Heritage Auctions is a great site for artists. They post large images of the lots up for auction and they often get some stellar works.
The 2016 October Illustration Art Signature Auction has some wonderful illustrations for sale.
Here are some of my highlights but be sure to browse through. There are some hilariously bad images there too (I am looking you Hunting a Dangerous Animal, Manhood Magazine cover).
** There are some NSFW images among the auctions lots. Heritage hides lot previews that might be considered obscene, but there are also some pinup paintings and drawings that might not be welcomed in all work environments.
Be sure to click on the images to see the full size images. Most are 3000 px in the larger dimension.
Let’s start with Tom Lovell. BTW, if you haven’t purchased a copy of the upcoming book from Illustration Magazine you better hurry and pick on up. This one has to be close to selling out!
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| Tom Lovell – Christmas Morning |
What a beautifully painted profile! Her hair is wonderful too. It has strong shapes, beautiful simplicity and texture.
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| Tom Lovell – Christmas Morning – detail |
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| Tom Lovell – The Quiet Wife |
Strong dramatic colors. I love the subtle but powerful falloff of light from the woman’s face to the corners of the painting. Wonderful value control on top of everything else.
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| Tom Lovell – The Occupation of Paris 1943 |
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| Tom Lovell – The Occupation of Paris 1943 – detail |
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| Tom Lovell – The Man Across the Hall |
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| Tom Lovell – Son of the Coach |
Lumberjacks can always be counted on to save your bacon. Though once you get to shore, they will tear you to pieces with hooks on sticks. I think this is what is happening here. I didn’t read the story so I might be wrong.
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| Tom Lovell – Lumberjack Rescue |
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| Arhtur Rackham – A Terrible Fellow, Little Brother and Little Sister |
Robert Peak – I love the dynamic compositions and paint of Peak’s work.
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| Robert Peak – Thrust and Parry |
Look at the wavy motion lines, sans Photoshop, coming off the hurdler’s arm.
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| Robert Peak – One Step Ahead |
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| Bernie Fuchs – Earl Campbell Houston Oilers |
Mead Schaeffer always makes me happy. + shapes and values paired with great paint. Reminds me of Cornwell!
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| Mead Schaeffer – Couple in the Garden |
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| Mead Schaeffer – Couple in the Garden – detail |
Haddon Sundblom
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| Haddon Hubbard Sundblom – A Talk in the Park |
What a great face!
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| Haddon Hubbard Sundblom – A Talk in the Park – detail |
George Giguere – An artist I was not familiar with, but the great shapes and colors on this really pulled me in.
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| George Giguere – Anthony Visiting Celopatra |
Chesley Bonestall – Another new artist for me. The starkness of the edges and shapes are very striking. It feels almost like the wonderful litho pulled travel posters of the early 20th century but with more rendering. It is quite beautiful, I would love to hang this one on my wall.
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| Chesley Bonestall – Taj Mahal |
Hi Howard, luv the paintings by Tom Lovell and Mead Shaeffer. How come no one paints like that anymore? Most illustrations are very highly rendered works. Is that the type of work art directors are looking for?
Hi Howard—great stuff. One correction to note: the Earl Campbell painting is by Bernie Fuchs, not Bob Peak.
Interesting to see the Chesley Bonestall, I've only been familiar with his astronomical work. Thanks!
Thanks for the catch, Jeff. Fixed.
Thanks Jeff and thank you Dan for fixing that. Not sure how I missed that one.