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Al Hirschfeld on YouTube

Here’s a real treat, Al Hirschfeld’s grandson has posted this video to YouTube of the master himself creating a drawing of Paul Newman (in character for a production of Our Town). The highlights: extreme close-ups of Al’s inkwell, his signature being written, and one of his trademark NINAs being drawn into the folds of Newman’s shirt.

  • http://www.joelkimmel.com/ Joel Kimmel

    Great video. I never imagined that Hirshfeld’s great, smooth lines would be drawn so scratchily.

  • http://www.joelkimmel.com Joel Kimmel

    Great video. I never imagined that Hirshfeld’s great, smooth lines would be drawn so scratchily.

  • http://www.bunchofmonkeys.com/ David Huyck

    Thank you John! That was amazing! I have an interview that Art Spiegelman did with Al Hirschfeld in an inssue of The Comics Journal that I can’t seem to locate right now (Winter Special 2004?). I fell in love with his drawings when I read that, and now this video has brought tears to my eyes, to watch the master work at 99 years old!

    “I’ll stop whenever you tell me to stop.”
    “Stop.”
    [draw draw draw...]

    LOVE IT!

  • http://www.bunchofmonkeys.com/ David Huyck

    Thank you John! That was amazing! I have an interview that Art Spiegelman did with Al Hirschfeld in an inssue of The Comics Journal that I can’t seem to locate right now (Winter Special 2004?). I fell in love with his drawings when I read that, and now this video has brought tears to my eyes, to watch the master work at 99 years old!

    “I’ll stop whenever you tell me to stop.”
    “Stop.”
    [draw draw draw...]

    LOVE IT!

  • http://www.ryansnook.com/ Ryan Snook

    That was really wonderful to watch!

  • http://www.ryansnook.com Ryan Snook

    That was really wonderful to watch!

  • http://www.jaymontgomery.blogspot.com/ jaymontgomery

    Wow! Very cool! I want more more more!

  • http://www.jaymontgomery.blogspot.com jaymontgomery

    Wow! Very cool! I want more more more!

  • http://www.secretsimon.com/ signalite

    Haha! One could only hope to be as finicky at 99…

  • http://www.secretsimon.com signalite

    Haha! One could only hope to be as finicky at 99…

  • mark attack

    I hope i’ll still be drawing at 99… only 80 years to go!
    Great video.

  • mark attack

    I hope i’ll still be drawing at 99… only 80 years to go!
    Great video.

  • ambassdor

    man, his wife buggin him about dinner… don’t she know not to interrupt the master? guess he knows not to upset the wife

  • ambassdor

    man, his wife buggin him about dinner… don’t she know not to interrupt the master? guess he knows not to upset the wife

  • http://coisasdasa.blogspot.com Sabrina Eras

    this video is amazing!!!
    is so funny when she calls him for dinner…rsrsrs

  • http://coisasdasa.blogspot.com/ Sabrina Eras

    this video is amazing!!!
    is so funny when she calls him for dinner…rsrsrs

  • http://elnegromagnifico.blogspot.com El Negro Magnifico

    That was actually exhilarating to watch! The line master at work.

  • http://elnegromagnifico.blogspot.com El Negro Magnifico

    That was actually exhilarating to watch! The line master at work.

  • wychwood

    In the age of digital art & Photoshop, it’s refreshing and inspiring to see an old time traditional artist at work. I’ve always enjoyed Hirschfield stuff.

  • wychwood

    In the age of digital art & Photoshop, it’s refreshing and inspiring to see an old time traditional artist at work. I’ve always enjoyed Hirschfield stuff.

  • http://www.comingupforair.net Matt

    Priceless.

  • http://www.comingupforair.net/ Matt

    Priceless.

  • http://www.koaxikona.com/ Lemez

    that video is great.

  • http://www.koaxikona.com Lemez

    that video is great.

  • calaverius

    Totally awesome.
    Does anyone know what kind of pen he’s using?

  • calaverius

    Totally awesome.
    Does anyone know what kind of pen he’s using?

  • underwoodwriter

    I think its a Gillot 1945 pen nib… I might be mistaken.

  • underwoodwriter

    I think its a Gillot 1945 pen nib… I might be mistaken.