James Bama Tribute

My last post mentioned my love for the illustrations of James Bama. He painted over 62 covers for the Doc Savage pulp novels during the 1960's. He is now retired living in Wyoming, and paints western gallery work. His style is usually photo-realistic. Wikipedia link

Here are a few examples of his work. I do not own the copyright to these works. I also apologize for not citing the the actual holders. Enjoy!

Norris Sketch

© 2012 Kyle Wiggins. All rights reserved.

Well it's been a week or so since my last post. I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas. Today's post is a pencil sketch of my old cowboy neighbor Norris D. I've always wanted to do a painting in a style similar to James Bama's cowboy/western art. Well at least similar to his subject matter, not necessarily in style.  

While talking to Norris a couple of weeks ago, I had an overpowering urge to paint him. I have never had such a powerful impression to paint anyone, as I did then. So I ran into the house, grabbed my dslr, and took a few shots. I'm hoping to post a color study next week.

Cheers!

Jack Nicholson - Complete

© 2012 Kyle Wiggins. All rights reserved.

I am finally posting the completed Jack Nicholson.

Jack II

Here's another study for the Jack Nicholson caricature I'm finishing up.

The Man in Black - Complete

© 2012 Kyle Wiggins. All rights reserved.

Abraham Lincoln: Complete

© 2012 Kyle Wiggins. All rights reserved.

I am finally posting the finished Abraham Lincoln.

Jack

Speed Painting

1 hour speed painting.

Daddy Sang Bass. . .

This is a study for a Johnny Cash caricature, I am working on. I've sketched a few variations, still deciding on my favorite.

Nocturne

This is another landscape from last summer. . . Well, a city-scape really. I shot the reference in front of my house, just after night-fall.  Then I painted it in oils in my studio.

© 2012 Kyle Wiggins. All rights reserved.

Hail to the King, Baby!

This is an hour speed painting of Elvis. It's really just a study for an Elvis painting that I am working on now. It is definitely a milder caricature than how I imagine the final piece. I will post the final painting in a couple of weeks.

Landscape Paintings

I spent the Summer plein air painting . I spent about two hours on each painting, while being attacked by mosquitoes, sun, wind, and wildfires. These are some of my favorites.

The first two are copies of  paintings, that I did for practice.

                                                                                                                       

Watercolor - Oxcart

© 2012 Kyle Wiggins. All rights reserved.

This is a  watercolor of an oxcart on display at The Pioneer Museum and Village, in Provo, Utah. It's also being used as a postcard at the museum.

My name is Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln. . .

I am working on a C.F. Payne style caricature of Abraham Lincoln.This is my pencil rough, I'm starting the painting tonight.  I will post it when I'm done.

Interposer

The Interposer         © 2011 Kyle Wiggins. All rights reserved.

This is a concept art piece for an imagined sequel to the mass effect series.(for a class). It is an amphibian star-fighter. It can be used in space, on or under the ocean.This was completed in marker, prismacolors, and chalk.

If it ain't Baroque. . .

© 2012 Kyle Wiggins. All rights reserved.

This is a commissioned piece. George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach were fans of each others work, but never actually met each other in life. Coincidentally enough Handel's, Messiah, premiered on this day in 1742.

Handel is at the handle, Bach is in the back.

1001 Mock Turtle Stories

© 2012 Kyle Wiggins. All rights reserved.

Caricatures

Johnny Cash

Alfred Hitchcock

Teddy Roosevelt

Bette Davis

House M.D.

Don Knotts

Boris Karloff

Daguerreotype

                  © 2012 Kyle Wiggins. All rights reserved.

This is a digital painting in the style of an old daguerreotype photograph.

The man is modeled after Calvin Ellis Stowe, who was a stalwart for public education, and husband of Harriet Beecher. He is petting a baby aardvark.