Tuesday, December 11, 2012

KOSAR on Syfy's FACE OFF Season 4!

THE RUMORS ARE TRUE!

I will be competing in the BIGGEST competition for Make-Up FX on the BIGGEST season of FACE OFF yet!  FACE OFF Season 4 premiers on Tuesday, January 15th, 2013 at 9/8c on the Syfy Channel, and continues every Tuesday at 9/8c on Syfy!  Be sure to tune in or set your DVRs to cheer me on!  Show your support on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks!  A list of my social networks can be found on the Links Page.  Tell your family!  Tell your friends!  Be sure to spread the word!

Watch the Official FACE OFF Season 4 Preview:

Watch my audition video on Youtube HERE:
  Thanks to my friend Kunal Savkur for editing the video for me, and to Bear McGivney for the awesome photographs of the final Beast make-up... And be sure to subscribe to my Youtube Channel!



And an FYI, ...
as I have received many questions concerning my FX Classes & Workshops... Classes will continue as scheduled for 2013 during the run of FACE OFF Season 4.  Check the class dates and enroll HERE

The Beast & other artwork in video © J. Anthony Kosar.
Face Off & Syfy © Respective Owners.

2nd Annual MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition RECAP...

With such a huge response after the inaugural event at Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery, the First MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition, this year we went BIGGER!  The Second Annual MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition includes the nightmarish art of 36 award-winning artists of all media!  I am really excited about the list of artists we have participating this year, and it is truly an honor to be able to put on a show and exhibit with some of my favorite artists!  View the art online HERE.  Read artist bios HERE 

 
On November 3rd, we held the Exhibition Opening & Artist Reception, and the place was PACKED all night!  Many of the Maleficium artists were in attendance!  Check out the pictures in the slideshow below:
 
Having trouble viewing? View them on my Flickr HERE.


We held a raffle with awesome prizes donated by the artists, and all the proceeds went to Little Friends, Inc, a private, non-profit organization serving children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.  Based in Naperville, Illinois, Little Friends operates 11 dynamic programs including three alternative schools, family support and consultation services, vocational training programs, community-based residential services and the Little Friends Center for Autism.  With everyone's contributions we were able to raise $650 for Little Friends.  Be sure to check out what they do and support this great organization HERE!  Here we are presenting Little Friends with a check for $650.


We have been having quite a few appointments to the gallery to see the show, including a group of 20 senior citizens from the Devonshire of Lisle, and a group of 40 art students from Lyons Township High School!  It is so much fun to share the work of such great artists, and help change the perceptions on what art can be, especially to the youngsters who may one day make a career in art!  Interested in bringing your class or group to tour Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery?  Field Trip Info HERE


If anyone is interested in seeing the art show, please schedule an appointment HERE, or come to the Closing Reception this Saturday December 15th from 7pm to 10pm which is free to the public and open to all! After the 15th, you will still be able to view the art online HERE

Maleficium © Kosart Effects Studios.
Photos © Bear McGivney, and other Respective Photographers.
Artwork © Respective Artists.

Kosar's FRANKENSWINE in SPECTRUM 19 & at Live Show!

After entering Spectrum over the past few years, I finally got a piece in!  Boaris Frankenswine, my life-size monster pig sculpture was accepted into SPECTRUM 19: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art!!  This annual book features the best of the best, artists who I have long admired and studied their work.  I am so incredibly honored and humbled to be included amongst such talent!  As I do all forms of art, many of my paintings and illustrations have received recognition in various international and national competitions, but it is very encouraging that my sculpture now has been recognized.  Thank you so much to Spectrum and all the accomplished judges for this honor!  Be sure to order your copy HERE!  And thank you Bear McGivney for the beautiful pictures he took of my Boaris!



Back in Spring 2012, I exhibited my work at the Spectrum Fantastic Art LIVE in Kansas City, and had Boaris Frankenswine on display.  So far, it was my favorite of all conventions and trade shows I have been to as I had a blast bumping shoulders with some of the finest artists in the industry.  Boaris received a warm welcome from artists and fans alike, and many visitors to the show said Boaris was one of their favorite pieces they saw all weekend!  There is nothing better than having artists like Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, Thomas Kuebler, Tim Bruckner, Travis Louie, Michael Whelan, and more stop to see my monster pig!  Here are some pictures from the event (click to view larger):


Boaris guarding my booth at Spectrum Fantastic Art LIVE 2012.
With legendary artists Boris Vallejo & Julie Bell.
With the amazing artists Brom and his wife Laurielee.

With master painter Donato Giancola.

With internationally renowned artist Iain McCaig.
With Spectrum Grand Master Michael Whelan.
With talented illustrator Mark Nelson of Grazing Dinosaur Press.
With Bobby Chiu, Kei Acedera, and Peter Chan of Imaginism Studios.
Bobby is holding my Squiddles mask with a custom paint job, given to Bobby at the show.
With the "Sculptor of the Bizarre" Thomas Kuebler.

With master sculptor Tim Bruckner.
With monster artist Travis Louie.
With fellow Presidential Monster artist Jason Edmiston.
With my dad, my right hand man!


