HEDCUTS

Goodbye Hitch!

2011-12-16T11:52:00.003-05:00

Christopher Hitchens
1949 – 2011
English author and journalist, a columnist and literary critic, top public intellectual, atheist ... Hitchens was all that and much more. Someone who I deeply admired.
This hedcut was done for the Wall Street Journal in 2007.

MATISYAHUdid this to you?!

2011-12-13T18:29:00.004-05:00

As Jewish reggae star Matisyahu shocks fans with his new look, I remember how much fun I had drawing his likeness for the TV promos of MTV's "Define Yourself" series.

Then:

Now:

Photo taken from https://twitter.com/#!/matisyahu

Thank you, Steve!

2011-10-06T12:09:00.005-04:00

Steve Jobs at D8 Conference and my hedcut drawing used in the background. I lost count of how many times I drew Steve's portrait. This was the last one. More pictures from D8 conference here: http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2010/06/hedcuts-at-d8-conference.html

Will Durst Top Political Satirist

2011-07-02T12:03:00.003-04:00

CD cover illustration for funnyman Will Durst. Check out his website for some laughs!

Will Durst

Brandon Hornsby, Esq.

2011-06-13T12:38:00.004-04:00

Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Brandon Hornsby
www.hornsbylaw.com

Random hedcuts: Light and shadow

2011-06-09T17:48:00.004-04:00

Random hedcuts of the day, 6/2/11

2011-06-02T13:36:00.007-04:00

James Stewart

Edgar Allan Poe

Morgan Freeman

Robert Novak

Random hedcuts of the day, 5/26/11

2011-05-26T18:28:00.007-04:00

"Top of the Hill" brews illustrations

2011-03-09T11:48:00.003-05:00

Years after I completed some illustrations for "Top Of The Hill" brewery and restaurant's beer logos, I finally come across some images of the final product. I don't even know if they still make this beer, but I never got the chance to see the final product. I think they look pretty nifty, ... if I may say so!

Nutro Natural Choice pet food packaging illustrations

2011-03-07T12:02:00.004-05:00

These are the latest two illustrations I made for the Nutro pet food company. Check them out at a pet store near you.

Kelly Ripa Hedcut

2011-03-03T14:30:00.002-05:00

My hedcut drawing of Kelly Ripa, presented to her as a gift from a WSJ reporter. She showed it off and talked about it on air, 1/25/2011.

HEDCUTS at the D8 Conference

2010-06-10T20:26:00.006-04:00

A wonderful use of hedcuts at the D8 Conference, held earlier this month in California. From the program booklet and the website, to the large screen displays throughout the conference.
Read and see more at: http://photos.allthingsd.com/
All photos: Asa Mathat/AllThingsD.com

Steve Jobs

From top, l to r:
Rupert Murdoch, Less Hinton, Steve Jobs, Steve Jobs, Vivian Schiller, Steve Chase, Steve Bellmer and Ray Ozzie, Paul Steiger and Richard Rosenblatt

Hedcuts in color

2010-06-02T21:36:00.005-04:00

A brand new section in the Wall Street Journal called Greater New York, launched a new era for hedcuts: color!
Prefer the b&w version? Not to worry. They continue to appear in the rest of the paper.
So, how about them apples?!

Hedcuts recognized

2010-03-19T14:12:00.006-04:00

Click to read and see a video: A History of Wall Street Journal Hedcuts
Article by Brian Aguilar.

My colleagues and I are humbled and honored for this nice article about the hedcut art in today's online edition of the WSJ. Recognizing our hard work and efforts is more than appreciated. Thank you all!

Coco (&) nut?

2010-02-10T17:01:00.002-05:00

Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno.
Two of the latest celeb hedcuts.

COLLECT THEM ALL

2009-12-23T15:02:00.005-05:00

Wall Street Journal Store, featuring framed stipple portraits!

Royally Fooled

2009-10-27T11:23:00.006-04:00

In a recent Sotheby's Contemporary Art Auction, this Cano wax (on the right) sold for above the anticipated price. The catalogue quotes a line from an Architectural Digest article about Cano:

"In a moment where nearly no artist draws, Cano turns this discipline into the sign of identity of his work: black outline on white background. With ink on paper or with encaustic on canvas, his
craftsmanship is impeccable and the effects spectacular."
(Cristina Giménez, 'José-María Cano', in: Architectural Digest, no. 39, Madrid, September 2009, p. 152)

Ms. Giménez clearly did not do her research. I could easily draw it out for her. ;-)

The Nine Plus Two

2009-10-19T19:07:00.002-04:00

The Nine Plus Two

Sent to me by a Supreme Court Correspondent, whose cubicle was featured in Time's White House Photo Blog. Appearantly, hedcuts are appreciated in their small size too!

