PIN UP GIRL

[Music] creating a successful pinup means putting on canvas a dream girl who will appeal to countless people in all walks of life an outstanding success at this is the artist Russell Patterson getting the necessary appeal in this type of illustration demands a great deal of attention to detail the choice of a hat for instance becomes of great importance the angle at which it's worn the particular kind of that are carefully considered as we watch Russell Patterson make some sketches I'd like to remind you that the expression pinup first came into use during World War two illustrations such as this achieved such popularity that every major artist in America was asked for drawings to be sent overseas [Music] the pin-up girl found her way into some pretty strange places the wall of a Quonset hut in the Aleutians stuck to the flap of a tent in India into a coconut palm on an island in the South Pacific in other strange places far from home every pin-up girl was created only after a series of experiments such as these to find the right girl and present her in an appealing way that were pleased so many people is a tall order but it's pleasing work mr. Patterson not quite satisfied with his first attempt has decided to try a new approach first stop is a model agency here are listed all types of beautiful young women who have that rare combination of beauty charm and expressive personality but the question is which is the right one Russell Patterson never overlooks a possibility he asked her to pose and she says who me nobody was ever that surprised back in his studio Patterson is ready to try a new model brunette this time here lady try this [Music] now the problem is to get a good pose this requires a bit of patience on the part of both the artist and the model [Music] it's necessary of course to bring out the girl's best features get an interesting angle that will lend itself to a pleasing composition and also achieve a natural relaxed effect this is mostly a matter of trial and error different poses are tried and abandoned in an attempt to get one that will fulfill the requirements for a good illustration an experienced model can be of considerable help folding a pose without showing strain and getting across just the right expression requires Talent did you ever sit down and try to smile about nothing at all well it's not easy [Music] sometimes a successful illustration might combine the best features of several models at any rate it seems mr. Patterson is still trying to hit the right combination a popular pin-up girl must have more than a pretty face a good figure she's a personality and it's the artists job to interpret what he sees and use every possible means to bring out the qualities that make her a dream girl the style of dress it's material even the lighting effects are designed to create a mood or an atmosphere which will establish the type of pin-up girl he has in mind this is an important part of his work even before starting the illustration well if it isn't little who me from the model agency can't blame a girl for being a little excited to be picked by Russell Patterson as pin-up material is quite a break for an aspiring model [Music] the resulting attention and publicity might be the first step in making a new star for Hollywood a Broadway this girl doesn't seem to be the type at all but Russell's experience has taught him to disregard things like a hat or a pair of glasses when he's looking for a pin-up girl it's amazing how a woman can change her personality simply by rearranging her hair a bit [Music] the result in this case seems to justify mr. Patterson's good taste at any rate it looks like we're going to have a new mop [Music] now for a quick change into something more comfortable mr. Patterson has finally decided on a pose and is ready now to start his illustration [Music] preliminary sketches are usually made in charcoal it's preferable when working with watercolors to use a good grade of illustration border paper canvas is usually used for opaque mediums the figurin composition is carefully sketched in before working with colors it's interesting to notice how few Corrections Patterson makes as it goes along that sureness of touch is the result of years spent experimenting and constantly changing methods of approach technique and drawing habits the result is a basic style a way of interpretation and rendition the knowledge gained over a period of time makes illustration look very simple indeed we're ready now to block in the main color areas it's a trick tool a wash so that it has a smooth even texture something that some illustrators never quite master [Music] part of the secret is in mixing coloreds Patterson's deafness and skill and mixing clear on muddied colors is another ability to be acquired only after long practice [Music] shadow areas begin to develop the figure and give it form and dimensions these are not placed just anywhere careful fall has been given to general composition than the source of light is located to achieve the desired effect [Music] a few more touches and we're ready to write a signature that means another successful pinup [Music] the finished product miss pin up ready to make life happier for somebody wherever she goes [Music] that Quonset hut in the Aleutians we talked about earlier has long since been left behind but not the popular Pinot nowadays the surroundings might be a little less glamorous but the effect is still the same she occupies a position of Honor wherever she goes [Music] there aren't many places she doesn't go a college room would be incomplete without a pin-up girl sometimes she pops up in the strangest places as a rule pin-up girls appear by special request carefully selected put up with loving care looks like Russell Patterson has scored another success glad you met you miss pinup and lots of luck in your new career [Music]