Warm Up Sketches Late July 2016

Some warm up doodles from the sketchbook from the end of this month. These are just "one line after another" stream of consciousness drawings.

A few more:
Warm Up Drawings Late June/Early July
This Week's Warm Up Drawings

Jack Davis 1924-2016

Jack Davis, best known for his cartoon work for Mad Magazine, died yesterday. He was 91.

At Mad since its inception in 1952, Davis was also known for his work on EC horror comics as well as his extensive magazine and advertising illustration, including movie posters for American Graffiti and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

Mad Magazine editor John Ficarra:

"His ability to put energy and motion into his drawings, his use of cross-hatching and brush work, and his bold use of colour made him truly one of the greats."

A giant in the industry, pros and fans lament the passing of the last of the founding members of Mad Magazine. 

Related links:

BBC News: MAD magazine cartoonist Jack Davis dies aged 91

Mark Evanier Remembers Jack Davis

Richard Thompson 1957-2016

My friend Richard Thompson died today due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. He was 58 years old.

A terrible, terrible tragic loss. What a cartoonist. What a gentleman. This will resonate with me forever. Deepest condolences to his wife and children. I am so sad.

Links:

Michael Cavna, Washington Post: Richard Thompson, acclaimed ‘Cul de Sac’ creator and Post contributor, dies at 58

Team Cul De Sac Blog

Documentary: The Art of Richard Thompson:



The Art of Richard Thompson from GVI on Vimeo.

That's (from left) Tom Stemmle, Mark Anderson, me and Richard Thompson at the OSU Festival a number of years ago.

CIRCLES, TRIANGLES AND SQUARES Photographs by Tana Hoban

Although this blog has been around for over ten years, talking for the most part about cartoons -- here's a first: photographs. Here are a few of the photographs taken by the wonderful Tana Hoban for her children's book CIRCLES, TRIANGLES AND SQUARES, which is copyright 1974 by Ms. Hoban. The book was published by Macmillan.

There are no words in the hardcover book, excepting the title and copyright information. The rest of the book is what the title says. Maybe an adult might need some help, but any kid can sort out the purpose of these photos.

“I try in my books to catch a fleeting moment and an emotion in a way that touches children and makes them want to respond… I try to say, ‘Look!’ There are shapes here and everywhere, things to count, colors to see and always, surprises.”

Born in Philadelphia, Tana Hoban (1917-2006) was originally determined to become an illustrator. When she enrolled in the School of Design for Women (now called the Moore College of Art and Design), she became enamored with photography.

From her bio:

After graduating, she worked as a freelance graphic artist and illustrator. Her pictures appeared in Life, Look, McCall's and other magazines in the 1940s. Hoban did not publish her first children’s book until 1970, with SHAPES AND THINGS. Since then, Hoban published more than 50 books. More than 2 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide!

Here are a few of her photos from CIRCLES, TRIANGLES AND SQUARES. They are lovely and reminded me that the thrill in learning is discovering. Ms. Hoban believe in the power of the image. The book is long out of print and deserves to be reprinted.

Dick Buchanan: Gag Cartoon Clip File 1946-64

Here are some mid century cartoons that friend-of-this-blog Dick Buchanan "found interesting and amusing." This is a great selection of fifteen gag cartoons that probably have not seen the light of day since they were first published. These are from his personal clip file and Dick has cataloged them and made some notes. Here is some early work by Eldon Dedini, Edward Koren and Johnny Hart. Thanks for sharing these! Take it away, Dick!

 

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TON SMITS. A cartoonist from the Netherlands, his work began appearing in American magazines in the mid 1950s. Always simple and endearing, this is from Look, March 28, 1961.

CHARLES ADDAMS. Collier’s, March 29, 1948.

CHON DAY. Collier’s, June 22, 1956

TOM HENDERSON. From The Saturday Evening Post, 1940’s. A wacky cartoonist & a master of slapstick . . .

 . . . Case Closed — TOM HENDERSON in Collier’s, January 13, 1951.

STAN FINE. American Magazine. May, 1954.

STAN HUNT in The Saturday Evening Post, April 18, 1953.

JOHNNY HART. His popular comic strip B.C. would debut in 1957. For Laughing Out Loud, Oct-Dec, 1956.

DICK CAVALLI. Collier’s, February 21, 1953.

CEM (Charles E. Martin) a full page For Laughing Out Loud, April-June, 1964.

AL ROSS. In the late 1950’s Al Ross, master of the zen cartoon, was at his best. For Laughing Out Loud, Apr-June, 1959.

 ELDON DEDINI. The New Yorker and Playboy magazine great with an early charcoal effort for JUDGE, March, 1946.

 ELDON DEDINI ten years later, in Collier’s, March 30, 1956.

EDWARD KOREN. For Laughing Out Loud, Oct-Dec, 1964.

 FRED LUNDY, March 30,1956. Just a silly cartoon, which is the the point.

Related:

Dick Buchanan: Some Favorite Magazine Gag Cartoons 1940-60s

Cartoon Classes by Mike Lynch

Just a quick shout out to all the great kids who attended my cartoon class at the Long Island Museum last week. You guys are great! Look at these drawings! Just wonderful and well drawn and funny.

Live in NYC or New England? If you are interested in me coming to teach cartooning at your school or library or group, then just send an email to me: Mike at MikeLynchCartoons.com.