Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase Thirteen

Sorry I took so long to post these last photos of my Fool guitar painting project!  No excuses for a lazy blogger.

Bruce Diamond had commissioned me to paint a copy (front only) of this famous psychedelic-1960's-Clapton-Cream-dream guitar.

When I finished the complex painting in my studio (see previous posts) and applied one protective coating on the guitar, Bruce took it home and spray coated the final clear finishes.

He brought it back with the pickups, hardware, and strings installed so I could take pictures.
 

Looks awesome, I must say!  (I rock.)

This not-for-the-faint-of-heart task was an enjoyable journey for me through art and music history.

Now Bruce's son Luke gets to play the Fool.

Luke Diamond plays The Fool

Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase Twelve

How did this art project come about?

Bruce Diamond and I met playing around town together in various bands.  Bruce is not only a versatile musician, but he also makes a living as an instrument dealer for his business Diamond Strings.

He discovered I was an artist.  I mentioned to him that I could paint artwork on guitars.  He said he had the perfect project for me and asked if I would be interested in painting a replica of Eric Clapton's famous Cream Fool SG, circa 1967.

Beth Brown and Bruce Diamond

How could I refuse such an interesting and challenging commission?  It was right up my alley artistically and musically.  So that's how it all started, folks!
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Now that the painted psychedelic artwork on the guitar is finished, I'll feel better if I put a clearcoat on it before it leaves my studio.  Don't want any accidental scratches on all the hard work I've done!!!  Bruce will apply more coats to further protect it when he gets the guitar home.

I'll start with the pickguard.

I'm brushing it on rather than spraying it.  I do not like to breathe fine spray vapor, thanks very much.

I'm using a product I'm familiar with, Zar fast-drying polyurethane Clear Antique Flat.  I've used it before on many other painting projects.  It has a slight yellow tint to it.  This will help to make the guitar appear a bit yellow with age.

I've carefully taped blue painter's tape around the headstock and under the guitar body to prevent the polyurethane from dripping over the edges of the painted artwork.  The tape can be peeled off after the poly dries for a nice clean edge.

The flat polyurethane may look glossy when it goes on, but when it dries it will not have much of a sheen.  Bruce will apply a heavy duty gloss finish later on.

 Okay, the guitar has dried overnight.  

 I contacted Bruce to come and pick up his guitar.  Here he is pictured with the finished product!

Bruce Diamond with his very own Fool SG

He will take it home and spray numerous coats of gloss polyurethane on it, then attach the hardware, strings, etc.  I hope he will bring it back so I can get more photos of the completed piece.  

I am so glad to have played a starring role in Bruce Diamond's long awaited Fool Guitar dream-come-true!!!  It's been an arduous journey, but a great learning experience and an artistic notch in my belt.

Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase Eleven

Okay, okay!  I've procrastinated long enough!  The intimidation of the pickguard got the best of me!

I finally mustered up the courage to finish the job.  Onward, to completing a replica of Eric Clapton's Fool guitar!

I painted the pickguard in three sittings.

Started with the cosmic red sun, greyish blue sky, and mountains.  Broke the ice!!!

Next, added the clouds, golden path, green grass and foliage.

Finished with the little details, all the while using my photo reference from the book Classic Guitars of the 60s edited by Tony Bacon. 
 

Next I will apply a protective clear coat before the guitar leaves my studio.  My client Bruce Diamond can apply subsequent coats for further protection. 

I can't wait to see it when Bruce attaches all the hardware and strings!  Hopefully I can post photos of how that will look.  Stay tuned!!! 

Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase Nine

Rolling right along....

Painting blood red on the flames.

Flames finished.

Adding blood red to the headstock.

Adding blue and green to the headstock.

Headstock colors finished.

Painting a cosmic outline on the angel's hair.

Check out Eric Clapton playing The Fool guitar in this interview.

Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase Seven

Yellow is the colour of my true love's.....

 ......halo.

Adding yellow to the rainbow.

Painting yellow flames.

 

Coming together.....

Adding yellow to the headstock.

 

Painting the triangle.

Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase Six

Thank you for joining me as I continue painting my version of Eric Clapton's "Fool" guitar.

Ah, yes.  Red.  One of my favorite colors.....

Painting the angel's hair.

It is said that the artist's depiction of the angel's curly hair was based on Eric Clapton's perm at the time (1967).

Straight hair or curly hair, Clapton is hot!!!!

Now that the red paint is mixed, I'll add it to the psychedelic rainbow.....

.....and start painting the flames of hellfire.

While I'm at it, I'll add red to the headstock.

Shades of orange are added to the rainbow....

Orange is added to the flames.....

Clapton playing the Fool.

Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase Five

 

  Starting the angel.

 

It didn't occur to me while I was painting the angel, but afterward upon reviewing these photos I remembered a terrible tragedy in Clapton's life.  The image of the angel takes on an entirely new meaning..... 

 

 Painting the cloud.

Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase Four

Further adventures with my rendition of the Fool guitar.
Painting Clapton's blues.....

Pictured is a little description of the 60s artist group "The Fool" found on page 49 of "Classic Guitars of the 60s" edited by Tony Bacon.  Dutch artists Marijke Koger and Simon Posthuma were hired to paint an artistic Gibson SG for Eric Clapton when he was in the band Cream.  He made good use of the guitar on Cream's first American tour in 1967 and in subsequent studio sessions.

 

  Starting the rainbow with purple....

Making progress...

Trying to get the colors right.  I can only be so accurate looking at a photo from a book and another from the internet.

  Almost forgot to paint this plastic guard thingamabobber!