The Cost of Reference Materials

[Bob Boze Bell]

December 30, 2008
Getting ready to attack the big oil painting of "Brother In Arms." So, on Sunday, I gathered all of my Pat Garrett props and threw them on an inexpensive model (me), and had Kathy shoot a dozen pics in the back yard.



After I finished the study I had numerous questions, or problems to solve, before I attack the big oil painting. In part, I wanted to know what the light would do to the buffalo coat as it went from direct light to shadow. I wanted to know what you could see of how the shadows would work on Garrett's hat if he turned to look into the sun, and I wanted to know exactly what shadows his rifle would produce. But most importantly I wanted to know how the light would reflect on Garrett's sheriff badge.

Since I had virtually every prop that Garrett's wearing I decided to put them on and take a series of photos to find out the answers. Here's a closeup by Ms. Radina of the items in question:



You may notice that I'm not wearing the buffalo cap. I took a series with that cap on, but I didn't like it as well as the broad brimmed hat series, so I'm considering changing to that headgear.

meanwhile, just for grins I tabulated the cost of my props and here they are:

• 1873 Winchester, $1,000 (a gift from Kathy, who bought it from John Gilchrease)

• Colts .45, $750 (bought used from Phoenix Pawn)

• Red River Gun Belt, $150

• Buffalo Coat, $300 (Big Bug Creek Antique Store)

• Custom, high top boots, $500 (Johnny Weinkauf bootmaker)

• Lincoln County Sheriff's badge, $260 (Badge collection)

• Vest, $75 (Custom suit from End of Trail)

• Cargo pants, $25 (Thomas Charles leftover bin)

And finally, the reason all of these props fit: a heart attack operation at Kingman Regional Hospital, $131,000 (Healthcare Net).

Ha.

Gee, I wonder what the great Henri has to say about this?

"An artist who does not use his imagination, is a mechanic."
—Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

[Carol]

You had me going right up to the garden hose and pool...

[Bob Boze Bell]

Good point Carole. The garden hose is from Target, $28.95 and the pool is from Builder John Glenn, $20,000. And be sure to thank your husband, John Glenn, for the house and the pool!

[XkimpunkrockX]

Is that the Winchester called one of a thousand? WOW if it is~~!! That is awesome! When I lived in New Haven CT, I use to deliver food to the Winchester factory on a street named Winchester after the company that changed the face of the west. In the lobby they have a huge bronze statue of John Wayne holding one of their guns. The security inside that place is intense. The statue was really amazing. They also had some old guns under glass in their lobby. That would be a great place to film an interstitial. Great blog by the way. As a fellow painter, I really enjoyed reading about your process. Thanks for posting the pictures.

[Mazz]

WOW..just Wow! This is gorgeous Bob!! The realism is so striking!
Great Job Bob!

[Bob Boze Bell]

The swimming pool was the hardest part to paint and render accurately. No, actually, the above images are photos, but perhaps you are referring to the study of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid from my blog? In that case, thank you very much.

[Patricia Crews]

You should have shot this photo out in the desert somewhere...It would hve been better, JMO.

[Bob Boze Bell]

I wasn't after a better photo, I was after photo reference for the props I was wearing. The finished painting will be in the correct location and hopefully without a swimming pool. Ha.

[Jim Hatzell]

You can be a model at the ARTIST RIDE anytime!

[Bob Boze Bell]

That's a high compliment Jim. One of these years I am going to make it to your August Artist Ride. I sometimes feel like I've been there because I use so many of your photos in my drawings and paintings, especially in the Mickey Free story, where I think you provided 500 images.