The KOSART Effect - The Blog of Artist J. Anthony Kosar

Joshua Hoffine - Horror Photography Book

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 21:25:00 +0000

Less than 55 hours left to pre-order the JOSHUA HOFFINE Horror Photography book via the already successful Kickstarter campaign! My friend and frequent collaborator, the world renown horror photographer Joshua Hoffine, is releasing an epic horror book collection of all his career of amazingly dark photography through Dark Regions Press, many of which feature the makeup and FX work of Yours Truly!

If he gets to $45K, he will do not one but TWO more horror photograph collaborations with Kosart Studios both utilizing Joshua's frequent model Bob Barber who we turned into the Boogeyman for his short film Black Lullaby! The photographs will be Devil's Mug Shot, and with the $45K stretch goal, the second will be Nosferatu!! Concepts for both photos are below.

What also makes it special and why he needs $45k to do both of these photos is because it will be Bob's final time modeling for Joshua due to Bob's health. So let's make Bob's swan song something special by turning him into Nosferatu, and making him into something terrifyingly awesome one last time!

Go to Kickstarter.com and pre-order your copy of the book TODAY to make Joshua's and Bob's NIGHTMARES come true! You can support the KickStarter campaign HERE

Thanks again for your continued support!

#TeamKosart at Walker Stalker Chicago!

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 27 May 2016 21:03:00 +0000

Meet Award-Winning Artist and Kosart Founder J. Anthony Kosar (Face Off 4 Champion), along with Kosart Artists / Instructors Anna Cali (Face Off 10 Contestant) and Jamie Leodones (Face Off 8 Contestant) at the Kosart Booth ALL WEEKEND at Walker Stalker Chicago 2016 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL! We will be doing LIVE ZOMBIE MUFX DEMOS, sale on PPI Make-Up products for all your ZOMBIEFICATION needs, a sale on the Kosart PHANTOM Pro Airbrush, some masks and art prints, and of course, autographs and FREE Photo Ops! Learn about our ART and FX Classes, and come join the fun!

More info HERE

KOSART at MHC

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 29 May 2015 17:08:00 +0000

Stop by Kosart booth #335 at Midwest Haunters Convention this weekend! Meet Face Off Season 4 Champion and Season 8 Coach and Award Winning Artist J. Anthony Kosar, along with Face Off Season 8 Contestant Jamie Leodones! Get their autographs and FREE photo ops! Ben Peter from Season 8 will also be hanging around the booth! Watch our LIVE Make-Up FX Demo on Saturday! AND we will be selling Make-Ups and the Kosart Phantom Pro Airbrush, along with J. Anthony Kosar's art prints! Ask about our FX Classes! Don't Miss the FUN!

More info at MHC Website HERE

Midwest Haunters Convention Logo © its respective owners.

Kosart's TEENAGE MONSTERS in Spectrum 22

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 22 May 2015 21:40:00 +0000

Due to current and new projects that came in, I unfortunately will be missing Spectrum Fantastic Art LIVE 4 but wish I was there with all my artist friends and colleagues. Though, with SFAL4 happening right now in Kansas City, MO, I am honored to announce that the Teenage Monsters created by Kosart Studios has been accepted into Spectrum 22: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art! I also have a personal sculpture of mine that was accepted as well, but I am waiting to release the entire series that the specific sculpture is part of before I share that particular sculpture, which will be released later this year. However, though I have had personal works selected for both Spectrum 19 and Spectrum 20, and I judged Spectrum 21, this Spectrum 22 marks the first time that Kosart Studios has work accepted into Spectrum as a studio, and we at Kosart are extremely excited and honored to be included in a book with so many extremely talented artists and studios!

