EXTREME FACE-PAINTING Demo at Blick TONIGHT 10/21!

Come visit me TONIGHT Oct 21st from 5pm-7pm at BLICK ART MATERIALS in Wheaton, IL where I will be doing an EXTREME FACEPAINTING demonstration... not just your pretty little butterflies, hearts, and rainbows... we are talking MONSTERS!!!  Blick will be having a DOUBLE DISCOUNT EVENT all weekend Oct 21-23rd with various demos, so be sure to stop by! Here is the coupon... (click to enlarge and print)

I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

Dick Blick Art Materials®, Blick®, Blick Studio®, and Artists Pick Blick®
are registered trademarks of Dick Blick Holdings Inc.
© Copyright 1999-2011 Dick Blick Holdings Inc. All rights reserved.

First Annual MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition - Opening Reception Oct 29

Kosart Effects Studios and Gallery cordially invites you to the
First Annual MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition

a Halloween Themed Art Show featuring Award Winning Artists of All Media!!  Artist List Below!

Please join us for the inaugural event at Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery:
Exhibition Opening and Artist Reception
Saturday, October 29, 2011, 6:30pm to Midnight
Costumes and Creative Attire Optional.

The MALEFICIUM Exhibition runs
October 29th through December 2nd.
Gallery hours (Oct 30 to Dec 2nd) by Appointment Only.
Please call to schedule an appointment: 630.310.8353


At Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery
760 Burr Oak Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
Click HERE for Directions

Exhibiting Artists in the First Annual

MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition 

include:

Tony Akins 
Kurt Anderson
Charlie Athanas
Kyle Bice
Brian Busch
Melita “MissMonster” Curphy
Dave Dorman
Ray Frenden
Aron Gagliardo
Ashton Gallagher
Tom Herzberg
Douglas Klauba
Kenn Kooi
J. Anthony Kosar
Rich Kryczka
Larkin
Joseph Lester
Darick Maasen
Menton Matthews III
Matthew McCarty
Aaron Miller
Bill Reinhold
Chad Savage
Jason Seiler 
Tim Shumate
Ben Templesmith
Jill Thompson
Bill Ystrom

 Click HERE for Artist Bios!!

The Maleficium Show is sponsored by the HorrorSociety.com

 ____________________________

MALEFICIUM is a Latin term meaning "mischief" and is used to describe black magic and the dark arts.  The name was selected to represent this exhibit as a metaphor for the Halloween inspired artwork.


The Image used (above) for the First Annual MALEFICIUM: Dark Art Exhibition:

Nigredo Two
 by Menton Matthews III

18" by 24" Oil on Wood Panel,
Published in Ars Memoria #1.
This painting will be on display for the duration of the 2011 MALEFICIUM Show.
Image courtesy exhibiting artist Menton Matthews III.

Nigredo Two © Menton Matthews III.

Maleficium Exhibition © Kosart Effects Studios, LLC. 

All Rights Reserved.

Fantasy Costumes Open 24 Hours for 10 Days before Halloween!

Be sure to visit Fantasy Costumes, Chicago’s COSTUME SUPERSTORE, featuring the largest selection of Halloween costumes, Halloween masks, make-up, costume wigs and accessories for all ages. They also offer a large selection of rental costumes, mascot costumes, theater costumes, women’s human hair wigs and men’s hair pieces. One stop shopping for ALL your Halloween needs!!  Visit their website HERE

Fantasy will be open 24-hours a day

from Oct. 21st to Oct. 31st!  

Also, please vote for Fantasy Costumes to be named BEST COSTUME SHOP on Fox Chicago's Mojopages!!  If you write a review, you will receive 10% off your next purchase or rental on their page!!  Voting ends in 4 days from this post!!  So VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!  Vote HERE

Kosart Effects Studios is proud to have Fantasy Costumes
as a sponsor of our FX Courses, . . .

so please patronize our generous sponsor!!

Logo © Fantasy Costumes HDQ: www.fantasycostumes.com

Live-Sculpting at WildClaw Theatre Gala Benefit!

Be sure to reserve your ticket for WildClaw Theatre's First Annual MASQUE of the RED DEATH Gala Benefit THIS Monday, October 10th!!  Come see me sculpting live during the evening!!  Also featured is their special guest Doug Jones, creature actor for Pan's Labrynth, Hellboy, Adaptation, and more!  There will also be artwork on display from Clive Barker, Dave Dorman, Tony Akins, Ray Frenden, and More.

