From Sketch to Completion

photo of Mel Tanner in 1973 (1925-1993)

 

Mel Tanner (1925-1993) had many sketchbooks which we archive. He would often create several sketches until he decided which one to settle on and begin construction. He  would also use colored pencils as seen below.

This was in contrast to Dorothy Tanner who rarely drew. She was a hands-on person who liked to have a lot of material around to “play with.”

Here are some examples of the Mel Tanner drawings and the completed art works:

Sketches and Finished Art Works:

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Mel Tanner, Commercial Installation, Sarasota, FL, 1976

 

Brooklyn Museum Art School Catalog, 1950-1951
Max Beckmann (foreground), Mel Tanner (far right)
photo courtesy of the Special Library Collections
at The Brooklyn Museum
©1950