracing his tap
shoes. The face will be a bit smaller than I'm
comfortable with in my designs.
I think it's worth taking a
chance on. You'll see it soon.
TUESDAY. AUGUST 20. 11 PM
6 ANGELOU QUOTES TO CHOOSE FROM...MAYBE
Here's a close-up of the numerous quotes placed throughout the Maya Angelou issue.
If you're a Bevil subscriber, yours is already on its way. If you're a general collector, I have just a few of these remaining. No guarantees though,
as they'll soon begin to be picked over.
As I spoke of last night, here is the Lennon set of four. My issue of 125 covers is comprised of 26 of each of the Lennon stamps, being Scott#s 5312-5315.
As you can see, I've painted each Scott# with it's unique colored background,
and colored glasses. I began with close to 10 sets available for collecting, and am now
down to just a few. If you're a Bevil subscriber, you won't know which color you're receiving until you open your packet. If you'd like to order an extra Lennon, let me know what color you already have, and I'll see if you can get a different color. Tonight I'll be building the web pages, after which I'll make these 3 issues available for collecting.
MONDAY. AUGUST 19. 10:30 PM
3 ISSUES BEING RELEASED
TUESDAY. AUGUST 20. 6 PM
THE LENNON SET-OF-4
Hi cover collectors! Late spring and the first half of summer was predictably busy, and now Janice and I are happy to be getting back in the studio. I've just handed these three issues off to my lovely assistant, and out the corner of my eye I can see her inserting your covers into the Bevil mailing envelopes. I believe many will go out as early as tomorrow, Tuesday. With these two FDCs and one topical event issue now complete, I've directed my attention to Tiger Woods winning the Masters, and 2 FDCs, Gregory Hines and Marvin Gaye. Give me a few days to build the web site pages for these 3 just-released issues, after which Ill be sending out the Bevil E-Card, prompting collectors to log in and collect. So while these are headed to Bevil subscribers, they're not yet available to the general collector.
As I'm hesitant to release topical event issues at this time, wanting to focus on FDCs, this is such a huge event in the sports world I wanted to document it on a Bevil issue. Not to mention some of you reeeeealllly wanted me to take this on. And a great issue it's going to be. I'll be walking you through this issue, step-by-step, from the rough layout, through the inking process, the color studies, and to completion. We'll all enjoy the journey together.
COMPLIMENTARY BEATLES UNPAINTED!
When you collect the Beatles-Ed Sullivan issue, you'll also receive a complimentary unpainted signed cover. (signed by me, not the Beatles) Seriously! All you have to do is EMAIL ME and ask for it. If you recall, I also give complimentary stamp sheets with topical event issues. The Beatles stamp sheets will come later,
as the printer is acting up.
Click on image to enlarge
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