Here is all the info:

Monday, October 10, 2011
Mars Gallery † 1139 W. Fulton Market, Chicago
6:30pm until the sounding of midnight upon the clock

PURCHASE TICKETS

WildClaw Theatre cordially invites you to our voluptuous scene, the First Annual Masque of the Red Death Gala Benefit. Come revel amidst members of Chicago’s own Horror Theatre. There will be buffoons, beauty, bounty and drink; amazing artists; musicians; and our special guest, actor Doug Jones (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, Adaptation and more).  Food will be presented by Sazon Chicago!

Witness grotesque delights and dark spectacles, including: music; silent auctions; live horror sculpting by J. Anthony Kosar; and original art from Clive Barker (courtesy of Packer Schopf Gallery), Dave Dorman, Tony Akins, Ray Frenden and more. Commence your Halloween season with a grand fete featuring drinking, eating, dark art, tricks, treats and horror in support of WildClaw Theatre’s mission to bring the world of Horror to the Chicago stage.

• Dark attire is welcome, but not required.

• All art will be available for sale or auction.

TICKET OPTIONS:

Advance Tickets: $100 ($120 at the Door)

VIP Advance Tickets: $125 - Also includes:
• Ticket to WildClaw Theatre’s Fourth Annual DEATHSCRIBE: Festival of Radio Horror Plays on December 5, 2011 at the Mayne Stage.
• Ticket to the World Premiere of Scott T. Barsotti's KILL ME, opening February 13, 2012 at the Athenaeum Theatre.

More Information and

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

 
Images & Artwork © WildClaw Theatre and/or the respective artists.

New Site Launched for KOSART GALLERY!

With the opening of my new studio in April, I am proud to announce the new website for Kosart Gallery.  Please visit the site and be sure to check out the inaugural exhibition from Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery, the First Annual MALEFICIUM: Dark Art Exhibition (opening and artists reception on October 29th).  More info on the Maleficium exhibition coming in a following blog post.

Visit Kosart Gallery - CLICK HERE

Artwork and Logo © J. Anthony Kosar & Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.

All Rights Reserved.

Enroll in the ART OF MASK MAKING - 4 Day Course!!!

Create and wear your own mask this Halloween! In this intense 4-Day HANDS-ON course taught by artist J. Anthony Kosar, you will learn the professional process on how to design, create, and finish your own latex half-mask, beginning with character/creature concept design fundamentals. Next you will learn sculpting techniques used by FX masters in the industry, how to properly mold your sculpture in stone, and how to cast your mask in rubber latex. Finally, you will learn various professional approaches to painting and finishing your mask for display, portfolio, and for wear. This course will consist of lectures, demonstrations, and HANDS-ON learning. All materials included, including a sculpting tool set for you to keep! Be prepared to take notes.

Art of Mask Making Course Schedule:

All classes will be scheduled on Sundays from 10am to 4pm with a lunch break.

First class begins October 2, and continues October 9, October 16, and October 23.

ENROLL BY FIRST DAY OF CLASS:
Sunday, October 2nd - At Door

Enrollments accepted at the door on first class date of Oct 2nd, however, this class is filling up quick, so enroll now and reserve your seat!!

ENROLL TODAY, CLICK HERE!!

See pictures from the April and June 2011
Art of Mask Making courses HERE and below:

View the June 2011 slide show on the KOSARTeffects Flickr page HERE

View the April 2011 slide show on the KOSARTeffects Flickr page HERE

Photographs by Kosart Effects Studios, LLC, unless otherwise stated.
All Mask Designs Copyright their Respective Artists.
All Rights Reserved.

Live Sculpting at BLICK MADNESS!

Come visit me THIS THURSDAY Sept 22 from 3pm-7pm at BLICK MADNESS at Blick Art Materials in Wheaton, IL where I will be sculpting live. Here is the info...

Visit Blick Art Materials in Wheaton, IL on September 22, 2011 for your Instant Win Game Piece! You could win a discount up to 50% off your entire purchase or a gift card valued up to $1,500. Every game piece is a guaranteed winner, so don’t miss your chance to win! Every store will also be raffling off a prize pack valued at $1000 full of products by major brands.

On top of these great prizes, there will be music, art, food, and giveaways. Not to mention a live screen printing demo with a takeaway canvas tote!

This is an exciting event you don’t want to miss!

• Session: Dave Dorman 1p-3p
• Session: Jeff Balke 4p-6p
• Session: J. Anthony Kosar 3p-7p
• Session: Live Music by Peter Maldonado 5p-7p

More Info HERE

I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

Dick Blick Art Materials®, Blick®, Blick Studio®, and Artists Pick Blick®
are registered trademarks of Dick Blick Holdings Inc.
© Copyright 1999-2011 Dick Blick Holdings Inc. All rights reserved.

