Henry VI: First Ad seen

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It is always a pleasant surprise to see the first add using my poster art for a new show, in this case Henry V Part 2. I reused the Henry VI hand drawn title for the previous years Henry VI Part 1 since I figured some continuity was needed. I find it funny that the thumbs up symbol for likes fell right on Margaret of Anjou‘s left hand making it look like she were giving a thumbs up rather than clenching her fist.

This is a rare case where we found out who was cast in the part before the poster was complete so I painted the actress for the poster.

I looked at heroic sculptures as inspiration for this scene. Since the play takes place during the war of the roses, it made sense to include a huge red and white rose. The vertical blue background implies a misty forest.

Orlando Shakes continues the exciting saga of Shakespeare’s Henry VI trilogy! A love triangle, a plot to murder, and a rebellion are all part of this thrilling tale – centered on the Wars of the Roses! In this raw, “Bare Bard / Original Practices” production, Orlando Shakes’ actors will perform the play with less than 40 hours of rehearsal, no designers, and no director – just like the acting companies of Shakespeare’s time!

Henry V Part 2: The She Wolf of France ruins January 8 -19, 2025. Tickets are Pay What You Will, between $15 and $50.

A Christmas Carol: Final Poster

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For the final version of A Christmas Carol poster, for the Orlando Shakes,  the title had to be larger. that meant slipping the paint lover thus removing the floor in the scene.

Instead of the detailed room setting I added a shimmering red glow to the background. This was an abstract element to keep visual interest behind the title and credits. The focus of the scene is the torch flame and the background helped make that very clear.

I am surprised the old English cursive credits made it to the final poster. I remember being told at one point that people in this digital age have trouble reading cursive writing. It would be a shame to only use bold block lettering for fear that the digital mind can not comprehend the more flamboyant cursive style. Charles Dickens hand writing was definitely cursive and rather messy. I am a fan of leaving some of the messiness of the creative process. I always feel the need to see the imperfect touch of the human hand.

Merry Christmas one and all.

A Christmas Carol: Poster 2nd Pass

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The second pass at A Christmas Carol poster involved zooming in a bit for a medium close up shot. Two children were removed and I gave Tiny Tim his crutch back. With the crutch raised over his head however it seemed to dominate the scene.

I liked the glowing lights in the background and would have liked adding snow to the street. In general it was working but something was missing. Perhaps it was too dark.

I decided to press on and work on a completely new scene to give options. I could have pushed this forward and resolved anything that was making me uncomfortable. The next rendition however had pure brightness and a sense of glowing celebration. That ultimately is what was needed.

 

 

A Christmas Carol: First Rough Sketch

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This rough sketch was an attempt to create a poster similar to the one I had done the first year but with the actual cast from a Shakespeare Theater production.

It was decided that we really didn’t need to see all the cast from a distance.  Seeing the feet on the ground wasn’t needed. I had neglected to draw Tiny Tim’s crutch which would make him difficult to identify. I had to decided weather to hide it in the lower hand or thrust it up in the air with the raised hand. It was also decided that the two extra siblings were not needed for the poster.

The time I did not put into painting the figures, I had put into refining the title for the poster. The new title treatment was accepted as is. My placement of the Charles Dickens and adopted by credits was a bit sloppy but I would give that placement much more though as I refined the poster image.

This rough sketch was enough to send me in a new direction which I would push much further along. I knew the the illuminated

A Christmas Carol is running at the Shakes through December 22, 2024. General Admission tickets are $25. The show is in the Margeson Theater at the Orlando Shakes, 812 E Rollins St Orlando, FL 32803.

A Christmas Carol: First Ad Seen

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It is always fun to see the first ads that appear for shows that are coming up. When I design the poster I supply all the different elements as separate layers so that different sizes can be accommodated. I design the poster vertical but then do a second version that is horizontal. This square ad lives somewhere between those options. Brianna Bell the web and graphic designer does such a good job making design adjustments for all uses. She even produced cool video animations that help bring the poster and the show to life.

I have designed A Christmas Carol poster each year I have been painting these images. One year the poster from the previous year was reused but I also did several variations that were not used. This poster used elements from previous unused posters to come up wit a new images for the show. A Christmas Carol has plenty of darker imagery which attracts my aesthetic, but it is the images that express some joy of the season which make the grade and get used.

The annual tradition continues at Orlando Shakes with the return of one of Central Florida’s favorite holiday classics! The miserly and miserable Ebenezer Scrooge greets each Christmas with a “bah humbug,” until he is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Come see this classic, heartwarming story at Orlando Shakes – a magical and musical spectacle for the whole family!

A Christmas Carol runs through December 22, 2024. Tickets are between $25 and $47. there are special deals for Military and students.

