Friday, September 7, 2012

Battle of the Centaurs



A powerful illustration by Heinrich Kley, watercolor and pen and ink over pencil, 21 x 40.8 cm.
Everything is perfection. The muted colors, only warm and cold washes, the lighting from the top, sensational motion, yet there is beautiful detail in the foreground figures.
Not much more to add here, just to say that Kley would have made a heck of an animator, and he could have been of great help to Fantasia's Pastoral sequence.

There is only one week left to see Kley originals up close at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. (This piece is not part of the exhibit.)


12 comments:

  1. WOW!!!...Really powerful!!Thanx for the update!

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  2. What a stunning angle! Deserves some dramatic symphony in the background. ';)

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  3. What a GREAT pose and angle on that centaur! And the overall movement in the piece is fantastic! Thanks for sharing this: super inspiring!

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  4. I think I have a new favourite Kley picture! I feel like there are some similarities between Kley's style and your own Andreas, have you ever thought of animating one of his pictures?

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    1. Yes, I have, Andy. I've been thinking about a simple story for an animated short film that would include some of his fantastical creatures. Hopefully a future project.
      I did do a wire sculpture inspired by one of Kley's sketches, it shows a rider falling off his horse. I intend to post a filmed turn around of it, even though it might be a little difficult because of it's size.

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    2. I'd be really interested to see your sculpture. Those sculptures are fascinating, I've been looking at some other artist's creations online too. I've never seen one in person though, I must rectify that one day.

      And of course a Kley-inspired film would be great!

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  5. Hello Andreas,

    Next time you come to Paris, go and visit Chantilly.
    I am sure you will love "La grande singerie". A fantastic place:
    http://www.editions-nicolaschaudun.com/detail/5/les-singeries-de-chantilly
    http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/europe/france/chantilly/grande-singerie/sphere-flash.html
    https://www.google.fr/search?q=singerie+chantilly&hl=fr&safe=off&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=PoNLUKavHMSAhQf5mYHICQ&ved=0CCEQsAQ&biw=896&bih=596

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  6. Wonderful!

    Kley's work will be collected in two new volumes that debut at the Small Press Expo next weekend. The second volume includes an essay I wrote, and showcases numerous color paintings and preparatory drawings by Kley. More info: http://www.picturethispress.com/the-lost-art-of-heinrich-kley-volumes-1-2/

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    1. Thanks for helping spread the word, Jesse. I actually sat down at lunch today and re-read Jesse's insightful essay on Kley. I'm really excited that I was able to include it in the collection. I'll post here again in the next few days when orders can placed for the books. Until then, feel free to check out the video book trailer for a taste of what you'll find in the books: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DPdI1F5MoM

      Thanks!

      --Joe procopio
      www.LostArtBooks.com

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  7. It's official: "THE LOST ART OF HEINRICH KLEY" Volumes 1 & 2 are now available for purchase exclusively at the publisher's site:

    http://www.picturethispress.com/the-lost-art-of-heinrich-kley-volumes-1-2/

    Hope you enjoy them!

    Joe

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  8. There is so much power in it! :)
    Thank you for posting! :)

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