Christmas in Conniption by Stan Lynde

Back in the early sixties, I started reading comic books and the newspaper comic strips. One of my most favorite strips was Rick O'Shay by Stan Lynde.

In particular, I loved the color Sunday strips that focused on Rick and his family and, of course, the "Happy Birthday, Boss" strip featuring Hipshot.

While cruising eBay, I found out that Stan is still accepting commissions. So, I contacted him and asked if he would be willing to create a Christmas scene for me featuring Rick's family (Rick, Gaye, Quyat, Seth, Hipshot, and Belle Star). He graciously accepted and produced this wonderful watercolor.

I asked him to describe the creation process and he wrote back:

Rick, Gaye, and the two boys were to be in the scene, as did Hipshot and Belle Starr. The time was to be Christmas, at Rick's house. I began with different rough sketches, trying to place the characters and elements in a meaningful composition. Finally settled on the concept of Christmas morning. The boys are opening presents beneath the tree as Rick and Gaye look on from the doorway into the kitchen. Hipshot sits drinking coffee nearby in the parlor, Belle Starr at his feet. Working out the composition was fairly difficult--the more elements in a composition, the harder it is.

I stretched the paper by soaking it in water and taping it onto masonite until it dried. This helps eliminate warping and buckling when the water color is added.

It took two pencil drawings to work out the perspective, the second one a careful one which would underlie the pen and ink work and the color. I inked the drawing completely, then rendered the scene in water color.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Feel free to leave comments.