On the easel...

[sebie43]

Happy Birthday Graig! those paintings are amazing. That Anson is just...wow

[RTK]

Thanks so much for sharing and Happy Birthday. I especially enjoy the Ruth pitching, a scene we don't often see, Hornsby looking into my eyes and Mantle at what appears to be Comiskey. I would love to see a gallery showing someday.

[GKreindler]

Thanks for the well-wishes, everybody!

Lance, is it weird that when you wrote your thought about the "kid" being ridiculous, I got really happy? I still can't believe how much gray hair I have in my beard. Gah!!

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

Thanks for the well-wishes, everybody!

Lance, is it weird that when you wrote your thought about the "kid" being ridiculous, I got really happy? I still can't believe how much gray hair I have in my beard. Gah!!

You can grow a beard??!?!

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

Lance, is it weird that when you wrote your thought about the "kid" being ridiculous, I got really happy? I still can't believe how much gray hair I have in my beard. Gah!!

Chalk it up to your youthful enthusiasm for your craft, which hopefully never fades regardless of how gray your beard grows. Or perhaps just wishful thinking from an aging "kid" who only has a couple of years on you

A bit off-topic, but after reading your comment a while back about your cousin being Scott Snyder, I'm curious if you've ever done anything for DC or any of the other comic companies? I think I would still prefer to see you painting dudes in loose flannel rather than skin-tight spandex, but I'm curious if you've ever taken a breather from batsmen to try your hand at Batman?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

This thread requires bumpage...

Girlfriend and I are in a coffee shop going through Graig's website and this thread. She likes his work as much as me, so I'm halfway 'there'

Our favorite is the one of the Yankees, led by Ruth, walking toward home 'Flawless and Favorable', but this Mantle is right behind it.

[GKreindler]

Hey all,

Thanks so much for all of the love in this thread over the past month or so.

It's been a while since I've posted, as things have been pretty darn busy around here. I've been doing my best to finish up some older stuff that's owed to VERY patient clients (I'm looking at you, Brian and Phil), and am finally starting to see some light. So, I've been pretty lax on getting back to this thread. Over the next few weeks, that should change, as I have a good amount of stuff I'm bringing to the photographers.

For starters, there's this guy:


Roger Maris, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle, July 22, 1961, 26" x 32"

I'd been noodling a lot with this one, as there was a lot more that needed to go into it than I originally thought it would need. When I first started painting, I always used to think that paintings depicting sunlit players were always so much intensive than those depicting overcast ones. I've only recently discovered in the past few years that it's about even - subtlety is everywhere, I suppose.

Either way, I'm glad to be finally getting some of these paintings out of the studio so I can make room...for more paintings. I guess I'm feeling more and more like Sisyphus these days.

Here's a fun example:



There gets to be less and less room for my clothing, which, I guess as I work more and more in the studio, becomes more and more splattered in oil paint. Whoops.

Anywho, I'm done rambling. As per usual, comments/crits/questions are always appreciated.

Thanks!

Graig

[Kawika]

The Second Coming of Fibber McGee

[Forever Young]

Awesome Graig! You see this?? I can't wait until my Kreindlers realize their potential!

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/r...risties-052314

[GKreindler]

Benny, the only way that's happening is if I die pretty soon. Then in 50 years, you might have a shot at a nice appreciation. Definitely not one that high, though.

Either way, should I be worried in Cleveland?

Graig

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

Benny, the only way that's happening is if I die pretty soon. Then in 50 years, you might have a shot at a nice appreciation. Definitely not one that high, though.

Either way, should I be worried in Cleveland?

Graig

Ben's nickname is "The Mangler". Just sayin'...

[GKreindler]

Scott, it's only one of his many.

Graig

[timzcardz]

Graig, Thanks! Now I need to go change my shirt as I just drooled all over myself.

That Maris/Berra/Mantle is B E A Utiful!

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by timzcardz

That Maris/Berra/Mantle is B E A Utiful!

