I Committed Art Forgery For My Dad’s Birthday
# The Harry Gold Show: Recreating Al Hirschfeld’s Caricatures
## A Tribute to Al Hirschfeld
For my Dad’s birthday this year, I’m getting his portrait done by one of our favorite artists: Al Hirschfeld. Hirschfeld originals are relatively affordable, and he’s not too busy to do it. However, there’s one teensy little hitch… He’s dead. So, instead of summoning him with a Ouija board or using a time machine, I’ll be doing the next best thing: Forgery!
## The Art of Al Hirschfeld
Al Hirschfeld was one of the most famous caricaturists ever, capturing iconic likenesses from Ringo Starr to The Rolling Stones. His career spanned 80 years, primarily drawing for the New York Times. His unique style involved stark, black and white line drawings, with minimalistic features and hidden names like « Nina » in his work.
## Recreating Hirschfeld’s Style
To recreate Hirschfeld’s style, I used Fabriano watercolor paper, India ink, a dip pen, gouache paints, and a watercolor brush. Hirschfeld’s drawings were known for their thin, flowing lines and minimalistic approach to facial features. I carefully studied his techniques, including how he drew eyes as spirals and used line weight for emphasis.
## The Process of Forgery
While I’m not trying to deceive anyone with this forgery, I wanted to capture the essence of Hirschfeld’s style for my Dad’s birthday surprise. I followed Hirschfeld’s techniques for drawing hands, ears, and using patterns without outlines. After inking the portrait, the final step was erasing the pencil lines to reveal the finished caricature.
## Conclusion
In the end, recreating Al Hirschfeld’s caricatures was a challenging yet rewarding experience. His unique style and attention to detail inspired me to create a special birthday gift for my Dad. While I may not have the same talent as Hirschfeld, I hope this tribute captures the essence of his iconic artwork.
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