Drawing Lessons from the Famous Artists School: Classic Techniques and Expert Tips from the Golden Age of Illustration

163 Pages·2017·38.01 MB·English

by  Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

DRAWING LESSONS
FROM THE
FAMOUS ARTISTS SCHOOL
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CLASSIC TECHNIQUES AND EXPERT TIPS FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF ILLUSTRATION
STEPHANIE HABOUSH PLUNKETT
CHIEF CURATOR, NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM
11 MAGDALEN LIVESEY
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DRAWING LESSONS
FROM THE
FAMOUS ARTISTS SCHOOL
CLASSIC TECHNIQUES AND EXPERT TIPS FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF ILLUSTRATION
STEPHANIE HABOUSH PLUNKETT
CHIEF CURATOR, NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM
MAGDALEN LIVESEY 11
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© 2017 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.
First published in the United States of America in 2017 by
Rockport Publishers, an imprint of
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.
100 Cummings Center
Suite 265-D
Beverly, Massachusetts 01915-6101
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
QuartoKnows.com
Visit our blogs at QuartoKnows.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images in this book have
been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any
infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders and ensure
that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing
information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.
Authors’ Note: The information cited in some of the captions has been adapted from documentation on the Norman Rockwell Museum website:
www.illustrationhistory.com.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN: 978-1-63159-122-8
Digital edition: 978-1-63159-413-7
Softcover edition: 978-1-63159-122-8
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Plunkett, Stephanie Haboush, author. | Livesey, Magdalen, author. |Famous Artists School (Westport, Conn.)
Title: Drawing lessons from the Famous Artists School : classic techniques and expert tips from the golden age of illustration / Stephanie Plunkett,
Chief Curator, Norman Rockwell Museum; Magdalen Livesey, Cortina Learning International.
Description: Beverly : Rockport Publishers, 2017. | Series: Art studio classics
Identifiers: LCCN 2016056735 | ISBN 9781631591228 (paperback)
Subjects: LCSH: Drawing--Technique. | Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge.
| BISAC: ART / Techniques / Drawing. | ART / Techniques / Pencil Drawing. | ART / Techniques / General.
Classification: LCC NC650 .P59 2017 | DDC 741.2--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016056735
Cover Design and Page Layout: Landers Miller Design
Front Cover Art: Al Dorne
Front Flap: Austin Briggs
Back Cover (Left to Right): Jon Whitcomb, Norman Rockwell, Alfred Charles Parker, and Jon Whitcomb
Printed in China
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A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S
© 2017 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.
First published in the United States of America in 2017 by
Rockport Publishers, an imprint of
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.
Dedicated to the art of illustration in all its variety, Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is
100 Cummings Center
Suite 265-D honored to have partnered with Rockport Publishers on Drawing Lessons from the Famous Artists School: Classic
Beverly, Massachusetts 01915-6101 Techniques and Expert Tips from the Golden Age of Illustration. Inspired by the generous donation of thousands of
Telephone: [phone] original artworks and archival materials from the Famous Artists School to the museum’s permanent collection by
Fax: [phone]
Magdalen and Robert Livesey, owners of Cortina Learning International and Famous Artists School, the book honors
QuartoKnows.com
the legacy of twelve legendary illustrators who sought to ensure that others would inherit the traditions, skills, and
Visit our blogs at QuartoKnows.com
professionalism that they practiced and preserved.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images in this book have Sincere thanks to my outstanding writing partner, Magdalen Livesey, for her enthusiasm and dedication
been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any to this project and to my talented colleagues, Barbara Rundback and Venus Van Ness, who have worked tirelessly
infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders and ensure to accession and digitize thousands of studies, final artworks, photographs, course books, and archival records for
that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing
publication and access. Their interest in the material and camaraderie throughout the process have provided much
information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.
inspiration. Appreciation also goes to Andrew Sordoni, who has generously supported the processing of this important
collection of materials and to Joy Aquilino and John Gettings of Rockport Publishers for their guidance and recogni-
Authors’ Note: The information cited in some of the captions has been adapted from documentation on the Norman Rockwell Museum website:
www.illustrationhistory.com. tion of the timeless lessons contained within.
