Dave McKeanDave McKean

Macabre Artist

A presentation by Cole Krasner

Macabre Artist

A presentation by Cole Krasner

Vital StatisticsVital Statistics

Mckean was born in Maidenhead, England on December 29, 1963

MaleEnglishHe is now 47 years old

Mckean was born in Maidenhead, England on December 29, 1963

MaleEnglishHe is now 47 years old

Personal BackgroundPersonal Background

Went to an art university in the UK Failed at giving comic to major industry leaders Met Neil Gaiman and began to illustrate his books

and comics Broke off from Gaiman and began producing his

own art, playing off of Gaiman’s darker style After producing several art books and a graphic

novel, he began working on film additionally Has now a series of novels entitled Cages and has

produced a feature film called MirrorMask He plans to have more art an a new film to be

called Luna out soon

Went to an art university in the UK Failed at giving comic to major industry leaders Met Neil Gaiman and began to illustrate his books

and comics Broke off from Gaiman and began producing his

own art, playing off of Gaiman’s darker style After producing several art books and a graphic

novel, he began working on film additionally Has now a series of novels entitled Cages and has

produced a feature film called MirrorMask He plans to have more art an a new film to be

called Luna out soon

Key Historical EventsKey Historical Events

The creation of the home computer and photoshop in McKean’s life cause him to want to show the world that pictures that had color schemes or other effects could be done without the use of a computer

The creation of the home computer and photoshop in McKean’s life cause him to want to show the world that pictures that had color schemes or other effects could be done without the use of a computer

Influence on the Art World

Influence on the Art World

One of the first artists to combine various mediums such as having a combination of paint, chalk and pencil

Also came up with the idea of painting over photographs to create odd effects

One of the first artists to combine various mediums such as having a combination of paint, chalk and pencil

Also came up with the idea of painting over photographs to create odd effects

Stylistic TraitsStylistic Traits

Uses shadow to push the eye towards the focus of the image

Paints over images he has already made to create a feeling of layering or depth

Often uses a black and white or sepia tone in his pictures to make things seem old fashioned or creepier than they would normally be

Uses a common theme of warping human bodies

Often uses frames or other wall around the picture to push us out of “the picture’s world”

Uses shadow to push the eye towards the focus of the image

Paints over images he has already made to create a feeling of layering or depth

Often uses a black and white or sepia tone in his pictures to make things seem old fashioned or creepier than they would normally be

Uses a common theme of warping human bodies

Often uses frames or other wall around the picture to push us out of “the picture’s world”

Art Example: MothArt Example: Moth

He paints over his previous imagecontaining an arm to create the layered effect of the moths

Uses sepia to make the picture moreMysterious

The “frame” separates the observerfrom the painting

He paints over his previous imagecontaining an arm to create the layered effect of the moths

Uses sepia to make the picture moreMysterious

The “frame” separates the observerfrom the painting

Art Example: CoilArt Example: Coil

The separate layers make the facepop out of the rest of the image

The frame, again, splits the picturefrom us

The face shows the morphing ofpeople

The separate layers make the facepop out of the rest of the image

The frame, again, splits the picturefrom us

The face shows the morphing ofpeople

Art Example: StarsArt Example: Stars

The Face in the star shows The Face in the star shows morphing of the human bodymorphing of the human body

Uses darker tones in addition Uses darker tones in addition to black and whiteto black and white

Lighter, repainted central Lighter, repainted central design draws the eyedesign draws the eye

Original ArtOriginal Art

Dark Flower2010, Cole Krasner

Dark Flower2010, Cole Krasner

ConclusionConclusion

Doing this project, I have learned how difficult non-photoshopped art of McKean’s style really is. Both the very realistic painting style and the restriction of color contribute to this difficulty, as they force you to think about light and shadow much more.

Doing this project, I have learned how difficult non-photoshopped art of McKean’s style really is. Both the very realistic painting style and the restriction of color contribute to this difficulty, as they force you to think about light and shadow much more.

THANKS FOR LISTENING!

THANKS FOR LISTENING!

Any questions?Any questions?