My Time with the Grandmaster, Frank Frazetta

My Time with the Grandmaster, Frank Frazetta - Watts Weekly

Рет қаралды 87,729

Күн бұрын

Jeff recounts the time he was able to share with Frank Frazetta, stating the impact he has had on his work, and sharing a few funny stories between the two.
VIDEO CHAPTERS:
[00:00] - Intro
[00:40] - Jeff's First Memories of Frazetta's Work
[02:12] - San Diego Comic Con 1995
[04:17] - Ellie Frazetta
[05:11] - Jeff's Demo At His Booth
[09:34] - An Invitation to the Frazetta Residence
[23:00] - Conclusion
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Do you want to improve your figure drawing? Anatomy? Portraits? We would appreciate you stopping by the Watts Atelier website to see all the teaching that we offer. From courses on the Reilly Method, Figure Drawing, Bridgman Anatomy and Structural Drawing to portrait and figure painting we have you covered. Our Online school provides students of all levels with a solid curriculum to follow that will take you from a beginner artist to a highly proficient and if you have the dedication, a professional. Learn from illustrators and artists Jeff Watts, Erik Gist, Lucas Graciano, Ben M. Young, Meadow Gist, Robert Watts and more. We cover a wide variety of materials, mediums and techniques that you can use to help your learning. We hope to see you there!
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Пікірлер: 252

@williamfrazetta 2 жыл бұрын

Hey, Mr. Watts! Thanks for sharing your stories of my grandfather. It helps me to relive my own memories with him, and to get to know him better from another perspective. The way you described him sitting on the floor eating candy while watching a movie is exactly as I remember him-- he just wanted to have fun and enjoy life! Thanks again :)

@mr.e1944 2 жыл бұрын

That is really cool to have so many people know and love your grandfather! Glad you got another reminder of him.

@-davidolivares 2 жыл бұрын

Def the “cool “ uncle, which is what I try to be.

@dplj4428 Жыл бұрын

Although I could mention many more, I was most inspired by the Froud brothers, Frank Frazetta, Moebius, Norman Rockwell, USPS stamp illustrators, and 2 pages of Sunday cartoons.

@skadbone Жыл бұрын

your grandfather was the man! " Painting with Fire,", very inspirational , GiD Bless, Craig

@mikeliterus4611 10 ай бұрын

You're grandfather painted with real magic.

@FrazettaGirls 2 жыл бұрын

Great memories, Jeff! Please come back to this location for a visit - The Boca Grande Frazetta Art Museum reopens February 2022.

@karensielski4159 2 жыл бұрын

Let me start by saying i live in Rotonda West which is only 15 min to Boca Grande. Frazetta is one of my fav's as well, and i happened to watch this about 2 months ago and saved it. flash forward to early this month when i took my visiting college roomie over to Boca Grande and we parked and were walking around and JUST happened to walk down this street and she says to me, look a art museum (I'm an artist now able to do it full time :-)] and as i look at the sign, I can't believe my eyes...THE MUSEUM THAT JEFF IS TALKING ABOUT ( albeit the town is a bit built up now)...it was freaking awesome .. i have a pix to prove it, i just can't figure out how to insert it here. I will be back since i live so close !!! thanks for all this special stuff ( and hey, i am a native NY'er as well)

@mattbarroccu9690 5 күн бұрын

Love this story. Appreciate you sharing

@brot5246 2 жыл бұрын

I had the pleasure of visiting the Frank Frazetta museum in East Stroudsburg, PA about 20 years ago, I did not meet Frank but I did met his wonderful wife "Ellie" , who was so friendly, she talked of Franks camera collection and I have memories of my little boy playing in Franks turtle pond.

@anthonyw2931 2 жыл бұрын

man, I'm jealous.

@marks9140 Жыл бұрын

That's interesting. I also had visited the museum when Frank was still alive but not well. His wife was there and was complaining about how he had traded some of his paintings for some camera equipment. She was pretty annoyed by it. I'm so grateful to have seen so much of his collection in one place when it was still intact. I just wish I had been able to meet the Man himself - he has been such an icon for me.