+1

[billyb]

Graig,

Amazing, simply amazing.

Bill

[GKreindler]

Thanks a lot, guys.

Graig

[GKreindler]

Hey all,

Just thought I'd share the latest one to come back from the photographers.


Lou Gehrig & Babe Ruth, 1930, 24" x 31"

This one was a bit tough to handle, as the original photograph or negative was touched up at some point in the developing process before it was scanned and sold to the owners of the thing who I got it from. Whether an untouched version exists out there, I know not, and I've never seen the image anywhere else. My guess is that what I have is all that's available. So, the original value structure ended up being a bit screwy in the end, as both Lou and Babe were masked and dodged to bring more light into the shadows. I think I worked through it alright. Hopefully. Maybe.

As per usual, any comments/crits/questions are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Graig

[Kawika]

You are not human.

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by GKreindler

This one was a bit tough to handle, as the original photograph or negative was touched up at some point in the developing process before it was scanned and sold to the owners of the thing who I got it from. Whether an untouched version exists out there, I know not, and I've never seen the image anywhere else. My guess is that what I have is all that's available. So, the original value structure ended up being a bit screwy in the end, as both Lou and Babe were masked and dodged to bring more light into the shadows. I think I worked through it alright. Hopefully. Maybe.

As per usual, any comments/crits/questions are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Graig

Much of that went over my head, but if any of them Yankees' value structures keep gettin' screwy and dodged, you just smack 'em on the beehind and tell them to get back in line!

Seriously though, that's a right purty picture. Keep up the good work!

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by Kawika

You are not human.

Maybe he's a cyborg!
Wow.


Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[howard38]

Man, I hate to sound corny but Gehrig really pops out of that painting and I feel like I could pick up one of those bats. Ruth is not too shabby either. Outstanding as usual.

[GKreindler]

Thanks a lot, guys.

Kawika, I'm the furriest robot you'll ever meet. Maybe even the shortest.

[Lordstan]

I wish I was the one who commissioned that one. It is spectacular.
Congrats Buddy.
Where is the update on the 27 Yanks?

[GKreindler]

Hey all,

Here are two more I got scans for today:


Christy Mathewson, 1904, 9" x 12"


Richie Allen, 1969, 12" x 9"

The color isn't quite correct yet, as the red on Dick's helmet is about as chromatic as humanly possible. But I think the Matty is pretty much there.

Anywho, I hope y'all enjoy them!

Graig

[Deertick]

You know Graig, If your work ever gets exposure to current and former MLB players, you are going to need to franchise! The line will be so long guys will have to wait until their retirement ceremony to receive their heirloom painting that they commissioned their rookie year.

[iwantitiwinit]

Originally Posted by Deertick

You know Graig, If your work ever gets exposure to current and former MLB players, you are going to need to franchise! The line will be so long guys will have to wait until their retirement ceremony to receive their heirloom painting that they commissioned their rookie year.

Jim I totally agree with that. Some really amazing stuff here, just amazing.

[whodey14]

Went through this entire thread over the last couple days and Graig like I said in your national thread I'm impressed. Absolutely amazing. I assure you if I find a picture I want brought to life I'm sending you a message. I've showed probably 10+ people and everyone loved your work. I'll be sure to tune into updates. Also if the book idea ever comes to fruition I'll happily grab a copy.

-Adam

[billyb]

Graig,
I was checking other painters on line and Stephen Holland is well known and does work for many professional teams and players. Comparing your work to his, I have to be honest, he couldn't carry your paint brush. Your work blows his out of the water...............I mean oil.

[GKreindler]

Thanks so much for all of the kind words, everybody.

Jim, I would love it if some of those older guys dug what I do. It seems these days that it's harder and harder to get it in front of the right people, especially without seeming sketchy and/or creepy. I know some artists who track these players down through their Twitter accounts, and quite frankly, it kinda turns me off to the idea. There's gotta be another way!

Adam, thank you for sharing my work with your friends - much appreciated!

