This is a beautiful, unique, and rare preliminary graphite drawing by Gil Elvgren that shows the behind-the-scenes process that the artist went through while coming up with and subsequently presenting ideas to Brown & Bigelow for potential calendar artwork. This includes Elvgren’s handwritten notations in the bottom right of the drawing to Clair Fry, the art director at Brown & Bigelow.

This loose, fluid sketch shows a classic Elvgren pin-up girl exiting a cinema. As she passes the ticket box office, she finds herself in an all too familiar cheesecake situation where her skirt becomes entangled, pulling up to reveal shapely, stocking-clad legs. The marquis board out front shows where clients would have included their own personal advertisement.

This comes from a collection of Gil Elvgren preliminary graphite drawings we acquired which were found in a house in Sarasota, Florida where the artist once lived. Drawing has been professionally matted and shrink wrapped – ready for framing and display!