The Beauty of Pinup and Commercial Art

This is a blog about men and women as seen throughout the history of advertising and pinup art. Art has always reflected the distinct diversity and beauty of both sexes respectively. Just as there is a moon, there is a sun, a night and day, cold and hot...male and female. It is the very sustenance of Nature.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Real Cute



Al Buell was the master who created the illustration above, appropriately titled, Real Cute. A mostly self-taught artist from Kansas, Al did many Coca-Cola ads. Rejected by the draft during World War II, he created many patriotic pinups which became popular. Al also contributed to the Gallery of Glamour for Esquire Magazine in 1946. In 1965 he retired from his commercial career and dedicated his art to landscapes and portraits until 1993 when he suffered an accident. Sadly, he died in a nursing home in 1996.

Although there is only one subject on this picture, a female, there is plenty of movement and energy dictated from the upper left side going down to the lower right, by the model's right knee. The way she keeps her right arm, with her elbow sticking out creates a triangle, while her sitting position, with legs curled in, create an opposite triangle. On these two "triangles" rest the balance of this beautiful picture. It also emphasizes her femininity by accentuating her curves. On the top middle section of the picture we see a happy, smiling radiant woman full of self-confidence. She's proud of herself and how she looks, and knows how to make the best of it. Conveniently holding a white flower on her left hand, brings our attention to her well-rounded breasts. She wants us to notice and look at her, yet she does so with a bit of mischief and class.

Finally, the red colored dress brings out a healthier, rosier looking skin tone which makes her more attractive. It brings warmth and passion. As a guy I want to just lift her into my arms. This is the kind of emotion I think Al was trying to create and I believe he succeeds.

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