@timcummings6581 Жыл бұрын

The reason I started reading the Conan stories was because of the Frazetta covers. Once I got into the stories I felt the pairing of Robert E. Howard & Frank Frazetta was perfect. Both were powerful in their crafts. The later Conan books written from incomplete manuscripts/notes by ghost writers didn't compare to Howard's work and the covers by other artists were lacking as well.

@mikeliterus4611 10 ай бұрын

Same here man. I was 12 when I first saw a Conan novel and the art is what caught my eye. I bought the book and then ended up collecting all of Robert E. Howard's novels. I have been a fan ever since.

@jeffgrimes7590 2 жыл бұрын

I would kill for those books.

@celebrity347 2 жыл бұрын

I think I've never seen Jeff so exited jajajaj. Great Watts Weekly!

@paintapps6293 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, usually sounds like he has a stick up his butt

@erickdraws9563 2 жыл бұрын

@@paintapps6293 lol why do you think that?

@iurivanastacio3081 2 жыл бұрын

@@paintapps6293 lol

@crisjunfan2139 2 жыл бұрын

I think one of the great things about this experience is that it happened pre-smartphone and pre-social media. People who have their phones practically surgically attached will never know how great it is to be fully present in a great moment and be able to recall it more vividly than if they were preoccupied with taking pictures and videos. Not to mention the ability to look back and laugh at being lost. Thanks Jeff.

@cha5 2 жыл бұрын

I remember several years back our local Austin Texas Wizard World convention was having a display of some original Frazetta paintings were on display in a separate gallery there. I took my eight year old nephew to see them. and although he was into TLOTR and Harry Potter, This was his first exposure to Frazetta's art and he was amazed at seeing the original Death Dealer, and Egyptian Queen among many other works there and he just couldn't get enough of seeing Frazetta's masterpieces while he was there.

@martyemmons3100 10 ай бұрын

I remember seeing a few pen and ink pieces of characters from "Lord of the Rings" that Frank Frazetta had made. The one I remember vividly is Gollum. Frazetta had Gollum paddling on what looked like a leaf across a lake or pond. It seems to me that Frank enjoyed (loved) to create images.

@MidnightAmerican 2 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful recounting Jeff. Frazetta fan here, and now a fan of yours as well. Enjoyed the hell out of the whole video. Inspiring and fun. Thank you so much!

@RocketeerAndRoll 11 ай бұрын

I love Frank's frankness. It was one of his best qualities.

@JackbenImbel2274 Жыл бұрын

I know this video is aging, but I'm glad it's up on the web. Having never met the man and only studying his art to improve fluid technique in my pencils, it's wonderful to hear stories from people who were there and actually interacted with this man while he was alive. Thank you.

@Superflow66 2 жыл бұрын

My apprentice is best friends with Frank’s granddaughter and we are luckily 5 minutes from his Museum. The paintings are amazing in person I’m thankful to be able to go see them that easily. All the best and great art work yourself to 👍 Great story

@nicolebacon3230 2 жыл бұрын

I lived in Stroudsburg from 86 on till late 2000's and i Loved!! going to Frazetta's in East burg especially right before Holloween.

@karengrandpre9557 2 жыл бұрын

Frazetta one of my very favorite artists next to Sergei Bonart.

@gregfields6460 2 жыл бұрын

Inspirational.

@NotThatBob 2 жыл бұрын

As a kid I remember copying his work all the time. Others copied Frank's style but he was the master.

@mikehuhman3249 Жыл бұрын

Wow what a cool story on how you meet Frank. I have been a fan since I was a young boy. I'm 53 now wear did my life go 🤔? Great video thank you! Keep doing your great work. I mean great art. Thank you again

@guely55 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! What a story. Lucky you. Great storytelling , by the way. Gretings from Sweden!!

@123youknowme 2 жыл бұрын

A great story needs a great storyteller. What a wonderful time I had listening to you talk about your time with the legendary Frazetta. Thanks for sharing.

@BrandonWorkshop 2 жыл бұрын

a good Frazetta story, thanks Jeff.