FROM BOO HOO TO BROUHAHA

2009-10-18T15:36:00.003-04:00

(Related to this post http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/jose-maria-cano-is-con-artist-he-uses.html )

A wild ride to say the least.
I don't know what if anything will come out of this case, or if we'll ever hear from Mr. Cano himself, but I'm glad I raised the question and exposed yet another form of artistic manipulation. In fine art world, you might say it's nothing new, but it's a unique case taking in consideration all aspects and players.
Again, I have no legal claim to my artwork in this case, but I DO hold the moral ownership, which is why I'm talking about it. I'm absolutely humbled by how many of you are able to view this from my perspective and I thank you very much for your emails and comments. Looks like I made some valuable friendships out of this whole thing, and that makes me a winner already!

The naysayers don't phase me a bit. My art speaks for itself, end of story. I make a decent living because I take great satisfaction in what I do and never for a moment have I taken my job for granted. I've been perfecting my own style within the technique, for over 20 years. I regularly have more work than I can handle and my numerous clients can attest to that so no, I don't need more publicity. But, the point in this case is not whether you like me as a person or not, or whether you like my drawings or not. If that's all you're going to talk about, you're completely missing the point. And, the point is:

How closely does Mr. Cano's Obama resemble an illustration of mine?

He has cleverly made "series" of these paintings which he displays as a group in his solo exhibitions, like the one named "The Wall Street 100" (Funny, how all of you who claim that he credited the Journal in the title, failed to notice that the title has no "Journal" in it!!) there are series named "Welcome to Capitalism", "China Ten" etc. Now take one of the pieces out of this context, and place it in a group PORTRAIT show, for example:
http://www.21cmuseum.org/museum/exhibits/identity-street.aspx
I find this particularly upsetting.

Once more, I'm getting nothing out of this affair, especially not money, but would you like to know how much these pieces are going for? Check this tidbit out. It involves another of my drawings, that of Queen Elizabeth II
http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=33971
http://oneartworld.com/artists/J/Jos_E9-mar_EDa+Cano.html

As one commentator pointed out, the fact that many of you are so divided on this issue, just proves there could be some wrongdoing involved. Too bad we might never find out.

"HOT WAX REMIX"

2009-10-16T00:24:00.005-04:00

(Related to this post http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/jose-maria-cano-is-con-artist-he-uses.html )

"HOT WAX REMIX"
Credit: commentator "Paul said"

I loved that line so much I copied it, converted it to all caps and made it onto a title!

But seriously...

I need to reiterate a few things which may answer majority of your questions:
I will not sue because I can not sue.

My 5 colleagues and I are staff illustrators at the Wall Street Journal. The hedcut drawings we produce are hand drawn, pen and ink, spot illustrations, using a meticulous and laborious technique closely resembling old fashioned engravings. We base our drawings on photographic reference material, to which the Journal purchases usage rights. The paper owns the license and the copyright to all of our illustrations. Any decisions on legal action in this particular case, are solely theirs to make. For any inquires about Journal's affairs, you need to contact the paper directly. I will not comment on that any further.

However, I do want to participate in this conversation and answer more of your questions, so please don't think I'm ignoring the comment section. ( I have to make a living, you know. Dot by dot). I am intrigued by so many of your points, I wish I could be able to pursue this matter legally, although unfortunately, all signs point to what would turn out to be an unsatisfactory outcome for me. Now we are suddenly reduced to having poetic arguments about the ethics and the integrity of artists, but valid points can surely be made in my favor.

In reference to the Warhol argument. He has defined his artistic interpretation that refutes the legal term "substantial similarity". It's also known that Warhol came to terms with several of parties in question over this issue.
I want to bring up the case of Rogers v. Koons which sets precedent of substantial similarity. The element of size and media used bears no weight in the argument of copyright infringement. Koons lost his argument that the sculpture was a parody of Roger's photograph and of no substantial similarity. This decision, ruled in 2005 would prove difficult for many of Lichtenstein's earliest works, providing the copyright would have been executed by the party in question.
The art of appropriation seems to have no bearing if the artist can prove substantial similarity.