LEX TALIONIS Premieres at TEMECULA INT'L FILM FEST This Weekend!

Hey California friends.... Be sure to go to the 17th Annual Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival this weekend to see the premiere of my sister, Melissa Kosar's film LEX TALIONIS that she wrote and directed!!

Here are the showtimes:

Fri. Sept. 16th @ 9pm
Sat. Sept. 17th @ 5pm
At TEMECULA!

LEX TALIONIS is also the Officail Selection of the 2011 CENFLO Central Florida Film Festival and Officail Selection of the 2011 LA FEMME Film Festival in Los Angeles!!

I did some minor FX make-up for the short film as well as the poster and advertisements.

See the Teaser:

"Lex Talionis" Teaser and Poster © 2011 Melissa Kosar / Kos For Three Productions.
All Rights Reserved.

Enroll in the ART OF MAKE-UP FX - 4 Day Course!!!

Just in time for Halloween, in this intense HANDS-ON 4-day course taught by artist J. Anthony Kosar, you will learn the professional process on how to design and create Make-up FX for film, theater, media, and fun. Beginning with theatrical make-up fundamentals, you will learn how to design character and age make-ups, as well as injury and wound simulation make-ups. Next you will learn various 2D make-up application techniques and basic “out of the kit” 3D construction make-ups used by FX masters in the industry. Finally, students will learn various professional approaches to acting through make-up and building your Make-up FX portfolio. This course will consist of lectures, demonstrations, and HANDS-ON learning. All materials included, including a personalized Make-Up FX Kit for you to keep! Be prepared to take notes. More info HERE

The Art of Make-up FX Course Schedule:

All classes will be scheduled on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm with a lunch break.

First class begins October 1, and continues October 8, October 15, and October 22.

Enrollment Deadline: Monday, Sept 19th
ENROLL TODAY!! Click HERE

See pictures from our ART OF MAKE-UP FX - June 2011 Course HERE

View the June 2011 slide show on the KOSARTeffects Flickr page HERE

Photographs by Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.
All Make-Up Designs Copyright their Respective Artists.
All Rights Reserved.

Enroll in ON-SKIN SILICONE FX Workshop!!!

In this intense HANDS-ON 2-Day workshop taught by artist J. Anthony Kosar, you will learn the professional process and techniques on how create 3D "out-of-the-kit" on-skin silicone make-up FX. Learn how to create some of the most realistic injury/wound simulation make-ups, as well as unique 3D character make-ups utilizing some of the most exclusive high-end products in the Make-Up FX industry. These advanced make-up techniques were created for the new digital age of high-definition. Note: these are techniques not covered in The Art of Make-Up FX 4 day course. This workshop will consist of demonstrations and HANDS-ON learning. All materials included, including a professional On-Skin Silicone Make-Up FX Kit for you to keep! Be prepared to take notes. More info HERE

Enrollment Deadline: Monday, Sept 12th

ENROLL TODAY!
click HERE

Enroll in EXTREME FACE-PAINTING Workshop!!!

In this intense 2-Day workshop taught by artist J. Anthony Kosar in Westmont, IL on September 10 & 11, you will learn the professional process and techniques on how to design and create Extreme Face-Painting effects. Learn how to push the boundaries of 2D painting to create the illusion of 3D, just in time for Halloween! This workshop will consist of demonstrations and HANDS-ON learning. All materials included, including a professional Face-Painting Kit for you to keep! Be prepared to take notes. More info HERE

Enrollment Deadline: Monday, August 29th

ENROLL TODAY!
click HERE

Enroll in Life-Casting Seminar!!!

In this intense 2-Day seminar taught by artist J. Anthony Kosar in Westmont, IL on August 27 & 28, you will learn the professional process and techniques on how take a full-face (half-head) life-cast utilizing alginate and a full-head / shoulders life-cast utilizing silicone. You will then learn how to cast and clean the life-cast, as well as to prepare it for creating custom prosthetics. NOTE: This is a seminar and will consist of demonstrations only, students will not be creating life-casts in this seminar. Be prepared to take notes. More info HERE

ENROLL TODAY!
click HERE

Kosart Effects Studios at FLASHBACK WEEKEND!!!

Come visit me at FLASHBACK WEEKEND CHICAGO HORROR CONVENTION from August 12 to August 14, 2011 at Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare! Yes, it is the same weekend as Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, BUT RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET!! So come on over and have a scary good time with tons of Horror celebs! See me sculpting a creature mask LIVE! Be sure to ask us about our Kosart Effects FX Classes and Workshops, and see a preview of the latest collectors masks from Kosart Effects Studios, to be available later this year! Also see my masks that I designed and sculpted for Zagone Studios!

