THE BRIDE AND HER MONSTER OIL PAINTING

[Count_Zirock]

Gorgeous, outstanding, awesome... I hope you aren't tiring of these accolades, Dan. They're sincere and well-deserved.

[oldschooldan]

Thank you again everyone.

The hardest thing, and the thing I have the most fun with is figuring out what colors to you .
The photos (stills) that we all have are the only  images that will ever be made of the films that we love.
My job is to try to make something new from these.

Oil painting is a 500 year old tradition.
Not much has changed over the years (the newest being tube colors!)
There is something very natural about paint with oils.
The textures that you can recreate are endless .

As I sit here in my Cherry Hill N.J. studio I am aware of how fortunate I am to be able to make my living through my art.

MONSTER KIDS FOREVER!


Daniel

[Wolfman]

Dan, I am in absolute awe of your talent...

In my honest opinion, you have gone beyond what anyone else has ever accomplished in monster art, even Basil Gogos. The amount of detail in your work is staggering, but what really makes them for me is that your subjects actually seem alive.

You make me feel like a bloody amateur every time I look at one of your amazing works. I just don't know how you do it.

Dan's talent is off the charts great, no doubt, but better than Basil? I think their style is different, so it may just come down to preference. I LOVE Dan's work for sure, I just have a tough time nudging Basil from the top spot. That being said, I could have my walls covered with both of their paintings, and I would never want to leave the house.

JP

[StyreneDude]

Dan's talent is off the charts great, no doubt, but better than Basil? I think their style is different, so it may just come down to preference. I LOVE Dan's work for sure, I just have a tough time nudging Basil from the top spot. That being said, I could have my walls covered with both of their paintings, and I would never want to leave the house.

JP

Gogos is a legend and I LOVE his work. Don't get me wrong.  I just think Dan's is even better...art is subjective. It's just my opinion and not a slight to Gogos in any way. Who's the best Spider-Man artist? Some will say Ditko, some will say Romita, and some will say McFarlane. It all comes down to personal preference. My favorite painter of all time is Joe Jusko. I think he's the best period. His stuff just blows my mind.

[Wolfman]

Gogos is a legend and I LOVE his work. Don't get me wrong.  I just think Dan's is even better...art is subjective. It's just my opinion and not a slight to Gogos in any way. Who's the best Spider-Man artist? Some will say Ditko, some will say Romita, and some will say McFarlane. It all comes down to personal preference. My favorite painter of all time is Joe Jusko. I think he's the best period. His stuff just blows my mind.

My favorite painter of all time is Monet. I have a few of his originals on my wall..............Oh wait! I just woke up dammit! Just a print after all. LOL. My other favorite artist is John Paul Strain. He just does the Civil War, but check his website out, his work is sick.

JP

[mjaycox]

Dear Dan,

That is gorgeous.

How do you get that really nice sfumato technique/feel to the background? I have never been able to get the hang of it.

Beautifully done.

BTW-- I screened "Son of Frankenstein" at my home the other night, and your maquette was the topic of much discussion and admiration. Thought you'd like to know! Thanks again for doing that for me.

Best,

Matt Jaycox

[oldschooldan]

Thanks Matt.
I achieve the sfumato by working the edges of the objects into each other and the use of subtle glazes to knock down the contrast.

It takes a lot of work but I like the results.
As I get older I find new challenges in painting.
In that scene, I wanted to have a separation of the  figures from the background.
So I worked the edges and lowered the value contrast and made the background (if you squint at it) blend together and not interfere with the figures.

If you notice, there is no value in the background that is as dark as the darkest value in the figures.


I hope this helps, if you need anything else just drop me a email!

Be well,
Daniel

[FRANKEinstein]

ABSOLUTELY God Given Talent right there!
Daniel.....YOU are a MASTER!!!!!

Thankoyou for posting this!

Jeff

[ChrisW]

Beautiful work Dan.

[mjaycox]

If you notice, there is no value in the background that is as dark as the darkest value in the figures.

I did notice that! It is like the exact opposite of a chiaroscuro effect, and really makes the foreground figures pop. Really cool effect.

Thank for your advice on the background with the blending and glazing.  I have been trying my hand at some tonalist-style paintings, and George Inness employed some very similar techniques in his landscapes.

BTW- the area I admire most in this painting of yours is the detail under Frankie's left eye. Everything seems to redirect back to it. It looks as though it is searching her face for some recognition and acceptance, and is the pivotal feature in the whole work.

Thanks again!

Matt

[Gothamknight]

Thanks everyone.
Yes I will be releasing most of my new paintings as limited edition prints.

Daniel

Can't wait.........very nice!!!

[westbatman]

Dan,

That is an amazing painting, monsterfully beautiful! Great news about the prints, I would love to own one.

Andy