I appreciate all your great comments and input.

And to answer "Hayden" who asks: "His technique is amazing .. (I wonder if you've actually seen one of the works in the flesh)"
Hayden, I'd love to see the Obama wax! I'm sure it's impressive, but I'm afraid I'd find myself looking at my own drawing. Just bigger.

UPDATE 3: http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/from-boo-hoo-to-brouhaha.html

UPDATE ON MY "CON EXPO" TIRADE

2009-10-14T15:06:00.008-04:00

(Related to this post http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/jose-maria-cano-is-con-artist-he-uses.html )

No juicy developments to report on sorry, but thank you for all your comments and a lively and informative conversation. I can't possibly reply to all, but I'll do my best to cover all major issues you brought up.

Reading your comments, I'm convinced now even more that this issue is very unique in terms of legalities. Valid points could be made by both sides, but I think only a in a court of law can it really be clarified. I don't even know what to call it, so you're right ... I shouldn't be using terms I can't prove are correct.

All I know is this: I see a drawing which I made, copied and displayed as somebody else's art. It's not a small part of a painting ... it makes up the whole painting! Does it matter how he copied it? How large it is? He painstakingly recreated it dot by dot. It's not easy to "just get over it" so excuse me for expressing my displeasure. If this issue can simply be boiled down to an uninformed illustrator's whining, I doubt it would have crated such a long debate.
I have nothing to gain from this. I'm merely exposing the practice.

About the process I use to make my art:

Of course my drawings are based on photos! What is the point of even bringing this up? I make spot illustrations not fine art. My assignment is to create a close likeness of a subject based on a photo using a specific pointillist technique for an article in a daily newspaper. I am creating a completely unique piece of art and you could never mistaken it for a photo it's based on. And yes, of course the Journal has permissions for these photos. It's childish to even question that!

In any case, a commentator by the name of XenonOfActicus summed it up very eloquently (much better than I can) and it reflects exactly how I feel about this:

"Yes, your WSJ stipple work was a translation of an existing image (photo) into a new medium. The difference here is that you:
(presumably) had permission from the copyright-owner to use that image
made some substantial transformative visual changes to the image.

Whereas Jose:
Did not (presumably) have permission from the copyright owner (WSJ) or Noli (the artist) to use the image.
Despite changing the medium into a more difficult one (wax) did not contribute any transformative change.

In addition, by not providing any credit to the original artist, Jose implicitly allows viewers to think he may be the artist responsible for the stipple stylization.

Don't let criticism from dorks get you down. Even if you weren't the photographer, even if you don't own the copyright to your work-for-hire for the WSJ, your intellectual property rights are being disresepcted and should be honored properly.

For those who would cite Warhol and Campbells, one could argue that nobody could have mistakenly assumed Warhol designed the soup can. That is not the case here. Clearly a number of people have been mistaken that Jose was the artist behind the stipple-style transformation."
Thanks Xenon! ;-)

If you want to know more about hedcuts, how they're done, what's involved, how it started and evolved throughout the years, or just to ask any question, you can join our hedcut forum at http://sec.online.wsj.com/community/groups/wsj-stippledot-drawingshedcuts-571/topics/.

How different are they?

UPDATE 2: http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/hot-wax-remix.html
UPDATE 3: http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/from-boo-hoo-to-brouhaha.html

JOSE MARIA CANO, WHAT EXACTLY IS HE DOING?

2009-10-13T17:20:00.022-04:00

I want to expose a bold case of plagiarism (?). It's big not just by the amount of used art, but by the amount of recognition, praise and ka-ching this artist seems to be getting! We are talking major art galleries around the world, museums and auction houses. (This is the FINE ART world we're talking about here, baby!)
And, what does he do?
He cuts out portraits from papers, blows them up and painstakingly recreates them in wax paraffin ... dot by dot. He's flying under the cover of "newspaper clipping" appropriation, but does that apply in this case? I say no way Jose!

This is my stipple portrait of Barack Obama

Mine:

His:

Photo: Leslie Guttman

You can clearly see he is getting credited as the author of these portraits.

This is me in my studio holding the original drawing. On my desk are a few of other illustrations I made (all for the Wall Street Journal) also used ("appropriated") by Jose Maria Cano!

