The 'hole in the wall gang'

Comment by Murray A. Gewirtz on June 14, 2012 at 3:37pm

Wonderful! The color gives the photo a fresh new look.

Comment by anthony martin on June 15, 2012 at 12:00am

  Gary,

    Very well done indeed.I was going quietly mad working on some new graphics for a client and sewing on a pile of Victorian waistcoats and decided to take a break on here.This was quite a pick me up!Now might I suggest a re visit with the Dodge City Peace Commission rendered in Sheaffian glorious color?How about the standing autographed photo of Doc Holliday?Keep up the fine work!

Comment by Gary Sheaf on June 15, 2012 at 6:25am

Thanks Murray. I quite like the diversity of outfits that reflects their personalities.

Anthony; Thanks and glad to be of service! I will take up your suggestions (good choices) and will look for good versions to colourize.
Gary

Comment by anthony martin on June 15, 2012 at 11:27am

   Gary,

     About the above photo-painted backdrops were almost invariably done in natural brown/tan tones or in  in a neutral grey(Payne's grey) and were usually left in natural tint in old hand colored  photos but some were finished completely as well and your decision to color the background looks better and more complete.In the above group photograph two of the double breasted vests are made of a summer weight birdseye pique and rendering them in a different value from the coats is very appropriate.Again,congratulations on a deftly done artistic effort!

  The standing photo of Doc presents some problems in that it is both rather dark and grainy but I've seen some reproductions that were better(image manipulated?) and you should find one that suits your purpose.He tended to favor gray but also wore black or blue on occasion and also liked pastel shirts with white collars and cuffs(clearly a man of good taste).The suit is mid value ,so is likely gray or bluish gray.We look forward to your next product!

Comment by Gary Sheaf on June 18, 2012 at 2:23pm

Anthony

Very interesting facts about photographer's backdrops, I guess coloured backdrops weren't generally neccesary back then. I had in mind; theatrical backdrops and wasn't aware of what would have been used. I have since found a far better quality photo of this group (darn!) and it clearly shows the birds eye pique material you mention that is used in the double breasted vests, good call. In the clearer photo, Sundance's suit looks like a dogtooth check. I personally can't find a good image of Doc' anywhere. Could you send, or post one that you come across please and 'I will give it a go'!

Gary

Comment by anthony martin on June 19, 2012 at 12:02pm

  Gary,

     I still think that coloring the background is ultimately more aesthetically pleasing and original examples so done are a treat.The reason that I can state the finish of early backdrops is that I've handled a couple of dozen original examples and have painted duplicates for friends and my own use.Originals are invariably fragile with much paint and gesso flaking away.

  I'll look for a clearer image of the standing Holliday to post or send along.Since I was planning to do it as an oil portrait myself it behooves me to dig out this image for both our purposes.

   Speaking of pique I found an old tailor's stock of the elusive"lilac pique",much favored by the Victorians for formal day wear waistcoats.It is actually a slightly purplish gray but looks absolutely the berrys(more ancient American slang) with black or Oxford gray.

   Even if you found a slightly better photo of the gang it's hard for me to imagine a finished product that would look much better than your latest!

                                                          Best to you,

                                                                Anthony

Comment by Gary Sheaf on June 24, 2012 at 12:46pm

Anthony

You are indeed, a man of many talents! If you have a web site, I would very much like to see examples of your work. If you could find a clearer image of Doc'  I would be very greatful.

I have been watching old episodes of BBC's Sherlock Holmes from the late 90's and early 2000, with Jeremy Brett as Sherlock. If you get a chance to check it out, I think you would appreciate the attention to detail of the Victorian outfits and manners. The stories are quite good also!

I have completed  the; Dodge City Peace Commision and I am about to post it now!

Yours (about to gather stuff ready for work tomorrow) Gary

Comment by anthony martin on June 24, 2012 at 11:42pm

  Gary,

    I've long been a fan of Doyle and found the Jeremy Brett interpretation to be the most convincingly spot on interpretation of Holmes and he had great partner chemistry with Hardwicke(Sir Cedric's son incidentally).I have most of them on hand alongside the Suchet Poirrots.The production values and authenticity of both are first rate.My favorite Moriarty incidentally-Paul Freeman.A mutual friend of ours wants me to post photos of my production on his website.Watch for it.

   You know,you can take the boy out of Britain for a long time now but I guess you can't take the British(half, at any rate-the rest is Anglo-Celtic on the American side)out of the boy!

Comment by Murray A. Gewirtz on June 25, 2012 at 6:37am

Anthony,

You probably recall that Hardwicke (I'm too lazy to look up his first name) was the second actor to play Watson to Brett's Holmes. I'm too lazy to look up the name of the first guy. Do you know it?

As to Brett's interpretation of Holmes, I thoroughly enjoyed it, though he seemed more quirky, neurotic, and nasty than the impression I got of Sherlock by reading the Conan-Doyle stories.

Comment by anthony martin on June 25, 2012 at 8:28pm

  Murray,

    Edward Hardwicke,following David Burke.Brett's interpretation was certainly acerbic and I think the Granada series was the only one that consistently captured Doyle's subtle humor and Gary is certainly right about the look of the series-astoundingly authentic.

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