30 paintings in 30 days – Page 7 – The Art of James Richardson

The Joker- Day 15- 30 Paintings in 30 Days

6"x6" ink and watercolor paint on illustration board — 6″x6″ ink and watercolor paint on illustration board

Here is a little smile for making it halfway through the 30 paintings in 30 days.

Here is one version of the Clown Prince of Crime, the Joker, as portrayed by Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight. Not only is the look very disturbing but his performance was one of the best ever. Ledger certainly stole the movie with his portrayal. But, a part of me certainly misses the funnier version of the Joker. Like Cesar Romero in the Batman 1960’s television show or how he was in the comics in the 70’s. Once the 1980’s came around the comics changed him from a guy trying to steal money and small crimes to beating Robin to death with a baseball bat. Goodbye to the classic version of the Joker. Don’t get me wrong, the comics have done some great stuff with him but they have certainly pushed him into some very uncomfortable places for us to witness. And the Dark Knight movie definitely showcased that newer version of the character.

This day’s painting also gave me a chance to work more with ink pens and do more of a comic book art style. That is more like the style that I’m more comfortable with. I really enjoy painting but I don’t feel comfortable with it. Which is the perfect reason to keep on with it. And keep on I shall…

Please join me on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jamesrichardsonart77/

Twitter- @jamesr_art

Instagram-monstercola13

For more on the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge check out- http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog

Edward Scissorhands- Day 14- 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Day 14 is brought to us by the wonderful film from director Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands. For this painting I went back to some of my favorite mediums, ink and watercolor paint. I feel most comfortable using ink in liquid form or markers/pens. I’ve been staying away from it for most of this challenge because I was thinking that people would rather see more “fine art” painting style. And ink, to me, is more of an illustration medium. This challenge might not be making me a noticeably better artist but it is seriously making me doubt my ideas about what and where I should be going with my art and technique.

Please join me on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jamesrichardsonart77/

Twitter- @jamesr_art

Instagram-monstercola13

For more on the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge check out- http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog

David Bowie Tribute- Day 13- 30 Paintings in 30 Day Challenge

9"x12" colored pencil, ink, acrylic ink and gesso on toned paper — 9″x12″ colored pencil, ink, acrylic ink and gesso on toned paper

The Hearts Filthy Lesson Falls Upon Deaf Ears

Today’s 30 in 30 painting is a portrait I wish I didn’t have to do under these conditions. With the passing of David Bowie yesterday, I didn’t really feel up to the challenge of doing artwork based on him. I’m actually surprised I got it done today. I am a fan of Bowie and I have been very much into his music since the mid 1990’s. Like most children of the 80’s, my first recollections of Bowie come from his videos for Let’s Dance, Modern Love, China Girl and of course, his duet with Bing Crosby on Little Drummer Boy. I really liked those songs of the Let’s Dance album but my first purchase of Bowie’s music was the Labyrinth soundtrack. I loved and still love that movie. And that soundtrack is fantastic. Within You is one of my favorite Bowie songs. It is haunting and a little creepy. I hear it and I can close my eyes and see that scene of him singing the song in the movie.

Your Eyes Can Be So Cruel

Just As I Can Be So Cruel

And that is where I stopped when it came to his music. At that point he was off my radar. It wasn’t until 1995 that Bowie’s music made it back to me. The Outside album came out that year. It was like nothing I had ever heard before. A jazz mixed with industrial musical concept album about a serial killer who is committing murders in the name of art and the detective who is trying to catch him. This album came out right as Nine Inch Nails was a huge band and Trent Reznor certainly had an influence on this album. The songs are strange and a bit random and the story is equally strange. But this album completely works for me. And I place it right towards the top of my all time favorite albums by any artist. This was also the time when I was able to see him in concert. The show was amazing and a great time.

We Had Such Wishful Beginnings

But We Live Unbearable Lives

This is my favorite era of Bowie’s career. The music is different and compelling and I thought his look was great. That’s why I chose to do this portrait of him during that time period. I feel like everyone thinks of him in the Ziggy Stardust/Aladdin Sane era and that is far from my favorite visual time of Bowie, for me. This also marks the first time I have done this style of artwork on toned paper. For some reason it felt like the right thing to do. But, like Bowie himself, I feel the need to change my style.

Thank you David for all you have given us.

Please join me on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jamesrichardsonart77/

Twitter- @jamesr_art

Instagram-monstercola13

For more on the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge check out- http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog

Jack in the Graveyard- Day 12- 30 Paintings in 30 Days

6"x6" Ink, watercolor and ink paint on illustration board — 6″x6″ Ink, watercolor and ink paint on illustration board

Day 12 of the 30 paintings in 30 days.

Phew

I can admit that I’m starting to feel it. This process, even though this is my second time doing the 30 in 30 challenge, is starting to get to me. It’s not sitting down and doing the art that is hard but the process of deciding what subject matter is a huge struggle. Another thing that I am dealing with is that I think I need to start slowing down and taking more time with my work but that isn’t really an option with this challenge. Plus, doing all this while just starting the website and blog and Facebook account is hard too. And now with being able to look at stats on these pieces and taking note on reactions and more importantly, lack of reactions are making me rethink the work I’m doing. I think I am going to have to change and refocus on things after this month is over.