@stevesloan5935 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Frazetta is #1

@LouCostaDesign 2 жыл бұрын

My dad and I visited Frank's museum in PA together when I was in college. It was an incredible, transformative experience to visit the museum. Driving through the property and driving past the mammoth-sized sculptures of reptiles from his work was incredible and the little pond in front of the museum made it feel like you were really in one of his paintings. It was truly immersive. Frank arrived to the museum right before we got there - turns out that this was 1 of the 3 days he visited his own museum that year alone. We walked around the museum for 30 minutes and he gave us his own tour; showed us his work, told us what he was thinking or what was going on when he painted certain pieces. I have his signature on a little piece of cardboard I brought with me - he signed it with his right hand too - which if anyone knows the facts, he lost motor skill in his right hand and needed to learn to draw with his left hand after a former stroke. My dad and I made the trip to Frazetta's after I decided to re-learn animation, and similar to your story - I would say there was a moment of reflection to say, "I'm on the right path" as well after meeting him.

@TimothyONeill_84. 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing your experience with Frank Frazetta

@mdeboer6453 Жыл бұрын

Love this story, hence I'm listening to it a 2nd time a year later

@B_Cojones 24 күн бұрын

For me, its the sparking off your peers- so special when it happens.

@OfficialComentery Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the story. Great to hear about your adventure.

@awabooks9886 3 ай бұрын

The 'Florida Creep' hasn't changed! 😅 Wonderful memory of Frank, thank you

@appidydafoo Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your memories

@KennyGsca 2 жыл бұрын

I'm only 6mins and 40 secs in, and i gotta say I LOVE these types of Stories, and I could honestly listen ALL DAY, im lookin a t the time line on this video already going "No, don't end keep telling these Art stories :)" these are the best, thanks for Sharing Jeff....now back to the video :P

@emilewinkelaar8824 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this great story!

@thefriendlyaspie7984 2 жыл бұрын

thanks so much for sharing this beautiful experiences of yours :)

@steelbat54 2 жыл бұрын

I was engrossed. Great remembrances. Frazetta has been legend to me from the first time I saw his work which was in the mid sixties on the Conan paperbacks. I was always amazed at his style. Still have my trades of his works. I would bet his Death Dealer has been copied umpteen times. Me included. Thanks for relating your experience with the master... 👍

@andersbackstrom Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Yoiu’re a wonderful storyteller! My childhood icon has suddenly grown even larger in esteem and respect.

@thanksfernuthin 9 ай бұрын

Wow... WOW!!! What a story! I can only imagine. In situations similar to that I try to put myself in the "master's" shoes. It's hard. When people are just heaping praise on you it's very difficult if you have a healthy psyche. On the other hand, when a man reaches that rarified air one of the most fulfilling and pleasurable rewards of that success is to mentor and encourage the next generation in your field. It's that unique phase in life where competition gives way to sharing. The battles are over, the wars have been won and you put down your weapons. The next generations swarm around you desperate to hear the stories and glean the invaluable information. Identifying and encouraging the best that come after is a sublime gift. Life's gold retirement watch. I say men because that's the only thing I can speak of with any level of accuracy having met many and entered that phase myself. Women in that situation may react the same or totally different. All I know is it's likely different. Maybe better. If women would like to correct me or enlighten me I look forward to it.

@rancosteel 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite painting of his was the poster for the film The Gauntlet.

@hurdygurdyguy1 2 жыл бұрын

13:26 ... ha ha! My wife and I still use Rand McNally maps! To spend time with the Frazettas in Florida... wow, just wow!

@svengurren21 Жыл бұрын

Mr Watts,Wow what an incredible story,He is my hero and mentor as well,I grew up in the 70s drawing and his art just grabbed me and I told myself this is how I want to illustrate with such realism and his sense of anatomy was truly amazing,So I would study his art and mimic his style and it totally helped me with my illustrations, now I can draw my own women,dirty sweaty barbarians with tarnished armor, monsters and creatures,I have piles of stuff, would love to show you and maybe you could tell me how to go about putting my illustrations out there and maybe some pointers on my own art, thank you very much and for sharing your story with Frank...

@desertgamers6065 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing this.