Billy, Holland and I definitely do different kinds of work. I've always really dug his painting style, as it has a certain grit to it that is very appealing. At the same time, I've been able to chat with him a few times on the phone and he's really a wonderful dude. I hope that I can meet him and talk shop someday.

[GoCubsGo32]

Love the Allen! The textures are incredible!

Do you or / have you set up a booth at the MLB All-Star game fan fest? I know it's more cost and expenses, but older and newer players make their way through it all the time.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Craig - Have you ever thought about gifting a painting to a team? I bet the franchise would hang it up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GKreindler]

Hey everyone,

I just got some scans back from the photographers that I thought I would share. They're not completely color-corrected yet, so they might be a little off in some spots, but overall, they're not too bad:


Honus Wagner, 1914, 20" x 16"


Walter Johnson, 1914, 20" x 20"


Richie Ashburn, March, 1956, 9" x 12"


Honus Wagner (color study), 1902, 5" x 7"


Moonlight Graham (color study), 1905, 5" x 7"


Horace Wilson (color study), 1902, 5" x 7"


Kijuro Abe (color study), 1908, 5" x 7"

Some of you might recognize the Walter Johnson portrait, as I had done one last year of the same image. It's actually the exact same painting, but I realized that I had made a mistake with the color of the dugout roof face, and the client who purchased it was kind enough to send it back to let me correct it for him. That was after I sent him a late-night panicked email. Ya know, because I'm insane. So yeah, thanks a lot for that opportunity, Mike!

The studies were a lot of fun, as I was able to paint two fellas (Wilson and Abe) who are pretty unknown to people in the United States, one of whom happens to have an amazing beard. And heck, I've always wanted to paint that darn Wagner image - I'm surprised it took me this long to get to it. The Moonlight Graham was an interesting challenge too, one that I'm not sure as to whether I'll be able to create a full-sized painting of, as I can't locate a scan of that image that's in high enough quality. Even then, the print that I worked from for this wasn't terribly clear or crisp.

Anywho, I hope y'all dig 'em. And certainly, if you have any comments, questions, critiques, or criticisms, please feel free to share them!

Thanks,

Graig

[billyb]

Graig,
They look great.

[Runscott]

The lighting on the Ashburn is fantastic.

[thecatspajamas]

I thought that Johnson looked familiar! Thank you for explaining, and yes, you are insane, but in a good way I'm really digging that beard on Wilson and would love to see a larger version some day. Ashburn keeps getting better every time I scroll down the page, and is sure to take the lead as my favorite of the bunch if I stare at the screen much longer.

[GKreindler]

Thanks so much, guys!

Scott, in person, I think the Ashburn really glows. In a good way, I mean. I think. There's only so much nuance that photographers can capture when shooting that kind of two-dimensional surface. Actually being in the presence of a painting brings out so much stuff that is flattened by photography. I think nothing beats it.

Lance, you know more than most the depths of my insanity. And for that, I'm sorry.

Graig

[Lordstan]

Craig,
Keep being insane. We love you for it.

I do have a question. IS it me or does Wagner's nose look significantly different in the 2 paintings. The one in the blue uniform has a nose that appears more bulbous than the Horner portrait. Is that just an optical illusion for different light and angles or did his nose change over the years?

Some truly spectacular paintings recently buddy. Any update on the 27 Yankees team?

Mark

[GKreindler]

Hey Mark,

I think there might be a different lighting situation that's creating some of the difference. In the case of the one of him facing left, his whole head (and body) is under undiffused daylight, and in the studio portrait, there's more of a controlled environment that might only have a north-facing window or a skylight, so light is going to catch it differently. I think that difference alone might make for some of the discrepancy. Also, he's about 12 years older in that outdoor shot, so perhaps age has something to do with it. Oooorrr, it might be because the studio portrait is just a color study, so I didn't really flesh it out as much as the other portrait.

Perhaps it's a mix of all three? Or, maybe worse, I just screwed it up. I'm not quite sure, to be terribly honest.

