Gangland's Doom: a review

 This is out of the normal realm of figurative drawings but since it's my blog...

   The 50th Anniversary Edition of "Gangland's Doom" was released a month or so ago.  I did the cover art for the hardbound edition and the interior art for both versions as well as a color tweak of the interior art for the back covers.  I've been a fan of The Shadow since I discovered a copy of "The Living Shadow" in a used book shop back in the early 70s.  I became aware of "Gangland's Doom" by Frank Eisgruber, Jr. in the 80s, around the time Chaykin did the whole revival and update of The Shadow.  Never did I think that I could be involved in such an historic project as this.  So, allow me to smile and have a little pride in this wonderful addition to the history of The Shadow.  Click here to watch a very complimentary review of this book and my art.  (the gushing praise starts at 2:39)

 

My favorite

 Again, I could do these kinds of drawings all day long.  Love the masses, shadows & shapes.  Lost edges really pull me into these types of images.

45 minute pose

 A struggle from start to (semi) finish.  Lots of stuff to work with and yet I just couldn't get where I wanted with this one.  It happens.

Kinda cheeky

 This would make a nice little pin-up piece if I were to take it to final.  As it is, it's just a nice little sketch.

Just couldn't make this work

 Although the proportions art accurate, I just couldn't do the pose justice.  Probably not a drawing I will try to make it viable.

Gesturely efforts

 Lines, lines, everywhere a line.  To steal from a great song...

Favorite of the night

 Lots of cast shadows and lost edges.  I'd love to do these all day long.  This was a lot of fun to do.  Grateful it was only a fifteen minute pose or I'd have overworked it.

Disappointed

 I may continue beating this one to death.  I know there is something there, I just couldn't make it work during the session.  Frustrating.

Crossed

 

A little leg study.  Dig those cast shadows.

Portrait in 10

Just a little vignette of Samm.  I may go back in on this and make it even more vague.

Sketchy

Some nice poses for our gestures.  Thank you, Samm.
 

Comfortably numb

 This was a great pose with a lot of potential.  However, I fear I chose the wrong medium.  I should have tried conté and better paper.  Still, I'm fairly happy with a few aspects of this sketch.  Mostly the face.

Kinda messy

 Lots of smudging of vine charcoal and a bit of charcoal pencil.  I wish I had gotten further...

Vogue...

 ... strike a pose.

Them glasses

 Always fun to draw the specs, but I asked her to take them off for other poses.  You'll see even if she can't.