CREATIVE PROCESS

       REFERENCE

In order to more accurately render certain visual aspects, such as lighting, perspective, clothing wrinkles, etc., I would use photo reference. If I couldn't find a specific pose or image in my clip file or in a book, I would take a Polaroid. Many friends and family members have graciously agreed to pose for me in extremely stupid and compromising positions over the years. More often than not, I prefer to be the model since I know exactly what kind of pose I'm looking for (and I'm a big ham anyway).
I used a lot of photo reference in my Mad magazine work. I felt it needed that extra level of  realism. I find I use that kind of reference less and less these days, relying instead on a more stylized approach to render "reality".
Below are some examples of my Polaroid reference photos and how they were used.

Mad #420: "The Everlasting, Ridiculous Impact of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire"
Writer: Desmond Devlin

©2002 E.C. Publications

FROM SKETCH TO FINAL

This is the original "Cover We Didn't Use" sketch sent to me by Mad Art Director Sam Viviano for the movie Troy.	My first rough sketch. I changed Eric Banna to an over the shoulder shot so that he and Brad Pitt can be fighting.	My final, tight sketch. Sam wanted me to show Banna's left arm holding a sword and to have Alfred E. Neuman further inside the horse's butt. (God, I love my job!) To see the final painted piece, click here: TROY COVER

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