Flashback Weekend is an annual horror-themed convention held in Rosemont, IL, just North of Chicago near O'Hare Airport. FBW also owns/operates the Midway Drive In and does special genre-related events throughout the year.

More info: Flashback Weekend

Zombie Photo © J. Anthony Kosar.
Flashback Weekend Logo © Flashback Weekend.
All Rights Reserved.

Presidential MONSTERS at SDCC!

About a couple months ago, I did a project for a new action figure toy line, Presidential MONSTERS! These figures are a hybrid between the classic monsters and the American presidents. They are fully pose-able, with real clothes, and styled like the vintage Mego figures. They are being officially released at San Diego Comic Con this weekend July 21-24th 2011 at the Presidential MONSTERS booth #3449!


I was brought on to do three of the seven character illustrations for the packaging cards: Richard Nixon as "Monster from the Watergate Lagoon," George W. Bush as "Zom-Bush," and John F. Kennedy as "The Phantom of the White House." The images were painted wide to fit the back of the card as well as the front.

Here is the art:
(click pictures to view larger)


Here are some details of the art:
(click pictures to view larger)

As each character has a theme color, the theme color for Nixon "Monster from the Watergate Lagoon" is orange, so the original approved colors of the final illustration were adjusted by the packaging designer for continuity of the set between artists. You can see the package version of Nixon and Zom-Bush below which you can also get as T-Shirts:

I had a very tight deadline for this project as the art had to go to the factory in order to be printed on the packaging cards in time to have everything ready to be released by this weekend at the San Diego Comic Con. Plus, I was working on these illustrations when I was finishing the creation of 3 creatures for the film Blood on the Plain, but luckily I was able to complete these 3 creatures as well as the film's 3 creatures in time! They started off as traditional gouache paintings, but once I was about 50% finished, I completed painting them digitally in Photoshop in order to meet the deadline.

Here are what the toys look like:
(click pictures to view larger)


Here is the whole line:
(click picture to view larger)


They even are making MINI Presidential MONSTERS:
(click picture to view larger)

If you are going to be at San Diego Comic Con this weekend July 21-24th 2011, be sure to stop by the Presidential MONSTERS booth #3449 where you can be the first to own these monster presidents and t-shirts featuring my artwork!! The booth is right next to the Mezco Toys booth. Also be sure to visit booths Heroes West Coast #729 and Toy Tokyo #5437! I unfortunately will be unable to attend SDCC 2011 to see the offical Presidential MONSTER release, but if you go, send me some pictures of the Monsters!!

These toys will be hitting the shelves at various national retailers, toy stores, and novelty shops very soon. Also, some REALLY BIG news about this haunted toy line is also coming soon, so keep posted!

Monster Nixon, Bush, and Kennedy Illustrations by J. Anthony Kosar.
Photos of Toys and Logos courtesy Heroes In Action Toys.
Presidential Monsters, Toys, and Art © 2011 Heroes In Action Toys, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

The Art of Mask Making - June 2011 Recap

June also marked the 2nd time the Art of Mask Making was offered by Kosart Effects Studios! Once again, many students from across Chicagoland came out to learn the Art of Mask Making In an intense 4 Saturday course. Students learned everything from creature design fundamentals to sculpting, molding, casting, painting, and finishing techniques. Check out some of the pictures below in the Flickr slideshow from the Art of Mask Making - June 2011!

"Best class I've ever taken!"
~ Mitch Martos (Art of Mask Making Student - June 2011)
See Mitch's work below with the other students!

Thank you to all my students!! I also want to send a HUGE thank you to Blick Art Materials, Zagone Studios, and Fantasy Costumes for their sponsorship and all their help and support in making these FX courses possible!

Be sure to catch the next
Art of Mask Making Course
and other FX courses from
Kosart Effects Studios!!


Photographs by Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.
All Mask Designs Copyright their Respective Artists.
All Rights Reserved.

The Art of Make-Up FX - June 2011 Recap

June marked the first Art of Make-Up FX course taught through Kosart Effects Studios. 6 students from all over the Chicagoland area of all ages came out to learn various "out of the kit" techniques of theatrical make-up FX. In an intense 4 Sunday course, students learned everything from theatrical make-up fundamentals, age and corrective make-ups, 2D and 3D character make-up design, and injury make-up. Check out the Flickr slideshow to see the creative work of the students from the Art of Make-Up FX - June 2011.

