Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight: The Joker, "Face"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Charcoal, Soft Pastel and Oil Pastel on Paper

After completing the Jack Nicholson 1989 "Splash" picture I knew I had to do a Heath Ledger companion to the piece.  I re-watched The Dark Knight and decided that this had to be my first color piece.  I went with a mixed medium approach, blending charcoal, soft and oil pastels to achieve the finished product.  It wasn't easy - the minimalistic approach to color was a fun thing to play with in this piece but it really made me want to do one with his bright green hair.  I'm really happy with the finished product in this case though, Ledger's sardonic eyes peering out from the shadows and that demonic smile perfectly silhouetted.  I can't wait to start getting prints of this one done, they are going to look just amazing!

Julie Newmar - Batman: Catwoman, "#1"

Julie Newmar - Catwoman, "#1"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Perhaps best remembered for her role as the original Catwoman on the 1960's Batman show with Adam West, Julie Newmar wanted to be a comedian but ended up working her way into some feature films before establishing a fruitful television career that would plateau in many ways with her role as Catwoman on the Batman series.  Keeping that in mind I found an early version of her make-up with much more of her face exposed.  She would eventually wear a mask but I didn't want to obscure her fact that much.  I also did a companion piece to this one of her earlier pin-up years that I will post soon.  In the meantime, you know where to find this print; same bat time, same bat channel er, bat blog that is!

Vincent Price - The Bat: Malcolm Wells, "The Bat"

Vincent Price - The Bat

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

The unforgettable Vincent Price is swooping in this holiday season - again remembered here in a piece paying tribute to one of his earlier and oft over looked films, The Bat.  It also stays well within the Classic Horror series of the 1940's and 50's that we have been working on for the this Halloween season.  Price has been such a presence in so many ways from his films and narration as well as being a real personality and family man, that I felt he had earned a place amongst names like Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.  II wanted to illustrate a younger more serious Price than many people are used to with this piece, when many people.considered him to be the up and coming, pretty boy actor of his time.  Notice how he doesn't look serious or snide though, somehow he always maintained a sense of majesty that time hasn't varnished.

Jack Nicholson - Batman: The Joker, "Spash" (1989)

Jack Nicholson - The Joker: Splash

Portrait, 18 x 24 in.

Lead on Paper

Jack Nicholson as The Joker from Tim Burton's classic 1989 film, Batman - what else needs to be said?  For many he defined the character.  And whatever you may think about him, he never failed to deliver on the entertainment in a film that was wonderful and yet lacking in so many ways.  The action sequences were so limited on that original film because of the actual Batman suit that was designed for Michal Keaton who was portraying the title role, but were brought to vivid life by Nicholson's unyielding acting chops and his sense of over the top madness that seems to seep from the celluloid at times.  This film is one of my first memories and the image has been burnt into my head for as long as I can remember so it felt really good to get this one down on paper finally and hopefully pay a little homage to the man who brought me so much joy in my childhood.  "For my number one guy!"