@anthonyw2931 2 жыл бұрын

" ...maybe you'll be the next Frazetta..." 😄😂...and from the mouth of The Jeff Watts! Jeff, I think you make Frazetta proud with your work

@rickytoddbotelho9555 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely fantastic video.

@FestaNoYoutubiu 2 ай бұрын

Great storytelling!

@mikemees9918 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful story, thank you

@michaelkeropian2954 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic story. Wrote many thank you letters to him for inspiring me to take my art to a professional level. I met Ellie a couple times. Appreciate your time passing on the story.

@edwardduarte7393 2 жыл бұрын

BTW when you are in Florida it feels like you are in the Twilight Zone. I was pretty young when I bought The Conan the Warrior paperback and later started reading the Savage Sword Series. I still love them till this day. Great stories. I like how Frazetta would keep his golf clubs next to his easel. I golf too.

@DANTHETUBEMAN 2 жыл бұрын

What a adventure.

@marshallross3373 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! What a rare and invaluable experience to have had. It would be one thing to simply meet FF, but to have lunch and dinner with him, a personal tour, and a extended critique of your work, that really is a treasured gift. One regret I have in life is not making my way somehow to the Frazetta Museum. At least I can live a little vicariously through your storytelling. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

@1Ma9iN8tive 2 жыл бұрын

Great story telling. I’m 53. I grew up loving Frazetta art and Conan themes. Respects from New Zealand.

@edvilla1086 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this story.

@Meckiffe1976 5 ай бұрын

Lovely story; not just about the man, but incisive about the fleeting opportunities of youth and the need to run with them and appreciate them if we are lucky enough to encounter them. Thanks.

@souldiver6620 2 жыл бұрын

Arguing with a Italian over food! 😂 Good story thank you!

@stevenswm9844 Жыл бұрын

I'm very happy for You! As with so many, Frazetta is my all-time favorite artist! What a truly great experience and Golden Memory to be blessed with! If it would have been Me, lucky enough to have been in your situation, I would have done only one thing differently...I would have taken that Pickled Egg! If they're done right, they can be fabulous, and I'll bet that was a good one! 🙂

@johnny-mnemonic13 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this amazing story. Frazetta is my favorite artist and the reason I got serious into art. That part where you said 'Frank is like Sinatra, he did it his way" pretty much sums up Frazetta!

@octonolite_0 Жыл бұрын

Great story and you painted it so vividly with humor and enthusiasm. Thanks for bringing us as close as most of us will ever get to the best to ever do it.

@MS-kr6ku Жыл бұрын

I never got the chance to meet Frank, but he's been my hero since 70s. Thanks for sharing your experience..

@roathripper 2 жыл бұрын

great story Jeff! important message there about following your gut instinct.

@Drumaier 2 жыл бұрын

This was a ride (in time), thanks a lot for sharing this!! And maybe you didn't see a dinosaur but you met 🐐

@bobrutan4735 2 жыл бұрын

Great history.... thanks for sharing

@ordazmin 2 жыл бұрын

Wow Jeff!! .... I always knew that you were a big fan of Him, but I had no idea that you were able to experience all of that!! amazing!! Frazetta is my "most" favorite Artist Ever! Thank you for this incredible story. This is Benjamin, Remember me? lol!

@darioscomicschool1111 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this one!

@pjartworksPatrickJJones 2 ай бұрын

Hey, Jeff, this is such a great story. Thanks for sharing!

@bobturano1247 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you.. this was great I'm a big fan

@ArnoldRamirezAxistrizero 2 жыл бұрын

Damn you are so lucky! I'd probably go for that adventure too if I'd meet Frank Frazetta. It would be my most amazing time of life to see in person my greatest art influence!

@peterruban2860 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jeff for sharing Frank was a big influence for me when I was a younger man

@patrickmullane30 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this! Night of the Hunter! One of my favorite movies. I truly treasure this whole story.

@Scott-jf1nh 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the story! It was great.