If you missed the first Spectrum Fantastic Art LIVE, be sure to mark your calendars for Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 2 in Kansas City May 17 to 19, 2013.  More info HERE.  I will be exhibiting there again, bring along a whole new body of work consisting of original sculptures and paintings.  And who knows, Boaris may make another appearance... we'll see ;)


Boaris Frankenswine © J. Anthony Kosar.
Boaris Frankenswine Photo by Bear McGivney.
Spectrum 19 © Cathy Fenner and Arnie Fenner / Spectrum Fantastic Art, LLC.
Artwork in pics © respective artists.

KOSAR in SPLASH 13: The Best of Watercolor!

I am so honored to have had my painting Never Known, Never Forgotten accepted into SPLASH 13: Alternative Approaches.  This annual features the best in watercolor, and includes so many beautiful works of art from so many talented watercolorists!  They say that painting with watercolor is the hardest form of painting as it is an unforgiving media.  Mistakes can not be covered or painted over like other forms of painting due to the transparent quality of watercolor, and once the white of the paper is lost, you can never get it back.  Most watercolorists allow the water to do its thing.  As a hyper-realist, I like to be in complete control of the watercolor.  I feel that controlling watercolor is like controlling the uncontrollable, and that challenge is why I love it!  Thank you to F+W Media, and North Light Books for this honor! 

Be sure to get your copy today HERE.

Never Known, Never Forgotten
by J. Anthony Kosar   14"x11" Watercolor & Gouache on Illustration Board

Looking for a gift for the holidays?  If you are interested in purchasing a pack of greeting cards or a limited edition, signed and numbered giclée print of Never Known, Never Forgotten, please email studio@kosarteffects.com


Never Known, Never Forgotten © J. Anthony Kosar.
Splash 13 © F+W Media.

Featured in Portes Magazine!

Over the summer, I was featured in the first issue of Portes Magazine, a biannual "a celebration of the Best of Everything Greek. Everywhere. Open Doors."  I have always been proud of my Greek heritage, as I am 50% Greek on my Mother's side, and feel honored to be included in the first issue of this beautiful bold magazine!  Thank you to my friend Anthe Mitrakos for an amazing article!  Check out the Portes Magazine website, and if you are Greek, or just love Greek culture, be sure to get a subscription, you won't be disappointed!

Here is my 4 page Article:
(Click images to Enlarge)




Artwork © J. Anthony Kosar.
Portes Magazine & Article © Portes Magazine.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Featured in BLICK Fall Catalog & Blood on the Plain!

Recently, my work was featured in the Blick Fall printed catalog, encouraging artists to "Try Something New" ... and in this case, they are talking about molding and casting.  Featured is the work I did in 2011 on the short film Blood on the Plain by Watercooler Productions where I created the indigenous creatures that slaughter the students at a High School dance.  Check out the feature online HERE and see some of the process of creating these monsters, as well as what materials you can use to create your own!! 

Blick has always been a big supporter of my work, thanks to my friend and fellow artist Kevin Sandstrom!  I used to work at the Blick in Wheaton during college when I would never take home a paycheck (I was buying art supplies to experiment and perfect my craft)!  I have been fortunate to be invited to do demos and appearances at the Blick store and the Blick booth at Wizard Comic Con and C2E2 over the years.  Blick is also one of the sponsors of my FX Classes and Workshops I teach at my studio.  So, I can definitely confirm what their slogan says, "Artists pick Blick!"

For those of you interested, you can watch BLOOD ON THE PLAIN on YouTube HERE
 


And see more pictures of the Making of the
BLOOD ON THE PLAIN Monsters on my website HERE


Sculpt & Process Pictures © J. Anthony Kosar.
Blood on the Plain © Watercooler Productions.
Blick Website image courtesy of Blick Art Materials.

Blog gets a Face-Lift!

Hey everyone.  My apologies for my lack of posts in the past year.  It was been a crazy year, and unfortunately, in my line of work, I can not always share what I am working on until it is officially released by the client.  But be sure that I intend to keep this blog updated with my personal projects from now on, as my personal art is what my main focus is as of late.  So please stay tuned!  Also, to energize my blog posts, I figured it time to give my blog a face-lift, making is nicer, cleaner, neater, and more organized.  Plus, as I have also been creating a new website for Kosart Effects Studios (you can still see the old site HERE), I have been making sure that all my sites have a similar look and feel.  So within the next month, I will introduce you to the new website for Kosart Effects Studios!  All that said, what do you think of the new blog layout?

Image © J. Anthony Kosar.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Sponsored by The MONSTER MAKERS!

Kosart Effects Studios is proud to add THE MONSTER MAKERS to our list of sponsors for our FX Classes!!

The Monster Makers was founded in 1986 when owner Arnold Goldman began selling some basic mask making supplies through the back of Fangoria Magazine. Today, almost twenty two years later, The Monster Makers has grown into one of the leading suppliers of three dimensional Special Effects Materials in the Industry.

