Dean Cornwell
Cornwell is probably better known as a mural painter, an American version
of Frank Brangwyn. In fact he once rented a studio in London from Brangwyn.
His work was seen in the 1939 World's Fair (the General Motors Building),
and in Radio City, New York, among other sites. He also undertook masses
of advertising work and got particularly involved in imagery for the promotion
of War Bonds. His work is technically fascinating. In Watson's book on
Forty Illustrators (1946) he reveals that he makes a photostat of his
oil study for a piece and projects it on to the canvas (with an epidiascope)
to assist in drawing the major lines of the composition.
In 1946 Cornwell admitted to over a thousand illustrations, usually in
oil colour. He paid tribute to Howard Pyle who is largely credited with
introducing the illustration executed in oil colour - back in the days
when a colour illustration in a magazine was a rarity and often framed
by the reader.
 Cornwell's
working methods, from Byrnes, Complete Guide 1948
THREE
ADVERTISEMENTS FOR WYETH'S
in the PUBLIC DOMAIN
"An illustrator's task is to focus upon details, action, and effects
which are significant in a particular story. Cornwell finds a precise
pencil drawing, made on location, ten times more useful than a camera shot."
left "Southampton Docks", April 1947 for
the National City Bank of New York .18 x 26cms.
right War Bond advertisement by Cornwell, July 1944
beneath for Fisher Bodies (General Motors). 21 x 23 cms.
Cornwell's
murals for the Los Angeles Public Library (reflectoscope)
|
