Caricatures...Drawn from Life vs Photos

Kelsey Grammar as Frazier Crane for comparison.

Frazier Crane caricatured.

When I draw celebrities, it is easy to insert some of their TV or public personalities into a caricature.This doesn't take the place of  the live energy captured by drawing a sitter in person, but it does boost the imagination and make for a more lively drawing. [to be continued.]

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Uncle Sam Gets Smoked

A political satire on the tobacco industry which I created more than ten years ago. This the comp version which is digitally improved via a graphics tablet and photoshop.

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Lady Of Far End

This painting is unusual because the design was planned over a couple of days and the drawing was executed very quickly. It was originally a ninety minute demonstration in front of 30 or so people and was mostly completed during the session. Two years later I finished it in the studio. As a personal piece, it reflects my love for the freer physics of water-media as well as strong thematic ties to the Pre-Raphaelites such as John William Waterhouse and Sir Edward Burns-Jones.

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The Saw That Built America Mural_part 03

The three sets shown were completed in a week and presented in thematic pairs to the engineering group. I was glad to learn more about Robert Bosch's company and personal perspective.
Designing large scale mural projects to reflect company ethics and inspire Bosh, Skil and Dremel engineers was both an interesting and challenging project.
While diverse experience helps keep creativity outside the box, I have since  entered the field of my long time passion, comic books, character conception, and story-boarding; This blog is a good place to remember while looking forward to the future.

Bosch Skil and Dremel Logo ®

Original Mural Designs ©Tom Hicke.

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The Saw That Built America Mural_part 02

The overall theme for the new engineering room murals was innovation and inspiration. This required reading a 100 plus page book on the company’s history and founder before submitting designs. Research revealed Robert Bosch to be a extremely self-motivated and industrious electrical engineer with a unique humanitarian perspective. It is amazing that after all this time his vision is still carried on through his company.

These first two sketches highlight the scope, influence and impact of Mr. Bosch and his inventions and sum up his  company’s well deserved pride in their innovative founder. [To be continued next post].

Bosch Skil and Dremel Logo ®

Mural Designs ©Tom Hicke.

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The Saw That Built America Mural_part 01

These designs were created for Bosch Skil and Dremel, the power tool company. It’s parent company, founded in 1886 by the German engineering genius, Robert Bosch is the world’s largest automotive and industrial technology corporation.
After  a meeting with the head of the engineering department and a tour of the factory and offices, I was given free reign to start work on the designs and develop to the pitch. The visuals were to be largely based on the history of Robert Bosch’s and the well known Skil Power Saw. 

These first two sketches highlight the scope, influence and impact of Mr. Bosch and his inventions. [continued next post.]

Bosch Skil and Dremel Logo ®
Mural Designs ©Tom Hicke. 

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