Surrounded by Eerie, Creepy Monsters!

  While I had my fair share of straight up comic books growing up what I preferred more than anything was the horror comics produced by Warren Publishing. This included EERIE, CREEPY and sometimes VAMPIRELLA. My Mom allowed me to subscribe to only one which I chose to be EERIE magazine. What I'd actually do was scrape up the cash and stealth purchase CREEPY whenever I could. My Mother prohibited me from bringing VAMPIRELLA in the house after a while as she didn't approve of her lack of clothing and revealing anatomically correct artistic style. I also subscribed to Famous Monsters of Filmland by Warren Publishing, not a comic per say, but the covers did feature some fantastic art by Basil Gogos (see below).

  Having read the contents of the aforementioned magazines I would often just sit and stare at the covers. I really didn't know it at the time but this introduced me to incredibly talented artists such as Frank Frazetta, Ken Kelly, Ben Casey, Richard Corben and many others.

EERIE #74 - Copyright Warren Publishing - Cover Art: Ken Kelly

  In thinking of the composition and use of color for Poe's painting I was heavily influenced by Basil Gogos who did many covers for Famous Monsters. Gogos also went on to create Rob Zombie's famous album cover, "Hellbilly Deluxe".

Copyright: Rob Zombie ~ Art: Basil Gogos

Copyright Warren Publishing & Art by Basil Gogos

  Another influence of mine is the great Lon Chaney Sr. (more on this in later blog posts) and the following is Basil Gogos painting of Lon Chaney's Phantom of the Opera make-up for his portrayal of Erik.

Art: Copyright Basil Gogos

  The portrait above shows how I am looking to portray Poe. A very painterly portrait with dramatic lighting effects and still somehow very realistic depiction of the subject.

Poe Sits for Portrait

  What if Edgar Allan Poe had sat for his portrait to be painted? What if I happened to be the artist he chose to paint his portrait? Lofty goals yes, but this is what I wanted Poe's portrait to convey in it's final form. 

  There had to be something different that was captured other than copying his likeness from one of the daguerreotypes Poe had sat for over the years. Looking at his handful of photographic likenesses I had wondered if part of Poe's expression was from the anticipation of holding perfectly still and waiting for a blinding flash of light. Imagine, you are told not to blink, not to breathe and for wait for an explosion of light that would blind you temporarily. What would you look like perhaps? Could you look natural?

Daguerreotype of Poe, 9 November 1848 ~ Richard Gimbel Collection, Philadelphia Free Library

  The daguerreotype above is what I had settled on as the sitting I would most focus my painting's likeness upon. Since Poe died in 1849 the image above would be one of his last, a good starting point for a likeness. Now how to add an element of his genius without an image of a raven superimposed or intertwined in his hair? Perhaps it was in conveying a level of humanity and sensitivity in his likeness.

Sketch of Poe - Painting study - by Maxx

  The sketch above was an early study I drew of Poe's likeness. In studying the sketch I decided not to knit his eyebrows in look of anguish or consternation in the final painting. This was what I see in other drawings and paintings - for my final piece this needs to be avoided. 

  Next blog post will focus on influences in color and style for the portrait.  

Poe-trait - WIP

  I've been experimenting with Acrylic paints and started a Portrait of the "Master of the Macabre", Edgar Allan Poe. It is unfinished and a WIP (work in progress) at the time of this post. I will continue to post progress as well as some of the thought process in why I chose to complete a portrait of Poe and choices I've made in my final composition.

  A vision of Poe sitting for a portrait has been on my mind quite a bit. Throughout Poe's life he sat for various photographs, these moments are all we have to show us Poe's true image. These captured images of Poe seem to reflect a great deal about his character through his expression. Some physical features or a look of distress have been an element in many Poe portraits. I wanted to create a painting of Poe without his distinctive character elements exaggerated which may demean or belittle the genius which is Poe. 

Edgar Allan Poe ~ Acrylic on Canvas ~ Maxx