Thanks for this, Leif. What gorgeous studies from life. I gather not many illustrators were working from the model instead of photography by the 50s. It sure works for him here.
Like every great magazine illustration, the scene makes me want to know more about the story.
Carl Peters, a well known east coast landscape painter of the past, laid a pile of sketches on the roof of his car. They were sketches for potential paintings, that he had been doing of different scenes on location, over many months. He forgot and drove off, leaving the drawings on the car roof. He was nearly home before he realized his error and went back to look for them.
He was unable to find a single sketch, and when a friend commented that they were "just sketches"... Peters said "yes, but they are my brains".
It is the thinking that goes into the sketches that can make or break a finished illustration or painting. Smith's sketches show the amazing draftsmanship and creative thinking that went into his final illustrations. That says volumes about the man and his illustration process.
Hi Leif, just got out of the hospital and couldn't wait to get back here to see what new treasures you had dug up. Bill Smith's work is stark and powerful, and his figures so true to life. I'm truly awed by the man's talent.
I hope this blog will enable us, Bill Smith's family, to trade information about my father. There are many gaps in even our recollections and tear-sheets!
Thank you all for the kind and energizing comments!
Thanks for this, Leif. What gorgeous studies from life. I gather not many illustrators were working from the model instead of photography by the 50s. It sure works for him here.
ReplyDeleteLike every great magazine illustration, the scene makes me want to know more about the story.
God, what rock solid drawing! To say nothing of the drama of the piece.
ReplyDeleteCarl Peters, a well known east coast landscape painter of the past, laid a pile of sketches on the roof of his car. They were sketches for potential paintings, that he had been doing of different scenes on location, over many months. He forgot and drove off, leaving the drawings on the car roof. He was nearly home before he realized his error and went back to look for them.
ReplyDeleteHe was unable to find a single sketch, and when a friend commented that they were "just sketches"... Peters said "yes, but they are my brains".
It is the thinking that goes into the sketches that can make or break a finished illustration or painting. Smith's sketches show the amazing draftsmanship and creative thinking that went into his final illustrations. That says volumes about the man and his illustration process.
This is great stuff Leif has posted.
Tom Watson
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWow. I absolutely love the model drawings!!!
ReplyDeleteThey are so full of energy and life. I prefer them over the finished piece.
Thanks for showing them Leif!
Tom Wolfe
Hi Leif, just got out of the hospital and couldn't wait to get back here to see what new treasures you had dug up. Bill Smith's work is stark and
ReplyDeletepowerful, and his figures so true to life. I'm truly awed by the man's talent.
I'm posting comments on every page.
ReplyDeleteI hope this blog will enable us, Bill Smith's family, to trade information about my father. There are many gaps in even our recollections and tear-sheets!
Thank you all for the kind and energizing comments!
google 3146
ReplyDeletegoogle 3147
google 3148
google 3149
google 3150
google 3151
google 983
ReplyDeletegoogle 984
google 985
google 986
google 987
google 1057
ReplyDeletegoogle 1058
google 1059
google 1060
google 1061