Regarding the Yankees team shot, I'll try and take some photos of it tomorrow when the light is better.

Graig

[perezfan]

It's actually a great question/observation about Wagner's nose. I noticed the same, but just refrained from commenting. I have heard numerous times, that the nose continues to grow throughout a person's life span, and never really stops.

Perhaps it happens more with some than with others. So maybe that was indeed a factor, along with the angle, lighting, etc. Either way, great stuff as always, and will throw in my admiration for the Ashburn. That one in particular, is astoundingly lifelike and vivid. Beautiful work!

[thecatspajamas]

He probably took a few baseballs to the mush over the years as well, which ain't gonna help

[GKreindler]

Here's an interesting shot of Wagner from 1903:



His nose seems pretty bulbous, but because of the particular day the photo was taken, it doesn't seem to shine like the one I painted.

And then there's this shot from '36:



Either way, it's quite a schnoz.

And, as promised to Mark, here are some shots of where the '27 team painting is:







It's got a lot of work into it, but still needs a lot too. It just seems like no matter how many hours I work on it per day, it feels like I'm not even making any kind of dent. I've been really bogged down with a lot of other stuff in the past few months, so I haven't been able to work on this big guy too much, but I'm hoping that I can get back to it after Cleveland. I need to get it outta here. Seriously. Along with a few hours.

Man, I'm behind.

Graig

[Lordstan]

Damn.
I am so jealous of Phil.
Even unfinished, that is beautiful.
(pardon me if I drool on anyone)

[HalChaseCollector]

I am new here and just found your work. WOW is all I can say, you are truly gifted. Are any of your paintings for sale? I would sure love to own one!

[GKreindler]

Thanks a lot, Willie Mays Hayes! You've got some great swagger. My stuff is definitely for sale - well, at least the stuff that I have left. You can see some of the available work here:

http://graigkreindler.com/?page_id=2277&gid=2379

Thanks again, and welcome to Net54!

Graig

[yanksfan09]

that 27 Yankees team is amazing.

[the 'stache]

Graig, I can't believe that I've been a member of Net 54 for nearly two years, and I've never seen this discussion topic until today. I will chalk that up to the simple fact that I have not been on this particular forum before. But still, it's hard to believe that I've not caught some reference to it in another discussion before.

Though I haven't looked through all twelve pages yet, I have to say that from what I have seen, I'm pretty much blown away. Baseball has been my greatest passion since I was a little boy, and the way you've captured the golden era of the game is simply exquisite. You are a masterful painter.

[GKreindler]

Hey all,

I know I've said this before, but another time won't hurt. Thank you so much for all of the kind words you fellas have thrown my way about my artwork over the years. It's really meant so much to me to have people who dig what I do and appreciate it on the level that you're all on in terms of your love of the game's history - it just drives me to excel at what I do more than you could possibly imagine.

Anywho, over the past few months, I've been really trying to change the way Dean and I do business. For one thing, we've been doing our best to navigate the murky waters of making and selling reproductions (which continues to be quite the task on every level). I've given him the green light in terms of doing so, but only if they're done right. And by 'done right,' I mean in a way that doesn't at all seem cheesy. He's been trying to get in touch with lots of folks to discuss the different opportunities we may have, so if nothing else, wheels are in motion. They're moving slowly, but again, they're in motion.

The recent hope was that we can start to offer artworks, be they originals or not, at multiple price points. Additionally, we've trying to make my paintings as easy to obtain as possible, be it through redesigning stuff on my website to streamline the process, or just looking for alternate ways of reaching a wider audience. With that in mind, I'm happy to say that for the foreseeable future, I'm going to be offering my color studies for sale on eBay.

I know I posted about them a while back, but for those of you who haven't seen that entry, or might not know what those are, here's that info again. The color studies are part of the preparatory work that I do for most of my larger portrait paintings. They're pretty small at 5" x 7", and are done on linen mounted to board. In essence, they're a way for me to 'draft' out a work before I want to make my jump to starting a final canvas. These studies end up being a bit more painterly and expressionistic than my finished works, but in the faces, that's really where the majority of the real detail work goes.

