Black Jacket Symphony pen and ink #1

June 8th, 2011 Pen and Ink 9x12
Black Jacket Symphony
Allen Barlow
I found this photo on a friends Facebook page and did this ink drawing based on that photo. It started as a more "loose" pen and ink drawing, but the more ink I applied, the more it really looked like my friend, Allen Barlow. So, the more ink I added, the more naturally the details were added.....the bass player and a few other members became more visible.
Total time: about 8 hours spread over 3 nights
Click on the image to see a larger view.
I will try and get permission to show the original photo I used to create this.........

Started back pen and ink portraits

I use to do hundreds of pen and ink portraits during the 1990's and on into about 2003. Over that time, I bet I drew and sold over 500, no lie! My files are crammed with photocopies of most of these drawings and 90% of them I don't even know or remember who they are. I got burned out with pen eventually and just stopped doing and accepting any type of ink work since then....until recently. A co-worker/friend wanted a portrait of his son in ink for a Mother's Day gift. Here is the photo and the result. It's been 7-8 years.....

12x18 1966 VW Bus

acrylic on art board

12x12 Pop Art Love Bus

acrylic on art board

12x12 Pop Art Beetle

acrylic on art board

8x10 Pimp Acoustic Player

acrylic on stretched canvas, framed