Early 'sixties auto art; pencil drawings by Wick Humble

[W Humble]

[W Humble]

Having some probs with my laptop today; bear with me!  These are 'study hall' or 'watching American Bandstand' drawings; pencil was about all I had in those old days; better media I learned much later in college and as an Army illustrator!  I'll include two from my HS pal, Tommy Johnson; we were the two hot-rod/kustom 'artists' in a class of 60 kids.

The twin Allison (inspired perhaps by 'Big Al' Ford sedan?) was influenced by the short fad for enclosed, streamlined diggers, and perhaps a bit of Big Daddy Roth? Typical of classroom 'qucky' scribbles; often when a friend suggested an over-the-top idea. These were done in '62 (Where were you...?) because Tom was forced into the Army by the local probation officer before our class of '63 graduated.  Lots of potential here!  

[W Humble]

This moving pics is a challenge for me!  Sorry if my attachments are screwed up to some degree.  You can see where I finally got an elipseemplatee!  The Camaro is from much later, obviously.  Wickcrewed up to some

[Ace-Garageguy]

Cool stuff. I particularly like the custom Ford convertible nose treatment with the canted quads, and the '57 T-bird is one of the few restyles of one of those that doesn't spoil an almost perfect design. 

[W Humble]

Bill, as always I value your comments (who wouldn't?) very highly!

I used to 'decorate' every car ad in MT, HRM, etc with flames and scallops; lots of practice, even if it didn't make perfect.  The '61 Furd wasn't the prettiest car in the barn -- esp compared to the '60 & '63, but I did driver training in one; 4 doors, six, and stick.  All black too, just like the towns new police Interceptor except it had all the HD goodies.  After I posted those two, I noticed that they'd gotten the same grille treatment!  I did a number of scallop and flame-jobs later, but never mastered pin-striping.

There were three guys in the Class of '63 at Modoc Union High School (N CA) who were artists, and I was probably third in rank.  Tom second, and a kid named Danny the best; a cartoonist and natural caricaturist.  Tom went on to be a Maintenace guy at our local State U., and Dan animal control boss of Pasadena!  I got an MA in art, and then taught Kindergarten, mostly.  I spent 1969-70 as an 81E20 Graphic Arts/Illustrator in the Army, which was an education in itself!

I'll post a few more, since I dug out those.  All too many are just plain embarrassing! The Henry J may not look better as a hardtop.  The IH tractor was from the summer of '62 when I was sent to KS to work on my uncle's ranch, mostly bucking bales.  If it weren't for KOMA radio R'nR (OK City) in that beyond rural existence, I'd probably have croaked at 16!  The Bug is more study hall quickies!

 Wick, just turned 79