A few days ago my friend and fellow creative Bill Nelson sent me an e-mail announcing his latest art book. Some of you may already be aware of Bill Nelson’s work – he’s an award winning illustrator (500+ awards) and artist. Bill is the master of colored pencil and has also developed a very successful career in sculpture. His dolls are sought after by celebrities and collectors. Recently he has entered into a partnership called “Inspired Worx” to produce fully articulated ventriloquist dolls.
Bill has garnered numerous awards in his thirty plus year career including medals form the Society of Illustrators, The Art Directors Club of NY, Communication Arts Magazine and many many more.
Here are a few brief comments on his technique. In Bill’s words:
“As for the illustrations, the technique is colored pencils on various background colors. Sometimes I use a basic wash to fill in an area instead of trying to build it up completely with pencil. I work on anything from mat board, to recycled paper, ( with a little Canson charcoal paper thrown into the mix ).”
“The INSPIRED WORX figures begin as heads sculpted in plasticine. Then seven coats of polyurethane varnish so they`ll withstand the trip out west.
I have tried animating them myself but have no talent in that area.
RANDALL the bum figure is fully loaded with, moving mouth, stick out tongue, one stationary eye and one universal one. Raising and lowering eyebrows, wiggling ears and a light-up nose.”
“I`m in partnership with a very talented engineer on the west coast and, while I design and sculpt each character, he casts them and builds the intricate movements. We are called INSPIRED WORX.”
Links:
Bill’s website
Bill’s art book
A new Bill Nelson book is welcome news: it's been far too many years since his first collection was published (FINISHING THE HAT in 1987). I always loved the monster portraits he was doing early in his career for PHOTON and CINEFANTASTIQUE…
Have that Arnie. It's a great compilation. When I was young I lived for awhile in Virginia. Upon learning that Bill Nelson lived in Richmond I drove the couple of hours to get there and simply went up to his door. I couldn't believe he let me in and was so generous with his time. Originals for many pieces I had seen were hanging on his walls. He led me to his studio and took the time to answer a lot of questions and inspire me beyond expectations. He is one of the reasons I turned from advertising design and worked hard enough to make crazy images my thing.
I knew Bill back in the 70’s and while I was in the industry. I’m not the least bit surprised by his generosity with his time. He is simply that kind of guy. I remember him as kind with a great wit and a wonderful laugh. I haven’t seen him in35 years but I bet we would pick up right where we left off.