Star Wars Art Awakens the Force of Childhood Nostalgia

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Dubbed “Childhood Revisited,” this collection of Star Wars artwork by Matt Cauley was influenced by his selection of vintage Star Wars motion figures.

Star Wars Art: The Trooper by Matt Cauley
The Trooper (tempera and ink resist on board, 10×8)

New York artist Matt Cauley has been recognized for his exceptional and electrifying acrylic portraiture—but his Star Wars art usually takes a pretty different solution. Dubbed his Childhood Revisited series, the playful paintings have been encouraged by the Vintage Kenner Star Wars action determine line the artist had as a kid.

“These paintings were being a pleasurable experiment,” Cauley claims. “Since nostalgia performs these a huge purpose in my lifestyle, I made a decision that rather of portray portraits of folks, I would endeavor to paint ‘portraits’ of my childhood toys. These were the toys my mother had purchased for me some 30 to 40 decades ago, so there are all of individuals added recollections and associations with the issue matter.”

Star Wars Art: Lizard Man by Matt Cauley
Lizard Guy (tempera and ink resist on board, 10×8)

Behind the Star Wars Art

The paintings are produced in ink and tempera, employing a resist system that results in a modest sense of kind and a lively floor when retaining a potent graphic high quality.

Here’s a wander-by way of of the novel system:

  1. Define & Paint Surface: Cauley starts with a extremely restricted define drawing on illustration board, then utilizes white tempera paint to fill in all the regions outdoors the line function. This produces a area that is painted completely white besides wherever his pencil strains are remaining uncovered.
  2. Utilize Ink: After the paint dries, he applies large locations of ink over the overall area, commonly likely with shades a lot darker than all those he needs in the final piece, such as blacks, browns, and dim blues.
  3. Rinse: The moment this phase dries, he positions the board in a sink beneath functioning drinking water. Making use of his fingertips, he progressively helps the tempera paint dissolve and “sculpts” with the ink that is still left powering. The remaining dark inks produce the illusion of both an engraving or a woodcut, based on how substantially ink erodes throughout the rinse procedure.
  4. Tint: The moment the portray is dry, he tints parts on the board to finesse the coloration.
Star Wars Art: Bounty Hunter by Matt Cauley
Bounty Hunter (tempera and ink resist on board, 10×8)

In accordance to Cauley, portion of the enjoyment of operating this way is that he hardly ever very is aware how the graphic will turn out. The actual last look depends on break up-2nd conclusions he will make even though he’s working drinking water throughout the graphic.

Linked: Star Wars Artwork: How Carl Samson Painted an Oil Portrait of Padmé

Inventive Cross-Training

Cauley is equally comfortable with fine art portraits and illustration, and he values the cross-education every single of these pursuits has offered.

“For me, it doesn’t make a difference irrespective of whether I’m portray an picture of a close friend or model, or sculpting and crafting a superhero or sci-fi character,” he states. “They all use the exact same primary procedures of paint, likeness, and constructing of form, regardless of the topic matter. My paintings are educated by my graphic design and style, just as my toy style is influenced by my illustration skills. The design and style ideas are applicable, regardless of whether the art goes on paper, canvas or electronic screens, or is molded in plastic.”

Star Wars Art: Bad Motivator by Matt Cauley
Lousy Motivator (tempera and ink resist on board, 10×8)

Indeed, Cauley’s portraits convey an rigorous and considerate exploration of the way people today relate to the entire world and every other. This is certainly informed by his childhood fascination with the Star Wars narrative, in which tiny human dramas participate in out towards a track record of epic forces.

Are We Done Yet? acrylic on canvas, 30×24

Relevant: Portray Thoughts in Acrylic

What’s Following in the Star Wars Art Selection?

Cauley has identified collectors who share his enthusiasm and nostalgia, and get pleasure from collecting his paintings of the toys they grew up with.

“There ended up extra than 100 Star Wars figures created for the classic line, and I hope to sooner or later have paintings produced of all of them,” says Cauley. “It feels superior getting equipped to share these childhood reminiscences with individuals who have similar memories.”

To continue to be up-to-day on new releases, stick to Matt Cauley on Instagram.

A edition of this story initial appeared in Artists Magazine.

Fulfill the Artist

Matt Cauley, artist
Investigate Matt Cauley’s artwork at mattcauley.com.

Matt Cauley has an considerable history in the visible arts. Born in Dallas, he moved to New York in 1992 to go to Parsons College of Style and design, obtaining his BFA in Illustration. Though there, he identified a adore for portrait portray, and he has continued his portray research at the University of Visible Arts less than the guidance of renowned artist John A. Parks. male and team exhibitions, most not long ago at the Plaxall Gallery in Queens, N.Y. He helps make his household in New York City. In addition to painting, Cauley is also an attained illustrator and toy designer.

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