tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post811147918928153713..comments2024-03-18T14:05:31.316-04:00Comments on Today's Inspiration: Jon Whitcomb: Famous Artistleifpenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232334860061949895noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-58699780864449037972016-10-02T10:43:47.451-04:002016-10-02T10:43:47.451-04:00You do Whitcomb a disservice, I own one of his non...You do Whitcomb a disservice, I own one of his non-famous male portraits, and it has more mood than simple illustration has.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10165772400139600650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-43274212380781593762015-03-20T02:49:08.398-04:002015-03-20T02:49:08.398-04:00Susan Hayward, then Edythe Marrenger, was a New Yo...Susan Hayward, then Edythe Marrenger, was a New York model in her early days and was known to have posed for Whitcomb, John LaGata, Bradshaw Crandall and others. Susan had that turned up nose and wholesome look that Whitcomb liked. And Phyllis Kirk can be recognised over and over in his work. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-79586645580436716462013-04-16T11:15:29.616-04:002013-04-16T11:15:29.616-04:00I know for sure that Mr. Whitcomb used Phyllis Kir...I know for sure that Mr. Whitcomb used Phyllis Kirk exclusively for at least a year. She was the California girlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-28834857019256282782010-10-25T13:42:12.400-04:002010-10-25T13:42:12.400-04:00I wasn't aware that Fawcett considered Whitcom...I wasn't aware that Fawcett considered Whitcomb a hack. Or aware of any bad blood between them but again, it was so many years ago and a lot of the subtlety of their relationship has<br />been lost to time. Any quotes from<br />RF about Whitcomb being well...not<br />such a good illustrator?rock995https://www.blogger.com/profile/09995426623977650468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-87115746757993563742010-02-06T20:30:58.817-05:002010-02-06T20:30:58.817-05:00Quality art is something made by a person that mak...Quality art is something made by a person that makes you go 'WOW'(or otherwise affects you emotionally) - that's the art part, and that is executed with a level of skill possessed by only a gifted few - that's the quality part.<br />It leaves you feeling better off for having experienced it.Steve sculpts crittershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04391565072197071806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-27164998014688669542008-09-19T10:01:00.000-04:002008-09-19T10:01:00.000-04:00Kirsten;Both Whitcomb and parker used models regul...Kirsten;<BR/><BR/>Both Whitcomb and parker used models regularly. That being said, they both understood that there was a formula for that pretty girl 'look' that clients wanted to see. Whitcomb, especially, had a very formulaic approach to his faces.<BR/><BR/>But if you want to read about some of the models who worked for many of the big illustrators in New York, go to this post about another great 50's artist, Andy Virgil, and no doubt some of the models' names will sound familar to you ( or certainly to your mom):<BR/><BR/>http://todaysinspiration-andyvirgil.blogspot.com/2007/02/part-4-name-droppings.html<BR/><BR/>(the section you're after is about half-way down)leifpenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07232334860061949895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-22710185870527689502008-09-19T09:47:00.000-04:002008-09-19T09:47:00.000-04:00Do you know who the girl is in most of Jon Whitcom...Do you know who the girl is in most of Jon Whitcomb's illustrations (example The Community Silver ones) my mom mailed me an old scrap book she found in an antique store of all these old magazine clippings (circa 1943-1948 mostly) and a friend I discovered that the common link in the pictures seems to be that it is always the same girl. There are several by Jon Whitcomb and Al Parker one by Klett, Michael and several others I can't find a name for also a lucky strike ad. I am wondering if she is actually a model or just a common look that was used for the illustrations? Is the link in this scrapbook the model or is it that the person admired Whitcomb and Parker? I don't know! Help me please!Kirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04372637272785412957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-25410649984442149752008-08-12T18:51:00.000-04:002008-08-12T18:51:00.000-04:00If by 'special interest' you mean, 'does anybody w...If by 'special interest' you mean, 'does anybody want to buy it', I would suggest you contact the Illustration House. Their link is in my sidebar.leifpenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07232334860061949895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-15694106452638079552008-08-12T18:22:00.000-04:002008-08-12T18:22:00.000-04:00I found a Whitcomb original in my garage. Appears ...I found a Whitcomb original in my garage. Appears to be in good shape. How can I determine if anyone has a special interest in his works.Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02631961796821341911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-34925180186026146232007-11-29T12:25:00.000-05:002007-11-29T12:25:00.000-05:00Leif, I am sending this comment using my blackberr...Leif, I am sending this comment using my blackberry in the waiting area of the Atlanta airport because I am traveling on business today and didn't want to wait until I return to weigh in on your great posting. My apologies for any formatting or typo problems.<BR/><BR/>I hadn't thought about it before, but you make an excellent case for Whitcomb and Fawcett as two archetypes with much significance for art in particular and life in general. I would love to see you go even deeper on this. Fawcett was an ardent socialist while Whitcomb was the consummate capitalist. Fawcett was arrogant and did not suffer fools lightly. Whitcomb, as far as I know, was a little vain but otherwise a pretty nice guy. But most importantly, their art reflected two different kinds of success. <BR/><BR/>You probably wouldn't find a better pair to frame up the issues presented by the difference between quality and success, or even the meaning of success.<BR/><BR/>Great posting, as always!David Apatoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11293486149879229016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-57161526330027431302007-11-29T12:23:00.000-05:002007-11-29T12:23:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-69949537355200251422007-11-29T11:37:00.000-05:002007-11-29T11:37:00.000-05:00It's crazy how the idolization of movie stars has ...It's crazy how the idolization of movie stars has changed in some ways and not so much in others.<BR/><BR/>The pedestal doesn't seem nearly as high and the fall from it not nearly as hard.<BR/><BR/>Still, I think a lot of illustrators find it easier to reference people of distinction...it's a lot easier if the reference is well known.<BR/><BR/>Makes you think a bit better of Rockwell, who like John Ford always seemed to cast exceptional characters rather than an idol facade.<BR/><BR/>Good stuff, Leif!<BR/><BR/>=shane=<BR/><BR/>P.S. Sure would like to know what that green square is covering up in that Fatima cigarette ad.Shane Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05706984816021430077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-22175856132324122652007-11-29T11:05:00.000-05:002007-11-29T11:05:00.000-05:00Thanks for your comment, James - and you're absolu...Thanks for your comment, James - and you're absolutely correct - if you read through the article, Whitcomb references Hollywoood when he discusses the nuances of what a pretty girl's mouth should look like, or how an eyebrow is shaped, etc.<BR/><BR/>From what I've heard and read, a lot of the top illustrators worked and socialized with tv and movie actors... so I guess both groups influenced the style and fashion of the time (along with many other factors, of course).leifpenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07232334860061949895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18907156.post-89567171566646110492007-11-29T10:46:00.000-05:002007-11-29T10:46:00.000-05:00You mention Whitcomb's Famous Artist School pages ...You mention Whitcomb's Famous Artist School pages on how to paint a pretty girl, and they'd make an interesting post all to themselves. He gives the textbook on how to turn an eyebrow, shape a lip, and shade a cheekbone. <BR/><BR/>The idealized look of the 50's glamour world was established as much by the illustrators as by the movie stars. This might be a good topic for historians and sociologists, too. It's an interesting comment on the zeitgeist of the 50s that people really wanted a single ideal look to aspire to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com