"I learned a great deal more useful techniques in this short amount of time than any semester-long make-up course I've taken."
~ Justine Losoya (Columbia College Graduate & Art of Make-Up FX Student - June 2011)

"The Art of Make-Up FX was another home run for Kosart Effects Studios. I recommend it for those looking to get their hands bloody . . . I mean their feet wet in the world of Special Effects Make-Up!"
~ Scott Mitchell (Art of Make-Up FX Student - June 2011)

See Justine's and Scott's work below with the other students!

Thank you to all my students for being a part of the first Make-Up FX course from Kosart Effects Studios!! I also want to send a HUGE thank you to Fantasy Costumes, Blick Art Materials and Zagone Studios for their sponsorship and all their help and support in making the Art of Make-Up FX possible!

Be sure to catch the next
Art of Make-Up FX Course
and other FX courses from
Kosart Effects Studios!!


Photographs by Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.
All Make-Up Designs Copyright their Respective Artists.
All Rights Reserved.

My Sister On Happily Divorced - Premieres Tonight 6-15-11 10:30/9:30c

Be sure to tune in to the premiere of the new TV Land sitcom Happily Divorced tonight, Wednesday, June 15th 10:30/9:30c. The show stars Fran Drescher (The Nanny) and is based off her life with her real ex-husband. My sister Melissa Kosar has been working on this show as a director-in-training since the pilot episode WHICH AIRS TONIGHT on TV Land!! Plus, she will be in front of the camera in tonight's pilot episode as a background actor at the concert scene sitting just two seats away from Fran!

Here is Melissa with Fran Drescher, and Melissa's mentor Lee Shallat Chemel who directs this sitcom, among many others:(picture taken by G. Lurssen)

Read more of Melissa's Experience on her blog HERE and check out some of Melissa's filmwork on her WEBSITE and BLOG

Happily Divorced Photo copyrighted to respective owners at Happily Divorced/TV Land.

Blue Bunny Facepaintings!

I had an early call time yesterday morning at 3:30am for a very interesting and fun job: 8 face-paintings for Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide for a guerrilla marketing campaign throughout the hot spots in Chicago promoting Blue Bunny Ice Cream which is new to the Windy City and is available at Jewel. Eight improv actors from Chicago's Second City were wearing giant Blue Bunny Ice Cream carton heads created by limebarb.com and roaming various locations in Chicago spreading the word at Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, Water Tower Place, Wrigley Field, Ogilvie Transportation Center, Millennium Park, and other places in Chicago. One of the characters even got on NBC morning news! Each face-painting took about 30 minutes.

Here are the two NBC 5 News Clips
(He totally startled the news anchors in the first clip!!):

Below are some pictures from the face-painting applications. I hope to get pictures of them in action on location soon.
(Click images to view larger)



See more pictures on my Facebook Page HERE

*UPDATED* Inaugural ART OF MASK MAKING Course - April 2011 *PICS ADDED*

On April 2nd, 2011, the first FX course offered through my new studio began: the inaugural Art of Mask Making. 7 students from all over the Chicagoland area ranging in age from 16 to 46 came to learn the mask making process. In an intense 4 Saturday course, students learned everything from creature design fundamentals to sculpting, molding, casting, painting, and finishing techniques. Read an article on MySuburbanLife.com HERE. Below are some pictures from the inaugural Art of Mask Making - April 2011.

"It was a dream come true to find a comprehensive mask course geared toward special effects in Chicago. The class revived a passion that I had for a long time but never had the opportunity to pursue."
~ Scott Mitchell (Art of Mask Making Student - April 2011)
See Scott's work below!

The next Art of Mask Making session begins June 4th, and we are introducing the Art of Make-Up FX course beginning June 5th. Be sure to enroll today! More info HERE.

Mask Sculpting Demo:

(Click images to view larger)

Students Sculpting Their Masks:
(Click images to view larger)




Finished Mask Sculpts:
(Click images to view larger)



Mold Making:
(Click images to view larger)



Mask Painting Demo:
(Click images to view larger)


Unpainted Student Masks Cast in Latex:
(Click images to view larger)



Painted Student Masks:
(Click images to view larger)

Check back soon for more pictures
of the other students' finished painted masks!!

Thank you to all my students for being a part of the launch of the Kosart Effects Studios' FX Classes!! I also want to send a HUGE thank you to Blick Art Materials and Zagone Studios for their sponsorship and all their help and support in making the Art of Mask Making possible! Special thanks to Kevin Sandstom, Tony Zagone, and Rich Zagone! You guys rock!

Seating is limited,
be sure to enroll in the next course!!


Photographs by Melissa Kosar, Kevin Sandstrom, and Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.
All Masks Copyright their Respective Owners.
All Rights Reserved.