More Famed Faces — Hedcut Portrait Illustrations

Hedcut Portrait Illustrations - Famous People of Business and Science

Here are a few more hedcut portrait illustrations. Stipple drawings in the distinctive Wall Street Journal ‘hedcut’ style that I pioneered many moons ago…A portrait of Madam C. J. Walker, The first female self-made millionaire in America. She made her fortune in cosmetics.Michael Ellis DeBakey, the famous heart surgeon. Dr. DeBakey originated many of the procedures and medical devices used today. (It was fun drawing the elaborate mask and cap in this illustration.)   Luther Burbank, the extraordinary Botanist. He was a leading man of his time, and developed over 800 new strains and varieties of plants.

Hedcut Portrait Illustrations - Famous Person of Politics and Justice

The Abolitionist and former Slave, Frederick Douglass. A dazzling orator, he argued unceasingly against slavery and spent his life promoting the idea of Equality, among black, female, Native American, and recent Immigrant. This portrait is successful, in part, due to the quality of the original photograph, by George Kendall Warren. They knew how to do lighting in those days!

Hedcut Portrait Illustrations - Famous People of the Military

 William ‘Buck” Travis, Lieutanant Colonel in the Texas Army, and Commander of the Alamo Garrison. He died, fighting to the end, during Santa Anna’s pre-dawn assault on the Mission. He lived up to his motto, “Victory or Death”.To finish up, something in a lighter vein! Staying with the uniformed theme of the previous image, here is the illustration of an Irish Commodore, in full regalia.I created this image recently for an Irish Yacht Club. This is a current person, not from the pages of history, as it might seem. It is a great example of how the hedcut portrait can be successfully treated with color. The artist who created the color for my b&w drawing is Sarah Jones. Great Job, Sarah!