Knockout 1930...an inside look Part 1 Preparation

 

( Knockout 1930   23" X 29" pen and ink, partially finished on the drawing board)

In an attempt to be original I came up with 'an inside look'. I already had used 'anatomy of'' to describe how Circus 1930 came into being. In this latest pen and ink illustration, I'll take you on a similar journey with a few more insights into how I plan an illustration (an inside look) to make your read more interesting. 

 The initial idea was taking shape years ago based on quick sketches done while watching boxing matches on television. I have several ideas in mind. Over time one will surface. Something said, done, timing felt right, seen an image...some intangible will set the project in motion. Having laid down my base of quick sketches, I'm ready to start.

 Quick sketch pages from TV (below).

(Above, bottom pose, boxer on left used in illustration.)

 Research begins with watching 1930-40 movies on Turner Classic Movies (TCM), consulting the internet and book and magazines from that era.

 Black and white movies give insights on how scenes were planned out using light and shadows to highlight characters, backgrounds, clothing and anything that the director thought important or in some cases, unimportant. Keeping in mind this is not a black and white movie but black ink on white paper.

 The internet unearthed items still used today but designed differently (microphone) the ring/rope/ mattress and pole set up.

 Book and magazine photos gave me insights on how a photographers flash would cast an image on paper and how best could it be emulated. Clothing styles, body attitudes/language and how the subject was presented influence the illustration.

                                       

These thumbnail sketches are what I refer to as quick sketches with a purpose. I ask myself how would this look?, how would you hold a hand gun and what type would I use? Yes, there is a gun in all the action.

Men's jackets with lapels of all cuts and sizes and how would I depict the folds of fabric?

 I determined early on that hats and caps would be a major part in the storytelling of this piece. Each head covering would be as unique as the individual wearing it.

 More research through thumbnails for cameras and how they were held, boxing shoes, a stool and possible body attitudes, faces, grouping and from what corner of the ring would be the best way to show the announcer?

  All these questions and more are worked out and answered through thumbnails. (below).

 What will be the strongest angle to showcase this illustration? (below) 

The angle of the ring is worked out early  as this will set the stage for the whole presentation. How close to the ring do I want to be? Will this work with seeing  half the people from behind?  Thumbnails will help me determine.

The knockout punch.

 I had wanted to show how people react emotionally to this most violent of sporting events. Boxing is as close to a Roman gladiator, kill or be killed spectacle, as civilized humans can get. Deaths have occurred over the years to these modern day gladiators.

Early  ideas on how to best show the victim of the knockout punch.

 These thumbnails (below) gave me insight as to how this story was to be told.

I wanted to show on the faces and body language of the attendees what had just, in that moment, transpired in the ring.

 I wanted the knockout victim to be unconscious before he lands on the canvas. 

These thumbnails  (below) found that moment for me.

                                       

 This is the image I would build the illustration around (below). This photo of the Ali-Frazier fight (right) was the pose I wanted for the boxer on the left. Not to just copy the pose but to make adjustments for a better silhouette.  A stronger silhouette was achieved by separating the right arm and straightening it out showing the trajectory of the punch. Lifting the left arm away from the body, again for a better silhouette . Adjusting the left foot and leg forward, again seeking a stronger silhouette.

Once  the ring size and angle were determined, I fleshed out the key figures on tracing paper (below).

                                             

To be continued...

                                 

Steamboat has legs!

 

(Interior page from Steamboat School)

Anything that continues to garner interest, it is said to 'have legs'.

Steamboat School is in that category of having legs. I first blogged about the book on it's publication and release on June 6, 2016. Since then in this blog I have updated awards and recognition it has received on eight more occasions ( Aug. 29, 2016; Oct. 17, 2016; Dec. 14, 2016; Dec. 16, 2016; Jan. 25, 2017; Feb. 2, 2017; Oct. 20, 2017; Oct. 31, 2017).

This is the latest installment of Steamboat's legs.

  Mar. 3, 2022 I was informed Steamboat School had been chosen to be included on the grades 3-4 Great Texas Mosquito List 2021-22 school year by the Brazosport Independent School District. Being on the list makes Steamboat School a contender for the Great Texas Mosquito List Student Choice Award to be announced in April of this year.

Also in regards to Steamboat School.

 PBS in collaboration with Ozarks public television made a documentary Missouri! A Bicentennial Celebration 1821-2021 presented by Missouri State University.

In the hour and 54 minute presentation, a section of the documentary discusses education in Missouri prior to the civil war as it pertained to Black Americans. The artwork from the pages of Steamboat School give visuals to the words explaining the circumstances of John Berry Meachum educating African-American children from a floating school house in the Mississippi River after a law was passed forbidding African American education in Missouri.

Though this story is well known in Missouri, only one picture of John Berry Meachum exists (below).   

(John Berry Meachum)

(The documentary can be viewed on line by typing in> Missouri! A Bicentennial Celebration 1821-2021)

Until next time...

Where were you? part 2

 Continuing along my artistic journey, looking through my quick sketch pages and answering the question "where was I" on a particular date in time and in no chronological order...

11/19/2015...

I was at a screening of 'Tyrus', a documentary about Tyrus Wong . A Chinese American artist who had a prolific career as a painter, animator, calligrapher, muralist, ceramicist, lithographer, kite maker, set designer and storyboard artist. He was the inspiration for the visual style (painted backgrounds and look) of the Walt Disney classic animated film Bambi. 

Born in 1910, he was 105 years old at the time the sketch was made. He died December 30, 2016.

7/30/2016...

 The buzzing of chainsaws coursed through my windows. Upon investigation I saw tree trimmers saddled to my neighbors trees and with precision they did their jobs. I hurried to the garage, got a folding chair and positioned myself in  my driveway for a better view to capture their movements among the tree limbs. Here are the results.

7/16-17/2016...

  A two day outdoor jazz and blues festival at Frank G. Bonelli Reginal Park also known as Puddingstone Lake or just plain Puddingstone, located in San Dimas, CA.. Within walking distance from my home.

I arrived early to get a location in the shade of the trees.

  Many had gotten there earlier than me, already set up and waiting for the show to start. Others  were a steady movement of bodies, spread out across the rolling grass looking to drop anchor in a prime viewing/listening location.

 I plopped down in the shade overlooking the main stage and shortly realized the shadow cast by the leaves above was slowly disappearing as the day wore on.

As the sketches tell the story of my view, I was able to see the performers and those unknowingly performing for my pen.

                                                                                                                     

 This gentleman was selling umbrellas in anticipation of the shift in the tree shade pattern as the sun moved across the July sky.

 The crowd continued to arrive and set up as the all day and into the night jazz and blues concert began.

 Bonelli Park covers a lot of territory and a number of musicians were set up on stages out of hearing range of the main stage. There was no drop off in talent or entertainment level, just location. To stretch my legs I took a walk to discover some of this non-headliner talent.

 This musician (below) played an instrument I had never seen before...violin like but much more round and compact. The sounds that he made had the crowd, who like me had wandered to the back side of the park, enthusiastically rocking to his rhythm. I wondered why he was not on the main stage. He sounded as good or better than any of the main stage artists and generated over the top crowd reaction.

 

Throughout the day the crowd continued to arrive and body language displayed their enjoyment of the concert..

As time progressed the rolling grass filled in with concert goers responding to the beat of the music.

                                                        

Until next time...