College Humor 1932

Rolf Armstrong made this cover for College Humor, and it’s all about slick surfaces and smooth illusions. The way he handles the paint, it’s like he's not even touching it, right? Everything is so airbrushed and dreamy, especially the figure. Check out the reflection in the water, how it mirrors the woman above but inverts the colour of the beach umbrella. It’s like a portal, bending the rules of reality. The paint is thin and controlled, which is pretty different from how I approach things. I like to get my hands dirty! I love a bit of texture, something raw and real. There’s something of J.C. Leyendecker here, you know, that same attention to the graphic quality of the image, and the way the colours pop. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art doesn’t have to be one thing. It can be shiny and fun, just like a day at the beach.