Now, here's something I found especially appalling.
Please check out this link:

http://www.doxprague.org/en/exhibition?10/about

It reads:
"Meeting with Vaclav Havel was the last point of Barack Obama's Prague visit. During this private meeting, Vaclav Havel presented American President Barack Obama - a portrait of the president by the Spanish artist José-María Cano.
"José-María Cano generously offered this painting to Vaclav Havel as a gift for Barack Obama", said Leos Valka, director of DOX, Centre for Contemporary art in Holesovice, Prague. The painting will be exhibited at the Centre from Thursday, April 9. until April 27, 2009. After that, the painting, measuring 210 x 149,5 cm, will travel to the White House. The portrait is created using the encaustic technique of painting with hot wax.
After viewing the exhibition Welcome to Capitalism!, which was on view at DOX Centre from last October to February this year, Vaclav Havel was enthusiastic about the Spanish artist's works. Therefore, DOX Centre's director, Leoš Válka offered President Vaclav Havel the option of presenting President Barack Obama with the portrait and Havel welcomed the idea."

This means a copy of a drawing I made was given as a gift to Vaclav Havel who then re-gifted it for president Obama?! And it's now hanging in the White House?! You can bet your knickers I will do my damndest to let the President know he was scammed by the Spaniards and the Czechs! ;-)))

All joking aside (yes, that up there is a bunch of winks, people!), this is no laughing matter and I invite all my friends, all you fellow bloggers, artists and anybody who's concerned about protection of artists' work, to please pass this post along.

Oh, and there's more:
http://www.riflemaker.org/s-next
He's having a solo show at the Riflemaker Gallery in London on November 9th, by the name "The Wall Street 100"! And yes ... you guessed it: he is "using" 100 of our drawings!

His website:
http://www.josemariacano.net/
Press:
http://www.riflemaker.org/s-Cano_Architectural_Digest-09-09

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check latest posts. (I'm somewhat calmer now)
UPDATE 1: http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/update-on-my-con-expo-tirade.html
UPDATE 2: http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/hot-wax-remix.html
UPDATE 3: http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/from-boo-hoo-to-brouhaha.html

To the Spanish and the Czechs ... I was totally joking! I thought that was clear, but since a few took offence, I apologize.

THE INFORMANT

2009-09-18T17:48:00.002-04:00

Matt Damon in "The Informant"

Walter Cronkite

2009-07-18T17:52:00.003-04:00

And, what is my Walter Cronkite story?
It has nothing to do with assassinations, wars or the lunar landings.

Upon coming to the States, I was pleasantly surprised to find out I could still watch the Vienna New Year's Concert every January 1st., something that has become a New Year's tradition all over Europe. In the States it's shown on PBS, and Walter Cronkite hosted it from 1985 - 2007. I spent many groggy 1st of the years' with the Strausses and Walter!

Josip Broz Tito

2009-07-10T10:58:00.003-04:00

From the archives.
No particular reason for posting this, but going through my drawing archives it brought back memories of growing up in Tito's communist Yugoslavia. As a school child, I drew him many times and one of my collages was even presented to him as my school's gift during one of his birthday celebrations. Ironically, years later I get to draw him for the American "voice of capitalism", The Wall Street Journal! ;-))

North Florida Landmarks

2009-07-02T12:23:00.008-04:00

The following drawings were done for a 2007 ad campaign by a cool Jacksonville ad agency Robin Shepherd Group.
(Click each image for detail)

Jacksonville Skyline

St. Augustine Lighthouse

Jacksonville Beach Pier

Treaty Oak

Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T12:56:00.003-04:00

How does the WSJ portray people?

2009-06-15T12:57:00.003-04:00

Contrary to some blogs suggesting that The Wall Street Journal portrays certain personalities in an unflattering light, there is only one requirement given to us, hedcut illustrators and that is to produce a drawing which is a true representation of the reference image we're given. In other words, to draw as close to the photo as possible.

Those who supply us with images (like the photo department, or the reporters) also have only one requirement, and that is to obtain the LATEST image for a reference. Never in my 22 years as a staff artist have I been told to "push" someone's likeness in one way or the other.

