A new series of oil paintings depicting some of literature’s greatest characters - on a slightly "smaller" scale.
What if literature's greatest characters walked right out of their books?
We all remember Gumby sliding in and out of storybooks, right? With this project, the most notable fictional characters step through the covers of their own stories and onto the canvas. I'm going to paint a series of oil paintings celebrating literary legends like Dracula, Jane Eyre, Captain Ahab, Sherlock Holmes, and Holden Caulfield posing in front of their iconic books as toy sized figures.
Origin Story
When I started my Little People series back in 2008, my goal was to paint in the style of the 1957 movie The Incredible Shrinking Man using traditional oil painting techniques. The scenes depicted an overwhelming, and occasionally, dangerous world seen through the eyes of childlike curiosity and adventure.
After twice painting scenes of figures climbing up stacks of books, an idea started to evolve. I wondered about who the figures were. Standing in front of large scale novels made it seem as if they had escaped from the stories. The next questions were, if I planned on illustrating these storybook escapees, who would I paint and how would I paint them?
First brainstorming sketches
Project Details
My goal is to paint an oil series with a minimum of 5 paintings. Each painting will have one of its main characters positioned in front of their respective book. For the poster designs, his or her name and a quote, description, or excerpt from the story will be digitally added underneath the image using unique typography.
The funding will go towards purchasing supplies like linen canvas and oil paint, frames, model and studio fees, costumes and props, print and poster expenses, and the time for me to work - since this is both my passion and my career.
Who are the possible characters?
I have a growing list of characters that I will select from. The final ones will be chosen based off of the strength of the character and sketch design (artist’s discretion).
- Abigail Williams (The Crucible)
- Alice (Alice in Wonderland)
- Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)
- Captain Ahab (Moby Dick)
- Don Quixote
- Dorian Gray (The Picture of Dorian Gray)
- Count Dracula
- Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol)
- Emma Bovary (Madame Bovary)
- Hamlet
- Hester Prynne (The Scarlet Letter)
- Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye)
- James Bond
- Jane Eyre
- Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)
- Jo March (Little Women)
- Lennie Small (Of Mice and Men)
- Lisbeth Salander (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
- Long John Silver (Treasure Island)
- Peter Pan
- Severus Snape (Harry Potter)
- Sherlock Holmes
- Tarzan
Who is this project for?
- anyone who has an appreciation for art, design, classic literature, libraries, interesting characters or just reading in general.
The more pledges I receive, the better and more authentic I can make the series AND the longer I can continue it beyond just the 5 initial characters that I’ve proposed.
I started painting my Little People series as a way to reflect on my childhood memories as an increasingly more cynical adult. With your help, this project will keep my childlike spirit alive and provide inspiration for other young readers and artists. So, please, tell your friends, family, and anyone you know about this Kickstarter project! Thank you.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
18
Backers
$1,181
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on June 23, 2012.
Funding period
May 7, 2012 -
Jun 23, 2012
- First created · 0 backed
- Ricky Colson 382 friends
- Website: rickycolson.com
Pledge $10 or more
0 backers
A biweekly digital newsletter with exclusive “behind the scenes” images of the paintings in progress and your name listed on my website as a personal thank you
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $25 or more
6 backers
$10 Rewards + a set of postcards (one of each painting) along with a handwritten thank you note
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $40 or more
5 backers
$25 Rewards + autographed 11" x 17" poster with character name and quote, choose your design. (Please add $10 for International shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $75 or more
4 backers
$25 Rewards + set of ALL 5 signed posters. (Please add $10 for International shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $150 or more
0 backers
$75 Rewards + signed and numbered 8" x10" Giclee print of your favorite painting from this series (painted image only) AND a signed photograph of me and the character model.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $250 or more
2 backers
$75 Rewards + ALL 5 signed and numbered Giclee prints from this series AND signed photographs of me and the character models.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
$250 Rewards + ANY signed and framed poster DONATED TO A LIBRARY of your choice as a gift with your name on the sponsor plaque.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
$250 Rewards + ALL 5 signed and framed posters DONATED TO A LIBRARY of your choice as a gift with your name on the sponsor plaque.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $1,500 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
$1000 Rewards + THE detailed preliminary drawing from your favorite design (choices are first come first serve)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
$1000 Rewards + ONE OF A KIND commissioned fully rendered graphite drawing of your PERSONAL favorite fictional character and book in the same style
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
$2000 Rewards + ONE OF A KIND commissioned oil painting of your PERSONAL favorite fictional character and book in the same style.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
