Site of the Week: Rich Tuzon's Blog 'The Grind'

It seems that animated cartoons and comic books been a virtual Noah's Ark for the old-fashioned skills of draughtmanship and composition since they were ditched by modern art. Every time I venture out into the blogosphere looking for an interesting artist, I come across animators or illustrators who work in an associated area.

Rich Tuzon is an illustrator who has been with the Walt Disney Company® for ten years, while maintaining his individual creative output. His blog, 'The Grind', demonstrates the adage that drawing is as much about seeing as actually drawing: check out his stunning travel photographs. His figure drawings combine elegant line with powerful, blocked tone that reveals a sound understanding of anatomy and the fall of light.

What really caught my eye was his gorgeous new work, currently exhibiting at Gallery 1988, which re-interprets classical Greek myth with a Japanese aesthetic. The medium is fascinating - subtle acrylic washes on board, with the wood surface an integral part of the composition.

Image: a detail from Rich Tuzon's painting, 'Hercules and the Nemean Lion'.