I know it's important NOT to overemphasize certain details (wrinkles, double chins), and to ignore the unimportant ones (tiny moles, flyaway hair), but I also know that some photos make lousy reference material. For example, a photo of a person talking or caught in a middle of a sentence (press conference, speeches, etc), often ends up looking strange or grimacing in a drawing, so at the Journal, we try to stay away from such images, but if no other photos are available, we try to pick the most flattering one.

Sometimes, a subject request that we draw from a picture they picked themselves (like their official press photo) but quite frankly, I prefer to draw from candid shots. Studio photographers like to use "creative lighting" and aggressive digital processing resulting in an unnatural and plastic expressions. Just look at the Hillary Clinton image on the right. It was a very nice, posed photo, but I prefer the drawing on the left, done from a candid shot.

Another fact worth mentioning is that at the Journal, we try very hard to keep up with all the important appearance alterations, such as hairdo and facial hair changes, lost or gained weight etc., (Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs).

With all of this said, quality of every drawing inevitably depends on the artist's unique interpretation, quality of the reference material and the time frame allocated (3-5 hours on average). Some drawings are more successful then others, but I have to tell you .... in the morning when I'm starting the day's assignment, I have only one goal in mind: to create a masterpiece! I'm elated when I hit it right on the nail, but if I'm not so happy with the result, .... I simply blame it on the photo! ;-)

WEIRD ANIMAL HEDCUTS

2009-04-22T12:33:00.004-04:00

I enjoy drawing quirky subjects for the Wall Street Journal, like Denver Airport's creepy mustang sculpture and a funny, tongue wielding goat.

HEDCUTS IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES

2009-04-04T19:06:00.006-04:00

An exciting new way of using hedcuts inside The Wall Street Journal print edition and wsj.com
All columnists, regular contributors and bloggers get their hedcut done. We unofficially call these "mini hedcuts".

INTERVIEW

2009-03-25T11:16:00.006-04:00

ATLANTA ARTIST EXAMINER
Interview with Noli Novak

By Darla Dixon

MORE OBAMA

2009-03-20T13:20:00.003-04:00

I think the latest Wall Street Journal online ads, are absolutely fantastic! The use of my Obama hedcut is just right. I think they look best at this size when used online, because the technique is nicely visible. Good job, guys!

OBAMA AGAIN!

2009-03-03T12:29:00.011-05:00

This time for Kids Discover Magazine's special Presidential poster. Seeing my work amongst old master engravers' is ... priceless.

COLOR

2008-12-29T12:13:00.011-05:00

I consider my stipple portraits to be realistic interpretations of a photo, and since all details and tones are included in the drawing, adding color is not necessary. The process turns a nice, b&w portrait into a muddy, brown mess and to tell you the truth, looking at some color stipple drawings out there, I haven't seen a good one yet.
But, since I get asked to do this more and more frequently, I have been experimenting quite a lot.
My answer is a more graphic looking portrait, with the black layer behind the color rather than on top. I also have an easy control over the color, to get it exactly to the client's liking.
Here are a few versions on Barack Obama drawing I did for the Wall Street Journal special use.

WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT ... ?!

2008-11-13T14:00:00.007-05:00

Hedcut
Stipple Portraits
Hedcut Pen and Ink Drawings
Stipple Portrait Illustration
Dot Portraits
WSJ Illustrations
Wall Street Journal Style drawings
Wall Street Journal portrait
Stipple Dot and Hedcut Drawing
WSJ artwork

And various versions of the following:
wall street journal headcut
wall street journal portrait
wall street journal photos
wsj pointillism
wsj line art
stippling art
wsj hedcut
wsj engravings
wall street journal style portrait
wall street journal illustration
wall street journal portrait

PALAZZO DARIO

2006-11-03T21:58:00.004-05:00

This is an older drawing of mine. I have changed my technique considerably since then (including the materials I use). I still like the drawing. Old building, Venice ... ahh! Made for the Wall Street Journal.
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DOG

2006-11-03T20:52:00.002-05:00

This is one of the drawings I did for the Nutro line of pet food. You can still see some of them on bags and cans of food in the pet stores.
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HEART

2006-11-03T20:46:00.003-05:00

For the Wall Street Journal.
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JORDAN

2006-11-03T10:30:00.004-05:00

This portrait is drawn in a somewhat different style. More linear, less dots, more like an engraving or scratch board. In reality ... harder to do (for me) than my usual technique.
Client: The New York Times Magazine.

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