| The
contents of this site remain © 1999 by Bob Staake, or of
the Estate Of Karl Hubenthal - All Rights Reserved. No portion
of this web site may be used without the consent of the copyright
owners. |
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| An Internet
Tribute to One of the All-Time Great Cartoonists |
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| Bold, graphic, and always with a strong sense
of engaging composition, Hubenthal began his professional career
as an illustrator. Even when he was best-known for his editorial
and sports cartoons, Hubenthal would occassionally accept freelance
illustration assignments from (primarily sports-related) clients
-- ranging from the Los
Angeles Dodgers
to Hollywood
Park Racetrack. |
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Dramatic lighting, expansive compositional
play, and Hubenthal's uncanny understanding of anatomy makes
this illustration of a Harlem Globetrotter almost come to life. |
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When
it came to sports, Hubenthal seemed to most enjoy drawing on
football -- both college and professional -- presumably because
the subject matter was perfectly suited to his high-energy, lots-of-action
brand of graphic cartooning. As inventive and ahead of its time
(1961) the "Rams vs. Browns" type treatment is, it
is doubtful that Hubenthal created the lettering. It all probability,
it was probably added after the illustration was put in place. |
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Herald-Examiner TV Guide cover (circa 1966) caricature
illustration of Fred Astaire. Illustrating in watercolor and
gouache , upon retirement, Hubenthal ultimately turned to fine
painting in oils. |
A
1961 "spread" illustration, Hubenthal would have found
it essential for the right portion of the art to "work"
as a cover, and when opened, the left side to make the illustration
read as an 11"x17" spread. Hubenthal's character developmental
abilities are obvious in the inset detail of the two (then) Oakland Raiders facing off againt
the singular San
Diego Charger. |
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Even on illustration assignments, Hubenthal
invariably drew on his conceptualizing skills as a cartoonist
to create illustration art that almost always included a sight
"gag", in this case the gleeful winning horse bettors,
and the losing bettor who angrily watches his pony bring up the
rear. This Hubenthal illustration appeared on the cover of the
Hollywood
Park
Official Program, April 24 - July 20, 1981 |
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| It's worthy to note that the cover of this
1966 photo annual is not illustrated by a photo, but instead
a gag-driven Hubenthal illustration. When working in color, rarely
did Hubenthal stray from a multi-colored palette, but here it
is obvious he could create strong, graphic design while employing
black, whites, and hues of green with white highlights. |
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