Untitled c. 1970s

Gil Elvgren painted this untitled piece in the style of a pin-up, probably with oils, and it's got that smooth, almost airbrushed look of commercial art. It's so different from my own messy brushstrokes, but I can appreciate the skill. I like the way Elvgren handles color, building up layers to create these soft, almost luminous skin tones. The black stockings against the white life preserver create a striking contrast, and the red accents in the shoes and corset really pop. Look at the edge where the petticoat meets the stocking and you see the tiniest details of a lace trim. The way he manages to turn a potentially static image into something dynamic through a careful handling of light and shadow, that's impressive. It makes me think of Norman Rockwell, another master of American illustration, but with a bit more flirtation. Ultimately, it reminds us that art doesn't always have to be serious to be skillful.