August 4, 2014
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Impression of parc Médéric-Martin
By Jack Ruttan in montreal, paintings, parks, sketches, watercolor, watercolour
July 31, 2014
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1940s Canadian Gas Ration Coupons
By Jack Ruttan in ruttan's place
Something interesting I found, going through my files looking at old cartoons the other night. An envelope full of old gas ration coupons from my Great Grandpa’s business in Hardisty, Alberta. I don’t think I have the stickers that were supposed to go in the windshield, but all the other items, plus the old stamps, are amazing. I’ve linked to a photo set showing everything. Hope that’s good.
July 31, 2014
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Fritz the Hobbit
By Jack Ruttan in black and white, comics, old comicsA twitter exchange with a University of Calgary alumnus reminded me of this comic I did way back in 1979, for the University of Calgary GAUNTLET. Unhappily, I couldn’t find the first episode in my files, so this is all I’ve got. The narrative is already a little shakey, because I think installments came out only occasionally, over a number of months. Also, I left some words out, plus there was some strange layout made by actually cutting up a page (*gasp!*) and spreading it over a page. Did Jack Kirby or Bill Watterston ever have to worry about this?
I’m amazed at all the space the editors of the Gauntlet gave me. One of these comics covers an entire broadsheet newspaper page! It would have been kind of a pain in the neck to scan, so I hope you can enlarge these snapshots.
The calligraphy was kind of cool. I made Sam a girl, which confused some people, but was more fun to draw.
Obviously it’s inspired by the “Fritz the Cat” comics of R. Crumb, but actually has more to do with the movie version of Lord of the Rings released by Ralph Bakshi around that time.
Lots of the humour was inspired by the movie “Animal House,” and I note some references to the situation in the MidEast, which doesn’t ever seem to change.
There are so many old cartoons in those files. Makes me feel downright prolific. Much more fun seeing it come out in a newspaper, rather than simply going up on the web.
Going through my files was like getting reacquainted with a person I knew, but hadn’t seen in a while. Many cartoons, some of them embarassingly crudely drawn, sometimes offensive, but on the whole they were funny. I may put up some more, if anyone cares.
July 31, 2014
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Lachine Canal
By Jack Ruttan in montreal, paintings, watercolor, watercolour
This wasn’t working as a painting, so I decided to see if I could put little people along the front of it. That didn’t work perfectly, either: some “pentimenti” here — that’s because it’s transparent watercolour, except for the white.
Still, fun to try, and I’m not so annoyed with it anymore.
July 28, 2014
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Nora the Tuxling
By Jack Ruttan in cats, color, Nora the cat, paintings, sketches, watercolor, watercolour
July 25, 2014
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Inspired by George Stubbs
By Jack Ruttan in dogs, horses, sketches, watercolor
George Stubbs is one of my favourite painters. Not just because of his horses and dogs, (though those are great, too), but his wonderful, very sober, 18th-century people.
June 25, 2014
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Computer-Painted Characters
By Jack Ruttan in color, digital, heads, men, paintings, women
My computer-painted characters are quicker and more satisfying to draw. I had to reach back into my experience mixing acrylic paints to think of the right kinds of shadows. Still, I feel more confident that I can paint in a pleasant way any subject that occurs to me. Backgrounds and bodies soon to come.
June 22, 2014
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It’s Everyone’s Prehistoric Pal
By Jack Ruttan in dinosaurs, watercolor, watercolour
This is eryops. He’s everyone’s prehistoric pal.
June 19, 2014
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Morning Paintings
By Jack Ruttan in color, paintings, sketches, watercolor, watercolour
Morning paintings, on my deck.
I’m aware that one of the cars is on the sidewalk, but I didn’t plan this one very well. Still, I like it.
June 13, 2014
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Cool Colours
By Jack Ruttan in color, digital, heads
Trying to do shadows, contrasts, in a different colour palette. Still a ways to go, but I’m happier with some aspects. Seems to take a lot of practice.
June 4, 2014
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Backyard Sketches
By Jack Ruttan in black and white, brush pen, color, sketches, watercolor, watercolour
These are sketches from the backyard garden of my cherished friend. Above is a gingko tree, though it’s hard to tell.
Below, a hair in the scanner, darn it. But I’m too lazy to erase it.
The spindly-looking thing is a catalpa tree, which apparently takes a while to “leaf out.”
I was using Asian brushes, and flatter myself that these have a far East feel to them. The brush makes the bones, and the chi should keep flowing!
June 4, 2014
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More Paintings in Parks
By Jack Ruttan in montreal, paintings, parks, watercolor, watercolourParc des Faubourgs. I painted this from the steps of the Latin American Church across the street (rue Ontario). That’s my bike on the right.
Square Viger. Called “Square” in both English and French (not “Carré”) This is an odd little place, full of sculpture, but which has a bed reputation, because it’s isolated and walled in. The city keeps threatening to do something with it. The little men in orange are construction workers passing through.
It’s always interesting doing these drawings because you sit quietly in a place for a little while. Things happen and pass by that you wouldn’t notice, even on foot.
May 24, 2014
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Intense faces and others
By Jack Ruttan in digital, heads, paintings
One nice thing about drawing on the computer is that you can rework things infinitely. Squish ’em up, stretch them, repaint seamlessly, etc. These two drawings were absolute messes, but I’m sort of happy with them now. Still a ways to go in technique.