Heartfelt thanks to Director/CEO Laurie Norton Moffatt and Norman Rockwell Museum curatorial team members
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Martin Mahoney, Thomas Mesquita, Joseph Tonetti, Mary Melius, and Jesse Kowalski for their support of this effort
in so many ways and to our dedicated Cortina Learning International champions, George Bollas and Carol Bennett,
ISBN: 978-1-63159-122-8
for their ongoing care for the collections, which has ensured their preservation. We hope that this book will foster the
enjoyment and learning intended by the Famous Artists School illustrators and the many artists and administrators
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
working behind the scenes in mid-century America to bring their lessons to life.
Names: Plunkett, Stephanie Haboush, author. | Livesey, Magdalen, author. |Famous Artists School (Westport, Conn.)
Title: Drawing lessons from the Famous Artists School : classic techniques and expert tips from the golden age of illustration / Stephanie Plunkett, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett
Chief Curator, Norman Rockwell Museum; Magdalen Livesey, Cortina Learning International.
Deputy Director/Chief Curator
Description: Beverly : Rockport Publishers, 2017. | Series: Art studio classics
Norman Rockwell Museum
Identifiers: LCCN 2016056735 | ISBN 9781631591228 (paperback)
Subjects: LCSH: Drawing--Technique. | Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge.
| BISAC: ART / Techniques / Drawing. | ART / Techniques / Pencil Drawing. | ART / Techniques / General.
Classification: LCC NC650 .P59 2017 | DDC 741.2--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016056735
Cover Design and Page Layout: Landers Miller Design
Front Cover Art: Al Dorne
Front Flap: Austin Briggs
Back Cover (Left to Right): Jon Whitcomb, Norman Rockwell, Alfred Charles Parker, and Jon Whitcomb
Printed in China
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C O N T E N T S
5 Acknowledgments
6 Welcome
8 The Founding Illustrators of the Famous Artists School
1 Explore the process of creating a visual narrative, from the initial story
concept and progressive stages of editing to a finished work of art.
14 The Big Idea: Developing Pictorial Concepts
THE ART OF
17 Character, Plot, and Setting
19 Mood, Movement, and Emotion
THE STORY
21 Compositional Strategies
2 Learn to create imagery that expresses your personal point of view by
infusing yourself and the world around you into your art.
28 Infusing Yourself into Your Drawings
MAKING IT
31 Drawing Upon the World around You
34 Gathering Inspiration
PERSONAL
36 The Importance of Empathy
3 Creative approaches to drawing that let the mind roam free and help
ideas take shape are explored in this chapter.
42 The Importance of Doodling
DRAWING AS A
50 Sketching for Greater Clarity
53 The Construction of Form
TOOL FOR SEEING
55 Considering the Common Object
4 Compositional advice from the Famous Artists offers important tips on at- FAMOUS ARTISTS BEHIND
tracting and leading the viewer’s eye, establishing a center of interest and
point of view, and creating a strong sense of mood and drama in your art. THE SCENES: MATERIALS
COMPOSING FOR 60 Making Compositional Choices
AND METHODS
67 Establishing a Center of Interest
11 BEST EFFECT
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oo 75 The Role of Rhythm and Movement
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5 Acknowledgments
6 Welcome
8 The Founding Illustrators of the Famous Artists School
Explore the process of creating a visual narrative, from the initial story 5 Position, balance, color, contrast, size and scale, attitude, and the use
concept and progressive stages of editing to a finished work of art. of symbolic elements are explored by the Famous Artists, who were all
gifted designers as well as illustrators.
14 The Big Idea: Developing Pictorial Concepts
17 Character, Plot, and Setting THE WELL- 82 Form Follows Function
19 Mood, Movement, and Emotion 85 The Eloquence of Simplicity
DESIGNED IMAGE
21 Compositional Strategies 87 The Use of Visual Symbols
90 Repetition, Variety, and Novelty
Learn to create imagery that expresses your personal point of view by 6 Portraying the figure in motion and in space, casting and working with
infusing yourself and the world around you into your art. models, and creating photographic reference for your art are themes that
are explored.