Here are a few examples:









Now, all of these were sold over the past few months, but I do have a few left (which I listed on eBay last weekend). So, right now, if you're looking for the least expensive option in owning one of my original paintings, these are probably for you. From now on, I'll be placing them on eBay as I finish each one, so if that prospect interests ya, check back often.

My eBay ID is just my name: graigkreindler. And the page to see everything I'm selling: http://www.ebay.com/sch/graigkreindl...p2047675.l2562

If any of you have any questions, feel free to ask away! Otherwise, I'm back to the easel - I got plenty to catch up with (I'm looking at you Brian, Phil and Ben).

Graig

[GKreindler]

Hey all,

It's been a busy couple of months, as I've been trying to move stuff out of the studio that's been sitting around for a bit. Unfortunately, there's still a lot left to go. Well, it's not unfortunate that I have work to do, but it's unfortunate that people have been waiting as long as they have. Le sigh.

Anywho, here's what I've completed recently, including John's raffle painting:


Samuel Winslow, 1885, 16" x 28"


Joe Jackson, 1911, 18" x 22"


Jim Thorpe. April 10, 1913, 20" x 28"


Hank Aaron, 1955-6, 16" x 24"

The Samuel Winslow was a lot of fun. First off, for those of you unfamiliar with him, he was best known as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts. However, Winslow also happened to be the team captain of the Harvard baseball club, and according to his good friend Ernest Thayer, the ORIGINAL inspiration for Casey at the Bat.

The image itself was a lot of fun to work with. Outside of the fact that I was thrilled to work on a painting of the actual inspiration for the great figure, I was also super stoked to have the image be from a studio shot. The biggest challenge for me was in the background of the piece, that landscape, which in this case, was just a background used in a studio setting. I imagined that it was just a fully painted screen of some sort. I wasn't even sure that it would have been in color, as an artist may have just created something like that using a grisaille (monochromatically). But I figured that the quality of that painting (or from what I could tell from the black and white cabinet) didn't seem to match what a grisaille traditionally looks like, so I opted for color. The challenge really laid in reminding myself that it was just a backdrop, and the color of it wouldn't be reflected in Sam himself, as it would normally if he was in the environment. Hopefully it manages to sit back enough in the final. And not for nothing, but Winslow looks like a bad@$$.

With Jackson, the thing that immediately attracted me to the image that the client picked was that shape of the grandstand. It's REALLY awkward, and almost seems like it's chopping Joe's head off. Pictorially, it's a no-no, and I should have nixed it. But there was something in the way some of the other shapes and angles in the image worked with it that I just couldn't get away from. And, something about his head behind clocked off by that shape held a nice metaphor in place, I thought. Granted, I could be completely wrong in all of this, but either way, I LOVED it.

The Thorpe was also a lot of fun, which again had a lot to do with the environment around him. The image came from 1913, and I'm pretty sure it was the first game of the season for the Giants. So, the weather that day was pretty frigid apparently, and though sunny in the morning, by the time the players took the field for BP and the crowd wandered into the ballpark, it had become terribly overcast. I kind of imagined the light being pretty silvery, which can be the case on a cold April day. So that had to reflect not only in the depiction of the stands, but also on Thorpe himself. The purple of his hat and 'NY' were cool touches that had to be adjusted for the occasion.

If anyone has any thoughts, questions, comments or critiques, I'd certainly love to hear them.

Hope ya dig these four!

Graig

[TimCarrollArt]

All are amazing, Graig. And that backdrop? Well done, sir......well done!

Tim

[whitehse]

Are you freaking kidding me?

The four paintings you posted today might be the best collective lot you have ever posted at one time. That Winslow is right up there with your Matty and the Aaron turned out far far greater than I ever expected it to.

I have said it before and will say it again.....you sir, have an incredible talent.