@vp_wrld Жыл бұрын

Wow, this is so awesome! That’s one hell of a story

@grokeffer6226 Жыл бұрын

Great story!! 🎨🖌

@artgod888 Жыл бұрын

Great Vid. Last year my wife and I got to visit the Frazetta museum in Connecticut. Had a great visit with Frank Jr. and his wife and daughter. Frank gave us a full tour of the place and was full of stories and answered my many questions. For any lover of painting and illustration, it is a must visit. Wish I could have met him in life, but when I draw and paint, I think of him and feel his spirit guiding my hand with the love of creation

@hr3800 Жыл бұрын

Amazing story!!!

@zebposada 2 жыл бұрын

Really nice to listen to Jeff's experiences and stories. So cool to see masters enjoy the same artists you do.

@jamesclukey7488 2 жыл бұрын

Great story about your meeting and spending time with the legend, Frank Frazetta ! Glad you followed your heart. There are times in our lives that we are directed to meet with others, and I'm glad you took the opportunity ! He certainly sounded like a gracious host and someone that was fun to be around. I'm very happy for you, and enjoyed your retelling of the experience with this great man. One in a million chance ! The world will miss him.

@coopart1 2 жыл бұрын

I started my drawing interest copying Frazetta in early 70s ! I still to this day will master copy him too learn. Most recently , moth man. This was great to watch thanks for your story !

@johndoe-fq7ez 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the time stamps man

@omegaredtooth5104 2 жыл бұрын

That’s so freakin awesome. Thanks for sharing this story, Jeff!

@JeffreyKahnartist 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeff. I enjoyed your enthusiasm and hearing in your gratitude. I met your dad once or twice many years ago. He was a kind soul.

@danecory1236 11 ай бұрын

A couple years ago my wife and I visited the Frank Frazetta art museum in East Stroudsburg, PA and it was a wonderful experience. Got to meet some of his family and they were so awesome. Bought some art and a nice book. I so wanted to by one of the Conan books on display but they were not for sale. One day I wish to read one of those. His art is incredible.

@sovereignruler 2 жыл бұрын

Frank Frazetta was one of my artistic heroes if you will, and one of the very reasons I got into doing artwork. He, Steve Ditko, John Romita Sr., John Buscema, and the late great Jack Kirby were my gods. Still are to this day. Thanks for sharing Jeff. It definitely brought back memories of when I fell in love with their artwork. Happy holidays!

@anima6035 Жыл бұрын

I seriously need a Jeff Watts ghost storytime!!

@TinRoofVintage Жыл бұрын

What a beautiful story about Mr. Frazetta, thank you for sharing.

@kevinnoel9024 2 жыл бұрын

You're the man, Mr. Watts. Thanks for sharing your experience with us the public. I have been tremendously blessed by your demos and expansive knowledge base talks references. Blessings from the Creator and this Caribbean national.

@chiptenor 2 жыл бұрын

Great, great story, Jeff! I was really into it. The way you told it with so much passion, as you remembered it, was wonderful. I found myself literally visualizing what you experienced, as you told it, in your meeting with Frank Frazetta. Those types of experiences in any of our lives are 'hallmarks' we can't ever forget. Thank you for sharing it.

@TDuD3 2 жыл бұрын

That was beautiful, thank you for sharing it! I needed that.

@phipsart6424 2 жыл бұрын

oh man this was so nice to listen to!!

@jacquelineminer3899 2 жыл бұрын

What a great story, thank you for sharing. I have always been a big fan of Frazetta’s work. Hearing your story made my day.

@robchope5205 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing!

@yogeshp2k3 2 жыл бұрын

Loved every bit of this video

@minohkim1727 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment. I love watching all of the Atelier videos :D

@logan3586 2 жыл бұрын

love this. thanks for sharing

@EddyfyingArt 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for such an awesome story!

@bree2680 2 жыл бұрын

You're a great storyteller!

@phillipmurphy842 2 жыл бұрын

Marvelous Jeff ! Thank you for this recollection of encountering the great man.

@oliverscreations 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this and it did bring a smile to my face. What an experience you had.

@chetzar 2 жыл бұрын

That was so great. Thanks for sharing!

@Jimbo5900 8 ай бұрын

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing your story.

@Moruss79 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your experience, I agree about the way things work out at times to push you forward when you are uncertain. Experienced it myself and looking back I'm still baffled.