28 Infusing Yourself into Your Drawings
31 Drawing Upon the World around You DRAWING 96 Casting and Posing Your Characters and Models
34 Gathering Inspiration 102 The Expressive Face
THE FIGURE
36 The Importance of Empathy 112 Hands, Gestures, and Body Language
122 The Figure in Motion
Creative approaches to drawing that let the mind roam free and help 7 Color’s creative uses, as well as thoughts on what color is, how to
ideas take shape are explored in this chapter. organize it, and how to employ it to its greatest impact, are considered
in this chapter.
42 The Importance of Doodling
50 Sketching for Greater Clarity AN EYE 128 The Basics of Color
53 The Construction of Form 132 Making Color Choices
FOR COLOR
55 Considering the Common Object 140 Using Color to Evoke Mood, Character, and Atmosphere
Compositional advice from the Famous Artists offers important tips on at- 144 Famous Artists Behind the Scenes: Materials and Methods
tracting and leading the viewer’s eye, establishing a center of interest and 156 About the Authors
point of view, and creating a strong sense of mood and drama in your art.
157 Image Credits
60 Making Compositional Choices 158 Index T
67 Establishing a Center of Interest 2

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W E L C O M E
AL DORNE
Drawing Lessons from the Famous Artists School offers a lively, inspirational exploration of the creative methods
(1906 – 1965)
of America’s most highly regarded illustrators, whose influential narrative artworks reached millions on the covers
and pages of the nation’s most popular mid-century publications. “Drawing is the art of observation and
communication . . . the most important
Emerging from a long period of political and economic transformation following the Great Depression and World War II,
consideration in making pictures. If you’re able
Americans began to reimagine themselves and the new lives that they hoped to lead. Directly linked to commerce to draw you can devote yourself to saying
and the “American dream” of affluence for all, magazines published aspirational images depicting an ideal standard what you think and feel.”
of living. To engage audiences, publishers utilized the talents of artists, whose illustrations were seen and enjoyed by
millions. Top publications boasted subscriptions of 2 to 9 million during the 1940s and 1950s, and copies were shared
among family and friends, bringing readership even higher.
The engaging lessons, sage advice, and creative approaches featured in this book reflect those of the Famous Artists
School founders—twelve exceptional visual communicators who achieved legendary status in their time. The twelve
Famous Artists were more than tastemakers—they played a crucial role in affecting the dreams and aspirations of their
day. The Famous Artists School course promised “A Richer Life Through Art” for those pursuing the dream of an art career.
Among the book’s featured artworks are those from the Famous Artists School Collection at Norman Rockwell
Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, which preserves and shares a growing resource relating to Norman Rockwell
and the art of illustration, the role of published imagery in society, and the American twentieth century. FRED LUDEKENS
We are delighted to share these timeless lessons and the wisdom of these exceptionally talented artists, who put their (1900 – 1982)
experience to work in support of emerging and experienced artists and their creative development.
“I think experience is the best teacher . . .
you learn by doing, seeing, and understanding.”
JOHN ATHERTON AUSTIN BRIGGS STEVAN DOHANOS HAROLD VON SCHMIDT
(1900 – 1952) (1908 – 1973) (1907 – 1994) (1893 – 1982)
“If you can successfully transmit your impressions “Empathy—the ability of the [artist] to feel what “Nature, man and dreams, and manmade “The interesting and challenging fact is that
of a subject, reduced to its essential properties his characters must be feeling—is fundamental objects form the basis of almost all paintings. variety can never be exhausted as long as
through your own personality, the result will be not to an illustrator’s success.” [Artists] are absorbed in expressing the creative thinking and feeling exist.”
only a record or comment about what you see but relationship among the three.”
also an expression of yourself, and as such, unique
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