Here's what's on the easel right now, and 'yes', it's pretty darn weird.

This was a commission from a guy who's friend owns an original authentic Wagner. Why he wanted a painting of his friend's card, I'll never know. He didn't necessarily want me to do my interpretation of the card, but rather a trompe l'oeil of sorts.

In actuality, I'm enjoying the project. It's about halfway through now, and trying to duplicate the moiré pattern of the lithograph should be a challenge. It's an odd size at 5.5"x10", and as usual, please excuse the crummy photography...

Comments and critiques are always welcome!

Graig

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/Wagner-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...er/Wagner2.jpg

I really like that a lot, but no surprise there. Continued success Graig with your phenomenal work.

Always a treat to see what you're up to next, Graig. I always look for updates to this thread. Once again, outstanding work.

Thanks for the compliments, guys!!

:)

Awesome work as usual, Graig. As soon as I hit the lottery I'll be sending you a check for a custom piece. :)

Graig...

Your posts on this thread are so much appreciated. Could you possibly post a photo of the Babe Ruth Painting (taken from the Paul Thompson image) when it is completed?

That one is particularly "breath taking" and I would love to see the finished product, if at all possible. Thanks again!

I'll definitely keep you posted with shots of that Ruth painting, Mark. I'm glad you like it so much!! I can only hope that when it's completed, it will have done Thompson's eye proud.

I'm not exactly sure when I'm going to get around to finishing it, as I do have a lot of other paintings that need to come before it. I do usually jump from painting to painting on every given day, but sometimes I can get really into a particular painting and just see it through, whether it's due sooner or not. I guess ya never know what's going to happen!

Happy holidays everyone!!

I hope everyone's having a wonderful break and spending time with the people they love. I guess I'm spending time with the easel I love, or something. So, here's what's on that bad boy right now.

The first is the famous Conlon shot of Joe Jackson from 1913. In my opinion, there isn't a better image of the man from the early days. The glare in his eyes are by far the focal point - hopefully that will come across when the painting is done.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/JJackson.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../JJackson2.jpg

The second is a panoramic of Honus Wagner from 1909. He's shown hitting a ball into the outfield at the West Side Grounds, home of the Chicago Cubs. What's really interesting to me about this whole painting is that after MUCH researching, I was finally able to discover the color scheme of the old ballpark - who would have thought that one from the turn of the century would be mostly red??

The image is one of Francis Burkes - in my opinion one the greatest and most underrated baseball photographers of all time. I know the gentleman who has the rights to his entire collection of photos, and man, I would kill to get my hands on them!!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/Wagner-2.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../Wagner2-1.jpg

As per usual, please excuse the god-awful photography, and obviously, they each have a looooong way to go. Critiques/comments/questions/rotten tomatoes are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

Graig

I am very proud to say that I know you, Graig.

Your talents are simply immense - this Jackson and the Wagner are some of the finest I've seen on here (though I put your Matty #1 ;).

How'd you like to be on the mound against Jackson and he gives you THAT look? Can you say Intentional Walk?

And you certainly nailed Wagner's big mitts!

Love the "On the Easel" updates!

Awesome stuff, buddy!

This Wagner is my new favorite. The realism is simply unbelievable. Upon close inspection I am truly taken back by the details. The ridges in the wool socks really caught my eye. As did the frayed sleeves on his undershirt.
I cant wait to see the finished product. Thanks for sharing your gift Graig.