Macbeth Final

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The final version of the poster had MACBETH surrounded by a cast wearing black stocking masks as they lay their hands on the king. The hands on each side of his head imply that the crown had just been placed. it is a bit akimbo feeling not quite set in place yet.

Since the Shakes is under renovation, very few people drive to the theater and therefor they do not see the large posters hanging in front of the theater. I am not sure when plays will once again be stages in the theater.

This production of Macbeth is being staged at Fringe Art Space in downtown Orlando. The cast are UCF masters degree students.  Tickets.

NOVEMBER 1 & 2, 2024

Where: Fringe ArtSpace

54 W Church St Suite 201, Orlando, FL 32801

When:

November 1:

  • Evening: 7:30 – 8:50 PM

November 2:

  • Matinee: 2:00 – 3:20 PM
  • Evening: 7:30 – 8:50 PM

What the Constitution Means to Me

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I sketched a dress rehearsal for What the Constitution Means to Me, by Heidi Schreck is being presented by the Orlando Shakes at the Orlando Family Theater. Becky Baird dominated in the lead roll. The play rolls back the years to when Heidi was 16 years old an presented speeches about the Constitution at American Legion halls for cash prizes. She earned her college tuition this way.

There is a joyous excitement in her presentation about this document which she loves. yet during the presentation emotions start to run deep as she recalls her family history of a grandmother being sold to a outdoors man in Washington State. There is clear evidence of generational trauma throughout her family history. The constitution was written by the founders for the founders, in other words wealth white property owning men. Women never factored into the equation.

I loved what the actors broke the 4th wall towards the end of the play, breaking character and speaking to the audience as themselves. The Legionnaire who I assumed was rather conservative was actually a very liberal and open minded actor named John Voigt. A debate was held with an energetic high school debater. he debaters were played by Daisy Spann, and Tatriana Hinds. Each brought a unique energy to the roll. They  each argued their points on weather the constitution should be abolished or amended. Though the Constitution is very old and rather outdated, the youthful debate inspires hope for the future. With presidential elections only month away this play takes the audience on an inspired journey through what makes us all American and how we need to work hard to make democracy work for us all.

The play runs through October 13, 2024. If you only see one play this year, this should be it. Get your tickets now.

 

What the Constitution Means to Me: Final

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The final version of the poster for What the Constitution Means to Me has the actress much larger. There was an earlier version of this that had that looked too much like Heidi Schreck,

Altering the face and making her look much younger was actually quite fun. The paint itself was moved and morphed to fit the new drawing that I created for her face. I was surprised at how fast 20 years could be dropped.

The book cover was designed to match what an actual printed constitution looks like. Audience Members will each get a copy of the constitution to take home at each performance.

This really is a show that you should not miss. It will have you laughing out loud and also rethinking just what the founding fathers had in mind when they crafted this document. Presented by the Orlando Shakes, the show runs from October 2-13, 2024 at the Edyth Bush Theater at Orlando Family Stage, 1001 East Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803. Get your tickets now.

Poster Evolution: Christmas Carol 2

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Strange that the Photoshop crop tool stopped working this morning. I use that tool every day of the week but now it is no longer an option. Adobe products sure are glitchy.

For the second pass at the Christmas Carol poster, I decided that Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past could dance but they would be ethereal and invisible to the others dancing. Just because you cant be seen doesn’t mean you cant celebrate.

To make them stand out from the crowd I painted them blue with a glowing aura.

The only change that still needed to be added was to replace the Ghost of Christmas past with the actual actress that might play the roll. One aspect of the poster that most probably don’t realize is that the couple behind Scrooge and the ghost as the young Scrooge and his lovely girlfriend.

Christmas Carol is playing at the Shakespeare Center through December 24, 2023.

Poster Evolution: Christmas Carol 1

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Last year the Orlando Shakes reused the Christmas Carol poster I had created the year prior. That decision makes perfect sense since people are used to the image and might want to return to see the show again with the whole family. The image for that poster had Scrooge holding up Tiny Tim among a cheering crowd. The positive image resonated.

The decision was made to create a new poster image with the same positive energy. The other scene in the play that is the most vibrant is the dance scene with the Fezziwigs. As I remember the scene, Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past observe the dancing from a distance. I decided that for this poster Scrooge would need to dance. In this image he is dancing with Mrs. Fezziwig. Granted this might not happen in the play, but it was the positive vibe that we were looking for.

As often happens with the posters, the issue becomes and uncertainty of who might be playing the role. Jim Helsinger suspected however that the actress who played Christmas past would be returning to the show. We decided to put her in place of Mrs Fezziwig.

With this first pass of the poster I was the most pleased with the golden treatment I did for the title. Christmas Carol runs through December 24, 2023.