Joshua Hoffine - Horror Photography Book

Less than 55 hours left to pre-order the JOSHUA HOFFINE Horror Photography book via the already successful Kickstarter campaign! My friend and frequent collaborator, the world renown horror photographer Joshua Hoffine, is releasing an epic horror book collection of all his career of amazingly dark photography through Dark Regions Press, many of which feature the makeup and FX work of Yours Truly! 

 

If he gets to $45K, he will do not one but TWO more horror photograph collaborations with Kosart Studios both utilizing Joshua's frequent model Bob Barber who we turned into the Boogeyman for his short film Black Lullaby! The photographs will be Devil's Mug Shot, and with the $45K stretch goal, the second will be Nosferatu!!  Concepts for both photos are below.

  
What also makes it special and why he needs $45k to do both of these photos is because it will be Bob's final time modeling for Joshua due to Bob's health. So let's make Bob's swan song something special by turning him into Nosferatu, and making him into something terrifyingly awesome one last time!

 

Go to Kickstarter.com and pre-order your copy of the book TODAY to make Joshua's and Bob's NIGHTMARES come true! You can support the KickStarter campaign HERE

 

Thanks again for your continued support!

#TeamKosart at Walker Stalker Chicago!

Meet Award-Winning Artist and Kosart Founder J. Anthony Kosar (Face Off 4 Champion), along with Kosart Artists / Instructors Anna Cali (Face Off 10 Contestant) and Jamie Leodones (Face Off 8 Contestant) at the Kosart Booth ALL WEEKEND at Walker Stalker Chicago 2016 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL!  We will be doing LIVE ZOMBIE MUFX DEMOS, sale on PPI Make-Up products for all your ZOMBIEFICATION needs, a sale on the Kosart PHANTOM Pro Airbrush, some masks and art prints, and of course, autographs and FREE Photo Ops!  Learn about our ART and FX Classes, and come join the fun!

More info HERE

Happy Halloween 2014!

FREE MONSTER MASK GIVE-AWAY

Enter the FREE Kosart Effects 2014 Halloween MONSTER MASK GIVE-AWAY!  4 Masks, 3 Social Networks, 4 Chances to WIN!  One Mask raffled off each week from now until Halloween!  Masks Signed by Mask Designer / Sculptor / Face Off Champion J. Anthony Kosar!  Win LION on Twitter ending 10/10.  Win SATANIC PANIC on Facebook ending 10/17.  Win BITE YOUR TONGUE on Instagram ending 10/24.  Win GARGOYLE on Facebook ending 10/31.  Here is how to enter in 3 simple steps:

RULES:

STEP 1:  Follow / LIKE page @KOSARTeffects on Specified Social Network: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

STEP 2:  Like / Favorite this Contest Image Post on Specified Social Network.

STEP 3: Share, ReTweet, or RePost Contest Image to your Friends / Followers and be sure to Mention @KOSARTeffects and Tag post with #KosartMaskGiveAway

Winners selected at random by searching the tag #KosartMaskGiveAway on the specified Social Network.  One winner selected from Twitter on 10/11 for Lion Mask.  One winner selected from Facebook on 10/18 for Satanic Panic Mask. One winner selected from Instagram on 10/25 for Bite Your Tongue Mask.  One final winner selected from Facebook on 11/1 for Gargoyle Mask.  You can enter ALL four contests on all three social networks, or you can just enter one. It’s up to you!

Masks designed and sculpted by J. Anthony Kosar for Zagone Studios.
Masks © J. Anthony Kosar & Zagone Studios, LLC. 

KOSART ATELIER at FLASHBACK WEEKEND

Be sure to stop by the Kosart Atelier booth at Flashback Weekend THIS WEEKEND Aug 8-10, 2014 for enrollment information for Chicagoland's premier School for Entertainment Arts, founded by Face Off Season 4 Champion J. Anthony Kosar!  We are the only Make-Up FX School to have 2 students competing on Face Off, Dina and Scott!

Click HERE for more information on Flashback Weekend!

 

Face Off Episode 507 Critique

As we are gearing up to watch tonight's episode of Face Off, here it my critique from last week's episode 7 of season 5 on Syfy.com.

In this episode, the one and only Mistress of the Dark, Elvira drops in for the Foundation Challenge in which artists had to create a younger, hip, edgy version of herself.  I feel that Roy was the only one who met all aspects of this challenge, and I fully agree with his victory.  I also really liked Laura's foundation challenge, and felt is was beautiful and should have been on the cover of a fashion magazine, or walking down a runway.  Even though I really liked Laura's, there was nothing "Elvira" about it.

For the Spotlight Challenge, the contestants had to create a character that can live within an iconic art movement: Cubism, Surrealism, Pop Art, Expressionism, or Constructivism.  This is a challenge based on what I love: Art History.  Personally, I feel about half of the artists did not understand the particular art movement they selected.  For instance, Alana's character could fit better in the world of Cubism rather than Constructivism.  Eddie selected Expressionism, yet chose Van Gogh, a Post Impressionist to influence his character design.  The victor, Laura, understood her art movement, and created a stunning character with bold shapes and colors that looked like it walked right out of a Cubism painting.  As an artist, though I do not like Cubism or Picasso, I loved Laura's character and would say that it is my favorite character make-up Laura created in both her Season 3 and thus far Season 5.  I also want to note that I really enjoyed Frank's character as well, and felt his not only should have been in top looks, but would have been a close second to Laura's make-up.  Frank's character not only fit the theme and his art movement, but he was the only artist to create a background attached to the model, so that his make-up was not just a figure on a blank white canvas, it was a full composition filling the frame.

