In Black and White Day 4: Stencil Art as a Method of Propaganda

Stencil art could be considered black and white, at least that’s how it’s conceived and drawn up. But of course it gets mixed with whatever surface it’s placed on, whether it be a wall, a t-shirt, or whatever surface suits your taste.

I thought I’d take some time and join the numerous ranks that have created an Obama “CHANGE” artwork.

And then I wanted to give anyone who might like to try it out for themselves, either virtually (with Photoshop) or on a t-shirt, or…well you get the point. I’m giving you the stencil to do whatever you want with it.

Obama Change Stencil [PDF 324KB]

If you’ve never used a stencil before, it’s pretty basic.

1. Make a photo copy or trace the drawing onto a heavy card stock paper or cardboard
2. Cut the black area out with an X-acto knife (and just a secret I learned from my days in old-school graphic design cutting - use lots of blades)
3. Place the stencil above your surface choice
4. Spray
5. And if you’ve chosen public or private property, which is preferred for propaganda, then it’s best to remain anonymous and run

If you’re wanting to use this stencil in your own Photoshop artwork, then it’s probably best to use the EPS file (Obama Change Stencil.eps). I found that using the EPS file to create paths, and creating feathered selects is the easiest way to simulate the spray-paint effect.

History Lesson: Political Cartoonist Joseph Keppler (1838-1894)

The following is a quick and dirty history lesson on political cartoonist, Joseph Keppler (1838-1894). My goal with each history lesson is to expose my readers, as well as myself, to other political cartoonists that have gone before, and perhaps pique interest in their work. I am by no means an expert.

Joseph Keppler was born in Vienna in 1838 and emigrated to the United States in 1867 where he joined his father in Missouri. Having received his training in Vienna, he quickly found success in the US developing a weekly German publication, Puck. He would also develop an English version of this magazine a year later, but for a long time, the English version kept alive only from the profits of the German publication.

Joseph Keppler worked in a lithographic style, and perfected the process of developing highly refined drawings within this medium.

The following list of links provides additional information on Joseph Keppler.

• A great on-line resource of Keppler’s political cartoons
• A Lesson Plan for Incorporating Political Cartoon History in the Classroom
• A Concise History of Joseph Keppler

Image: “As Natural As Life - Patching Up the Republican Jumbo for 1888″ This cartoon was published in response to the new Republican strategy after suffering defeat in 1884. Read More.

Political Cartoon Drawing Lesson: The Basics Part I

Change the World by Drawing Funny Pictures

You want to try political cartooning. You want to change the world. Perhaps you’re being idealistic. Then again, maybe not.

Political cartooning appeared to lose significance as newspapers struggled against on-line news. And new media tools, such as digital photography and video proliferated via internet. Who had time to draw? These new tools were faster, easier to learn, and seemed just as effective at satire and humor. Drawing took years to learn.

And then some Dutch newspaper had to go and ruin everyone’s day by publishing some crazy cartoons, because no one had a photo of Muhammad. Well, I guess there’s still some punch left in the pen.

For those wishing to learn the art of drawing political cartoons, each Saturday I’m going to take us a bit further along that journey. The lessons will alternate between practice and theory, skills and history. Some of the stuff may seem silly. I hope you try it out anyway.

So let’s start having fun at the expense of famous people who do stupid things.

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