Please join me on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jamesrichardsonart77/

Twitter- @jamesr_art

Instagram-monstercola13

For more on the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge check out- http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog

Haunted Mansion Graveyard Queue-Day 11-30 Paintings in 30 Days

6"x6" acrylic ink, colored pencil and watercolor paint on illustration board — 6″x6″ acrylic ink, colored pencil and watercolor paint on illustration board

Day 11 out of 30 brings us to the outside of the line for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. We are standing inside of the pet cemetery that leads to do the front door of the mansion. This is not my first time doing paintings from this area. But, before we get into that here is a little behind the scenes drawing before the paint was splattered onto it.

HM Queue Cemetary B&W

And here is a video process of another Haunted Mansion Graveyard queue painting I did:

Lilac

And one more:

Haunted Mansion Queue

Please join me on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jamesrichardsonart77/

Twitter- @jamesr_art

Instagram-monstercola13

For more on the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge check out- http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog

Day 9- Haunted Mansion Bat Stanchion- 30 Paintings in 30 Days

6"x6" oil paint on a panel — 6″x6″ oil paint on a panel

Day 9 brings us back to the Haunted Mansion. Specifically, the hallway that leads from the Stretching Portrait Elevator to the Doombuggy loading area. This little guy is the topper to the poles that are chained together to help lead the way to your vehicle. The thing I love about the Haunted Mansion and Disneyland itself are the details. There is always something to discover when you are there. Something like the bat stanchion could easily go unnoticed. But, it’s these things that help create the atmosphere perfect for a haunted mansion.

Please join me on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jamesrichardsonart77/

Twitter- @jamesr_art

Instagram-monstercola13

For more on the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge check out- http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog

Boris Karloff- Day 8- 30 Paintings in 30 Days

6"x6" acrylic ink, colored pencil and oil paints on an illustration board — 6″x6″ acrylic ink, colored pencil and oil paints on an illustration board

One full week of paintings completed!! Now on to week two!

After doing a portrait of Bela Lugosi as Dracula on day 4, I knew I would have to include the actor who is probably the most well known of the classic monster characters, Boris Karloff. You can not mention or think about Frankenstein’s monster and not think of Karloff under the makeup. But as an actor, Karloff has a huge resume of great roles. And, I have drawn and painted several renditions of Karloff as The Monster, this made me decide to just do a portrait of the man, not one of his monster movie characters. As I did this painting I was listening to a great album that Karloff narrates about the classic Universal Horror movies. It’s called “An Evening With Boris Karloff And Friends”. Here is a link so you can listen to both sides of the record.

Beaker-Day 7 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

6"x6" acrylic ink, colored pencils and oil paint on illustration board — 6″x6″ acrylic ink, colored pencils and oil paint on illustration board

MEEP MEEP

How can you not love the craziness of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew’s assistant, Beaker? Muppet Labs skits on the Muppet Show are some of my favorites. As soon as you hear their little theme song and see them, you know Beaker is in for something bad.

Here is Day 7’s painting for the 30 in 30. Tomorrow will have us see a different kind of scientist, maybe like one who is known for science going wrong…

This painting is available for sale for $50.00

See more about the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge at-

http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog

#themuppets #beaker #30paintingsin30days #muppetlabs

Madame Leota-Day 6 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge

6"x6" acrylic ink, colored pencil and gouache paint on illustration board — 6″x6″ acrylic ink, colored pencil and gouache paint on illustration board

Even though I started working on paintings ahead of time for this challenge, these last 2 day’s posts are of pieces that I finished just in time for the challenge. Today we make a trip back to Disneyland. More specifically the Haunted Mansion.

Madame Leota:

Horntoads and lizards, fiddle and strum. Please answer the role by beating a drum!

Ghost fiends and furies, old friends and new! Blow in a horn, so we’ll know whether it’s you!

Serpents and spiders, tail of a rat; call in the spirits, wherever they’re at.

Rap on a table; it’s time to respond. Send us a message from somewhere beyond.

Goblins and ghoulies from last Halloween. Awaken the spirits with your tambourine.

Creepies and crawlies, toads in a pond; let there be music, from regions beyond!

Wizards and witches, wherever you dwell, give us a hint, by ringing a bell!

Madame Leota is the dismembered head that speaks to the spirits to have them appear for all to see. One of many classic moments on this ride. This is actually a painting from the old version of the ride. Now the crystal ball containing her head floats around the room as she speaks to you. It’s a great effect but not as exciting for my painting. It would be the ball floating in the darkness. I like the visual of the ball on the table with candles flanking her along with playing cards on the table.

Still not sure what day 7 will bring yet but I think it will involve a Muppet.

This painting is available for sale for $50.00

Follow me on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/jamesrichardsonart77/

See more about the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge at-

http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog