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I mentioned a while back that my 13 year old son Matt has developed an interest in straight razor shaving. Of course he had to select a Filharmonica stainless with blue scales, 3/8. As a proud father, straight razor shaver for 46 years now (and a professional illustrator) I was compelled to do this illustration of Matt's first shave.
Enjoy!
Mitch
Wow! I love that picture! So did he have a hard time with the AS?
Very nice picture! How was the shave? Did he enjoy it?
Thats great Mitch!
My 15 year old son hasn't shaved yet, and doesn't share my passion/fascination with straight razors. Maybe in time.
Nice illustration, what medium did you use?
Congratulations! It's every father here dream! My son just 3 months but I'm already trying to find for him his first razor!
Thanks everyone for your kind words.
About the time Matt was 5 I knew he'd probably start shaving with a straight razor as he imitates everything I do. It's never too early to start a direction.
Matt was nervous at first. he took a deep breath and then went to work. All he did was his sideburns down to his cheek. But he liked it. Unfortunately as he owns 2 razors now, the Filharmonic is his favorite and he keeps eyeballing mine. I told him to start a special savings account for Filharmonics.
A good friend of mine and fellow Straight Razor Place member is starting his 13 year old son shaving with straight razors. We're working on having a combined class and shave session for the boys.
Matt does a good job of shaving the back of my neck. He's very focused and hasn't nicked me yet.
The medium used in this illustration was opaque watercolor, also known as gouache. It's an easy, forgiving medium and with professional grade pigments the work is quite permanent.
Mitch
Nice illustration, man. My son and I started with straights together a couple of years ago. It's a cool hobby to share.
Great drawing! It is also great that you get to experience an awesome hobby like shaving with your son!
What a wonderfull thing,keep at it,savor the moments with your son/children.
My greatest regret in life is that I was to friggen busy,Building a business,working 18 hrs a day to get ahead.
Never any time for my kids to do what you are doing,I applaud you sir.
That's really cool Mitch, thanks for sharing!
Oh, and good luck holding on to that Fili, you may have to draw up a custody agreement....
ok, the whole thing with your son shaving is great...but that picture is hands down amazing :) I have saved it for my personal collection..Hope you dont mind.... :)
Its nice when family shares the passion, my son that will be 14 years in 12 days also have shown an interest in straight razors, so think he will get a brand new one next year when he turns 15. Nice illustration of your son.
The blue Filharmonica is his. He had saved up his earned allownaces and used it. It's my Filharmonicas that I have to keep an eye out for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
One additional mention...The image is indeed copyrighted. You all may save and use it for your own entertainment. Any commercial usage must be cleared through me.
Mitch
I love how his eyes are smiling. He obviously enjoys it.
Unfortunately my 13 nephew who lives with me is afraid of my razors.
Dad was a confirmed electric razor shaver and told me I wouldn't get all the whiskers but don't try because it would irritate your skin. If he used any aftershave it would be my mom's Avon Moisture Cream. I couldn't accept the poor results so I began a 40-year odyssey with the disposables and cartridges mixed in between with another try at the electric.
It wasn't until two years ago when I discovered DE, SE, and straight razor shaving that I finally made peace with shaving.
Dad was a great guy, but his shaving regimen stunk. :rant:
Great pic!! Awesome that the lad is taking after Dad as well. My stepson is 18, he thinks I'm just crazy shaving with a straight.
He came into the bathroom the other day to ask for something and I took my brush and soaped his ragged sideburn on the right side of his face. Before he knew what was going on I had my razor in my hand and told to look straight ahead and stand still. He had a look on his face like the butter had slid off his biscuit. I removed his sideburn and asked if he wanted to go ahead and finish shaving as I have plenty of spare razors.
He politely declined and said he'd stay with his electric. :rofl2:
It is a picture that reminds me of my favorite artist, Norman Rockwell. Very good and I can't wait for my 3.5 year old son to start shaving for real.... Wait a minute maybe I can as I might start to lose some of my razors.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch
Coach,Quote:
Originally Posted by coachschaller
Thanks for your mention of Norman Rockwell and my work. My father was a commercial illustrator. Every time a new Saturday Evening Post arrived with a Rockwell cover on it my father would pick it up, stare at it and state, "Geez, this guy is great." As I moved from my railroading into painting and illustrating some time ago I began studying Rockwell.
It's not that I try to immitate Rockwell as much as I've learned a lot concerning his approach.
Thanks again for seeing the resemblance.
Great picture!
You really are a talented artist (and so is your son with his straight!)
Fantastic!
I can't wait until my boy, who is 11, is ready to start shaving. I hope that I can give him something that was not given to me, shaving etiquitte. It really is a skill easier passed than learned by onesself.
That color is incredible!!!
If there are more, it would please not just me to see.
My own son was 17 when he took up the art! Here's the link to when I posted about his first shave!Quote:
Originally Posted by CanCerManNor
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...tml#post674359
I gave him an 8/8 Friodur for the following Christmas, then his own strop for his birthday, then a set of custom scales for the next Christmas and a custom made strop will be his next birthday present and that's in 12 days! Now I'm stuck figuring out what to get him for Graduation!
It has really been rewarding that he wanted to learn the ancient art! He had a weekend JR ROTC meet this last weekend and took a DE (No Plastic Disposables in this Household!!) and when he called me to let me know when he'd be arriving home he said that he really missed his straight!
I know that it's a little off topic, but here's the link to his custom scales!
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...uilt-spec.html
Being I have a son too I can appreciate the former oh so much. My son and I discuss things very casually and he knows I shave with the straight razor and seems to accept it as nothing at all out of the ordinary. So, always looking ahead I purchased for him an Army & Navy straight razor. The purchase is also symbolic of our love of that fine football game, the institutions represented and all our kin that have served this great land.
Thanks for the great illustration, I Love it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch
Thanks for your kind words. I'm now working on my "Shave of the Day" illustration.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vektor67
Stay tuned.
Mitch
Cool, Thanks for sharing and love the drawing!
My son uses a cartridge. When I suggested that he switch to a brush, he refused. I bought a puck and a brush, put the puck in a coffee cup and set it on his sink. He liked it, so I gave him my Old Spice mug.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wullie
He won't let me get any closer to him with a straight than my wife will. They both think I'm crazy.
What a great image and story Mitch! I wish my dad had taught me how to shave with a straight but he can hardly grow facial hair and doesn't shave very often. I'm 23 and will just be starting with straights. By the time your son is my age he'll be an all out pro.
Mitch,
That's a beautiful illustration.
Have you considered producing a limited edition print and offering it for sale, either here at SRP under SRP Goods or at All Posters.com?
Thanks for asking. I would consider it, but the original is only 8.5"x11.' I don't think it would be a good idea to enlarge it much.Quote:
Originally Posted by jhenry
Mitch
