A slashing tempest?
A rugged granite cliff?
A rolling sea?
The tail plumage from a firebird?
Nah, it's just Robert Fawcett drawing the face of his buddy Al Dorne:
This intense little portrait (approximately 4 inches tall) is a virtuoso performance by a master draftsman. Note the speed and facility with which Fawcett employs a dazzling array of marks. That's what I call drawing!
Fawcett was fiercely proud of his ability. Roger Reed of Illustration House pointed to some of the lines in this drawing and remarked, "he must have used a bamboo stick to draw this, like he intentionally searched for the most difficult-to-control tool in the box."
Is this drawing too intense for you? Do you prefer restraint? That's fine, utter simplicity is another weapon in Fawcett's arsenal:
Please keep an eye out for my new book on the life and work of Fawcett coming from Auad Publishing.
I love your Fawcett posts. He's been a big influence in my own work. Really looking forward to you book!
ReplyDelete-T.Cypress
a book! best news of this whole year! excellent posts, too, yes.
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Fawcett had great energy and integrity and was a consummate composer. I can't wait for the book! He could've drawn with a sponge dipped in molasses and still made great work. The total freedom plus total integrity mix seems to be the holy grail of the last 100 years or so. Only a few artists have ever reached the pinnacle... Fawcett, Fuchs, Fechin, Freud, Frazetta, Cornwell circa 1920-30, Zorn, maybe Edgar Payne, Brangwyn, Walter Biggs, John LeGatta, Degas, Sargent, Sorolla... Not all that many, but "artist's artists" all.
ReplyDeletekev
Thanks, T. Cypress and tonci. Always happy to hear from others who appreciate Fawcett's work.
ReplyDeleteKev, what a wonderful, juicy list of artists. Spend a few minutes thinking about the extraordinarily human accomplishment represented by those names and it's hard to get too concerned about the economy.
David, according to Fawcett's own book, that technique is produced with a Flomaster pen...the grand-daddy of today's markers. The felt tips were replaceable and could be allowed to dry somewhat because there was a demand valve that metered the xylene-based ink.
ReplyDeleteFawcett would allow the felt tip to dry and then scrub it to produce that gutsy texture. He'd use pens in different states of dryness. Something he said always stuck with me...keep your preliminary sketches almost savage in energy and intensity because they lose enery as they go toward the finish.
It's such a pleasure to see great drawing.
ReplyDeleteEven better, when learning that a common marker becomes something else again in the hands of an artist.
Am I off the mark or is the portrait of Al Dorne?
Best regards,
Glenda Rogers
Great post about Fawcett (first time I heard of him to be honest). I'll keep an eye on that book.
ReplyDeleteRob, Fawcett was a sorcerer with those Flomaster pens. Nobody else was able to achieve the results that he did. In fact, Flomaster sent him a lifetime supply for free because he was the best advertising they could possibly hope for. Unfortunately, the marks from that first generation of pens faded with age, so if you want to see those drawings, you have to look in places like Fawcett's book on the Art of Drawing.
ReplyDeleteMy first reaction was the same as yours, that some of these marks must've been made with a Flomaster pen. However, we inspected the original under magnification and the whole thing is in fact good old India ink. How the hell he did it? I guess that's what makes him so great.
I agree with you, that quote about starting out savage is a great quote, and it is a point that is lost on so many artists today who are complacent with a much more shallow form of savagery.
Glenda, you are absolutely right! In fact, Fawcett drew this portrait of Dorne right after his old colleague died, and it was used on the cover of the program at Dorne's memorial service.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gringo-- if you don't know Fawcett's, work he is worth exploring. He was an astonishing draftsman.
Hey David, been poking in now and then but haven't left a comment in some time. As usual, another great post. I am so curious about this book on which you are working. Did I miss a scheduled release date or has that been set yet?
ReplyDeleteHere's to your continued illustration snobbery.
I bought Fawcett's book on the Art of Drawing several yrs. after it was published, then loaned it and didn't get it back. I found another 1958 book and bought it 2 yrs ago. I will look forward to your book.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Sounds like a great book.
ReplyDelete"Keep an eye out for it?" I can't wait! I love Fawcett! --Bob Cosgrove
ReplyDeletei always love the artists list presented...
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know if this artist http://thomasfuchs.com/index.php
bears any relation to bernie fuchs?
looks like he is filling large shoes with digital feet,
D.H.
>>filling large shoes with digital feet<<
ReplyDeleteWhat an amusing assessment.
HOORAY! AT LAST!
ReplyDeleteDr. Scholl needs to invent digital odor eaters.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the book. (But take your time and get it right!)
ReplyDeleteThat list of artists is good. I think Ronald Searle and John Worsley could be added.
love your blogspot i do!
ReplyDelete"A Patchwork of Flesh" is very poetical and if you ever get any artwork to match the title, you'll have an excellent collection. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteThe written word has more potential than the image. That's why some people who call themselves artists spend much more time spewing verbal abuse than actually painting. You both have my sympathy.
ReplyDeleteGreat artists seem to be able to draw with anything and capture the essence. Exquisite forms.
ReplyDeletebook on Fawcett!!!!!!!! count me in!!
ReplyDeleteDavid, one of the most moving eulogies was given to Fawcett by his friend, Austin Briggs...I seem to recall that it was given at the Society of Illustrators. Perhaps someone made a record of it for inclusion in your book.
ReplyDeleteA eulogy is nice (I guess) but please leave the sentimental crap to a minimum. More art, less babble!
ReplyDeleteEven if he did draw with a bamboo stick, it looks bloody effortless.
ReplyDeleteOne of the ways we used to impress our life drawing instructors at collage would be to draw using a palette knife dipped in ink or somesuch. Interesting line work, a cheap trick, but none of it showing the depth of personal knowledge and experience these drawings show.
Fawcett's probably my favorite draftsman. Can't wait to get the new book!
ReplyDeleteYup, another great, another great post...I have so much to learn! As for the two you show, I much prefer the first...that era had so many incredible illustrators and Fawcett was at or near the top.
ReplyDeleteJeff, thanks-- the book will be out later this year. Watch this space.
ReplyDeleteHarald, that book is a classic.
Jack, Bob and Chuck, thanks for writing, I have high hopes for it.
D.H., I believe he is no relation.
Don, Searle is a particular favorite of mine.
Thanks, Josh-- I appreciate your writing.