Looking Out To Sea

Looking Out To Sea by Norman Rockwell

From Sketchbook to Canvas: Norman Rockwell's Early Artistic Process

The iconic American artist... more

by Norman Rockwell

Title

Looking Out To Sea

Artist

Norman Rockwell

Medium

Painting

Description

Looking Out To Sea by Norman Rockwell

From Sketchbook to Canvas: Norman Rockwell's Early Artistic Process

The iconic American artist Norman Rockwell is widely recognized for his nostalgic paintings that capture the spirit of small-town America. But before creating such beloved works as"No Swimming" painting or "Looking Out To Sea" painting, Rockwell honed his skills as a draftsman, learning the techniques of sketching and transferring his artwork to canvas. In this blog post, we explore the early artistic process of Norman Rockwell from sketchbook to canvas.

Norman Rockwell was born on February 3, 1894, in New York City. Growing up, he showed a keen interest in art and enjoyed drawing and painting in his free time. His family moved to Mamaroneck, New York when he was 14, and it was here that he began to take his artistic pursuits more seriously.

(See The Catch cut and past this link https://fasgallerycom.pixels.com/featured/the-catch-norman-rockwell.html )

Rockwell's artistic influences were diverse. He was inspired by the work of American realist painters such as Thomas Eakins and Robert Henri. He also drew inspiration from the illustrations he saw in popular magazines of the time, such as Life, Judge, and Collier's Weekly. One of the most significant influences on Rockwell's art was the illustrator J.C. Leyendecker, whose work he greatly admired.

(See: Looking Out To Sea https://fasgallerycom.pixels.com/featured/looking-out-to-sea-norman-rockwell.html )

At age 16, Rockwell enrolled in art classes at The Chase School in New York City. A few years later, he left school to pursue a career in illustration. He began working as a freelance artist and created his first published work, a drawing called "Circus Barker and Strongman," which appeared in the April 1912 issue of St. Nicholas Magazine.

Rockwell's early paintings showed his ability to capture everyday life in a charming and humorous way. One of his most famous early works, "The Catch," painted when he was just 19 years old, shows a group of boys fishing on a sunny day. This painting was later used in an advertisement for a fishing rod company.

Rockwell's early artistic successes would lay the foundation for his future work as one of America's most beloved illustrators. As he continued to hone his skills, Rockwell developed a unique style that would become instantly recognizable. He would often start with a sketch or a series of sketches, working out the composition and details before beginning to paint. The Catch painting, for example, went through several stages of sketches before Rockwell settled on the final image.

Rockwell's early success caught the eye of The Saturday Evening Post, a popular magazine that would become his primary publisher for over four decades. His first cover for the magazine was published in 1916 and was the start of a long and fruitful partnership. His covers for the Post would often depict American life and values, featuring scenes such as Thanksgiving dinners, family vacations, and small-town parades. These illustrations helped to shape the American identity in the early to mid-20th century.

Beyond The Saturday Evening Post, Rockwell also worked on a variety of other projects. He created advertisements for companies such as Jell-O, Kellogg's, and Coca-Cola. He also contributed illustrations to books, including Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield." Rockwell even designed posters for the war effort during World War II.

Despite his many successes, Rockwell never lost his passion for creating art. He continued to work until his death in 1978, leaving behind a legacy that has inspired generations of artists.


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Enjoy! Floyd Snyder, FASGallery.com

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December 11th, 2015