I am really excited about this!  Though I have always had a love for monsters and movies, and have been heavily inspired by Stan Winston, Rick Baker, Dick Smith, Jordu Schell, and many others, I owe my getting involved with Special Effects to Arnold Goldman of The Monster Makers.  Back in 2002 when I was only 16, I had the crazy idea of making my very first foam-latex prosthetic, The Zombie.  At that time there was little resource for aspiring make-up and fx artists, and the only resource I could find online was The Monster Makers.  I immediately ordered a catalog and was amazed by the various FX materials offered, and Arnold was always available for guidance.  Arnold walked me through the processes over the next 3 months of sculpting, molding, and casting my very first prosthetic, helping me to make a successful appliance on my first time.


In 2004, my senior year of high school, I took a 2 day seminar in Cleveland, Ohio at The Monster Makers which featured Doug Henderson teaching Make-Up FX (Day 1) and Rick Stern teaching Animatronics (Day 2).  It was a great experience to finally meet Arnold, and I learned a great deal of useful techniques in the creation of FX at this seminar that continued to further my growth in FX.

Without Arnold Goldman's continued guidance, I would never have been able to reach the level in FX I have reached today.

Here is what Arnold says of my classes:

"If you are in the Chicagoland area don't miss your opportunity to learn from one of the best artists around. J. Anthony Kosar is the real deal. And so are his classes. Monster Makers offers our highest endorsement and recommendation for these seminars! You can enroll in a high priced fx program, or you can learn from the best instructor around and not go into debt in the process!"
~ ARNOLD GOLDMAN 
(President of The Monster Makers, Sponsor of KFX Classes)
 
The Monster Makers Logo © The Monster Makers.
The Zombie © 2002 J. Anthony Kosar & Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.
Art & FX works pictured in group photo © respective artists.
All Rights Reserved.

Friday, March 30, 2012

3 Awards in SI-LA's ILLUSTRATION WEST 50

If you are in California, be sure to check out the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles ILLUSTRATION WEST 50 Exhibition taking place at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California!  The opening reception is TONIGHT, March 30th 7pm to 10pm.  I have 4 pieces exhibited in the show, and 3 of them received awards: Gold, Bronze, and an Honorable Mention in the Graphic Novel / Comic Book Category!!!  The show will be up until April 4th, so don't miss it!  If you aren't in California, you can still see everything online on the ILLUSTRATION WEST 50 website.  I am really honored to receive these awards, and I thank SI-LA for the honor!

Here are my 4 pieces in the show:

GOLD AWARD
Between the Lines
12" x 5.75" Digitally Painted in Photoshop 

 
BRONZE AWARD
Run for your Life
12" x 5.75" Digitally Painted in Photoshop 


HONORABLE MENTION
March of the Machines
11" x 17.5" Digitally Painted in Photoshop 


Monster from the Watergate Lagoon
7.3" x 10.85" Photoshop


Illustrations © J. Anthony Kosar 
Characters © & TM their respective owners.
SILA Logo © Society of Illustrators.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Mask Making Student Spotlight: Brian Baity

BRIAN BAITY
(Art of Mask Making - October 2011 Student)

"This would not have been possible without the help of Kosart Effects Studios. For anyone out there that is thinking about taking Anthony's class, go ahead and DO IT! You will walk away with sooo much knowledge." ~ Brian Baity




See Brian's HARLEY QUINN and JOKER masks:


 Enroll in the next ART OF MASK MAKING
by January 22nd!!




 Sundays: Jan 22 & 29 and Feb 5 & 12 
ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: Sun January 22nd

Create, wear, and display your own mask!  In this 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. 


Course Fee: $400 (Tools & Materials Included) 



Harley Quinn & Joker Masks © Brian Baity; Photo courtesy Brian Baity.
Art of Mask Making Image © J. Anthony Kosar & Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Winter ART & FX Classes NOW ENROLLING


____________________________________________________

   
Saturday January 14 & Sunday January 15 
ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: Mon January 9th

In this intense 2-Day workshop taught by artist J. Anthony Kosar, you will learn the professional process and techniques on how to 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 by creating a corrected positive from the original life-cast.  Students will participate by taking turns assisting the instructor during the life-casting processes of the model.  Finally, students will make a life-cast of their own hand that they get to keep!  This workshop consists of demonstration and HANDS-ON learning.  NOTE: students will not be creating their own head life-casts in this seminar, but will be working together on one model.  Be prepared to take notes.
Workshop Fee: $275  (Materials Included)

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 Saturdays: Jan 21 & 28 and Feb 4 & 11 
ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: Mon January 9th
In this 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. 



Course Fee: $425  (Make-Up & Materials Included)



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Sundays: Jan 22 & 29 and Feb 5 & 12 
ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: Sun January 22nd

Create, wear, and display your own mask!  In this 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. 




Course Fee: $400 (Tools & Materials Included) 



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Need a creative gift for the Holidays
or a special occasion?
Kosart Atelier Gift Certificates are a great way to show your support for your loved one's creative interests and aspirations.  Purchaser can choose any amount.  Gift certificates are redeemable by the recipient for enrollment into any classes and/or workshop offered by Kosart Effects Studios on the Kosart Atelier website.  More information HERE
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Images © J. Anthony Kosar & Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.