College Humor 1930

This magazine cover titled 'College Humor' was made by Rolf Armstrong, and well, it is humorous! Armstrong's approach feels like he’s building up layers of watercolor washes, like building up a tan on the beach. The color palette here is really interesting. The creamy skin tones against the deep blue background create a visual pop. There’s this dreamy quality to the surface of the paint, kind of like looking through frosted glass. Look at the highlights on the figure's arms – see how they almost glow? It's like he's capturing a fleeting moment of light and shadow. The reflections in the boat are just as lively as the figures themselves. It reminds me of the way Manet used to capture the energy of modern life, with a wink and a nudge. There’s this conversation happening between the past and present, between reality and fantasy. That’s what makes art so much fun, right?