Overall, I feel most of the make-ups were amazing, and it was a fun challenge to watch.  I definitely wish we had a challenge like this on my season!

Be sure to send in your viewer questions for me to answer during these web critiques on the Face Off Facebook page HERE, and watch me critique all the odd numbered episodes of Season 5, returning to critique episode 9.  Also, during the episodes all season long on Tuesdays at 9/8c, tweet LIVE with me on Twitter @KOSARTeffects to show our support of the contestants and cheer them on as we all watch together!

Get Ready for HALLOWEEN the KOSART Way!

Art of Make-Up FX
Saturdays: Sept 21, 28, Oct 19, 26
Enroll by Monday Sept 9

Art of Mask Making
Sundays: Sept 22, 29, Oct 20, 27
Enroll by Sunday Sept 22

 MORE INFO AT

www.KosartAtelier.com

KOSAR at MASK-FEST Sept 6-8

Visit me at MASK-FEST held at HORRORHOUND Weekend from September 6-8 in Indianapolis, IN at the Marriott Indianapolis East Hotel.  I will have several of my masks and sculptures for sale, as well some prints of my artwork available.  PLUS, traveling with me is my one and only BOARIS FRANKENSWINE!  So come and meet me and Boaris in person! I am really excited to attend my first ever Mask Fest.  There will be many amazing artists in the industry there as well, including the amazing Jordu Schell, Ed Edmunds, Robert Kurtzman, and my Face Off friends House, Becky Ingram, and Autumn Cook.  Hope to see you there!

 

Mask Fest poster image courtesy Mask Fest.

Boaris Frankenswine Design & Sculpt © 2011 J. Anthony Kosar & Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.

Boaris Frankenswine Photo by Bear McGivney.

Face Off Episode 501 Critique

Syfy has asked me to critique the episodes of Face Off, along with Season 2 winner Rayce Bird.  I will be doing all the odd numbered episodes.  As we gear up to watch the 2nd episode of Face Off Season 5 tonight at 9/8c to support Eric Zapata and the rest of the contestant's here is my critique of last week's Season 5 premiere episode.

Be sure to tune in tonight to Syfy.com/faceoff after the show to hear what Rayce has to say about the second episode, and be sure to tune in next week to hear my critique of episode 3!

Also, during the episodes all season long on Tuesdays at 9/8c, tweet LIVE with me on Twitter @KOSARTeffects to show our support of the contestants and cheer them on as we all watch together!

2 Shows, 1 Weekend: WIZARD & FLASHBACK

Be sure to stop by for the DC Comic JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #16 featuring my winning Super Hero Make-up Design from Face Off Season 4, THE INFERNAL CORE!  I will also have some signed prints, original sketches, t-shirts, sculptures, and other goodies!  Also, ask about our ART OF FX Classes taught at Kosart Atelier!

Face Off photos by Brett-Patrick Jenkins and Nicole Wilder-Shattuck, courtesy of Syfy.  

Infernal Core Comic Art courtesy DC Comics.

Wizard Logo & Flashback Logo © their respective owners.

Kosar Headshot © Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.  

Happy New Year from KFX!!

For class dates and times, visit KosartAtelier.com

Smokey Joe and the Inferno © J. Anthony Kosar.

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 

Kurt Andersen - Kyle Bice - Tim Bruckner - Brian Busch
Peter Chan - Melita "MissMonster" Curphy - Dave Dorman
Jason Edmiston - Aron Gagliardo - Noel Gonzalez - Joshua Hoffine

Tom Herzberg - Douglas Klauba - Rich Klink - J. Anthony Kosar
Richard Kryczka - Joseph Lester - Travis Lewis - Darick Maasen
Matthew McCarty - Barrett McGivney - Aaron Miller
Blake Packard - Jim Pavelec - Vincent Proce - Bill Reinhold
Linda Lessmann Reinhold - David Richardson - Alex Ross
Chad Savage - Jordu Schell - The Shiflett Brothers
Tim Shumate - Jill Thompson - Ivan Unwin

 
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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Interior from The Spider: The Iron Man War

12" x 5.75" Digitally Painted in Photoshop 

 

BRONZE AWARD

Run for your Life

Interior from The Spider: The Iron Man War 

12" x 5.75" Digitally Painted in Photoshop 

HONORABLE MENTION

March of the Machines

Back Cover from The Spider: The Iron Man War 

11" x 17.5" Digitally Painted in Photoshop 

Monster from the Watergate Lagoon

From Presidential Monsters

7.3" x 10.85" Photoshop

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

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) 

 ENROLL HERE

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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Winter ART & FX Classes NOW ENROLLING

Visit our new FX class website: KOSART ATELIER

____________________________________________________

   

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)

 ENROLL HERE

____________________________________________________

 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)

 ENROLL HERE

 ____________________________________________________

 

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) 

 ENROLL HERE

  ____________________________________________________ 

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

  ____________________________________________________ 

Images © J. Anthony Kosar & Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.

All Rights Reserved.

 

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.