Click images to Enlarge:

Teenage Monsters by Kosart Studios
Foam Filled Latex Sculptures and Mixed Media.
Drac: 14.5"w x 25"h x 12"d - Frankie: 14.25"w x 30.5"h x 18"d
Wolf-Boy: 15.25"w x 22"h x 16"d

The Teenage Monsters were originally a collaboration between world-renown horror photographer Joshua Hoffine and me, and created by Kosart Studios for an ad campaign for Sony UK, titled Monster Prom. Here are Joshua Hoffine's photos of Kosart's Monster Boys:

The Teenage Monsters were designed by J. Anthony Kosar for client Joshua Hoffine and brought to life by Kosart Studios. Here are the concept designs by Kosart Studios' lead artist J. Anthony Kosar:

KOSART STUDIOS

Kosart Studios' contributors to the Teenage Monsters along with their contributions, include:

J. Anthony Kosar

Concept Designer of Teenage Monsters: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Art Director / Supervisor: Overseeing Production of the Teenage Monsters.

Lead Sculptor: Complete Sculpting of Teen Drac and Drac Teeth, and Sculpture Block-In of Wolf-Boy and Block-In of Wolf-Boy's Teeth, Sculpture of Frankie's Teeth and Tongue.

Lead Mold-Making and Casting: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Lead Lab Work: Seaming and Patching Latex Seams for Teen Drac.

Lead Painter: Complete Paint of Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Lead Assembly and Hair Application: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Costume Designer: Street / School Clothes for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Neil Viola

Sculptor: Complete Sculpting of Frankie and Refining Sculpture of Wolf-Boy.

Mold-Making Technician: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Hair Application Assistant: for Frankie.

Scott Mitchell

Sculptor: Complete Sculpting of Feet for Wolf-Boy, and Detailing Sculpture of Wolf-Boy and Detailing Sculpture of Wolf-Boy's Teeth.

Teeth Painter and Assembly Assistant: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Mold-Making Technician and Casting: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Lab-Tech: Seaming and Patching Latex Seams for Wolf-Boy.

Hair Application Assistant: for Teen Drac.

Stevie Calabrese

Mold-Making Technician and Casting: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Paint Assistant: Base-Coating of Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Hair Application Assistant: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Assembly Assistant: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Matt Kapolczynski

Teeth Painter and Assembly Assistant: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Mold-Making Technician and Casting: for Teen Drac, Frankie, and Wolf-Boy.

Lab-Tech: Seaming and Patching Latex Seams for Frankie.

And thank you to my father Joseph Kosar for all his help and support through the project!

Here are some additional photos from Kosart Studios of the creation of the Teenage Monsters:

(click photos to enlarge)

The final studio photographs of the 3 Teenage Monsters sculptures is school / street clothes against the red background, and the photo that will appear in Spectrum 22 is by photographer Bear McGivney. Here are a couple other views of the Teenage Monsters photographed by Bear:

So if anyone is in or near Kansas City, MO, be sure to visit Spectrum Fantastic Art LIVE 4 this weekend, and be sure to pick up your copy of Spectrum 22 when it hits bookshelves this winter to see Kosart Studios' Teenage Monsters!!!

Lovecraft's INNSMOUTH KickStarter Project with JOSHUA HOFFINE and DOUG JONES!

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 17:05:00 +0000

Announcing my latest collaboration with world-renown Horror Photographer JOSHUA HOFFINE, INNSMOUTH!

After several successful projects including the epic zombie photograph LAST STAND, the short film about a boogeyman BLACK LULLABY, and the series of photographs featuring teenage monsters going to prom in MONSTER PROM, we are teaming up again to create our take on H.P. Lovecraft's SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH. This is a photography project that will center around the story's main character as he is trapped and cornered by a mob of angry monstrous Deep Ones!

This INNSMOUTH project will be starring the famous creature performer DOUG JONES best known for his amazing portrayal of characters such as The Gentleman in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Abe Sapien in the Hellboy series, El Fauno and The Pale Man in Pan's Labyrinth, and his recent role in the TNT series Falling Skies, but this time, he will be the HUMAN being attacked by the monsters!

After doing a lot of research, Joshua and I wanted to make our Deep Ones more monstrous and terrifying than what we have seen. Many of the Deep Ones we have seen were too human or more sympathetic looking cancerous mutants. We wanted monsters. A bunch of different characters at different stages of their transformation into the horrible fish monsters described in the story.

I designed all of the "Deep One" fish-frog-human mutant creatures of INNSMOUTH, and the creatures were created by me and my artists at KOSART STUDIOS, including Face Off Season 7 Champion Dina Cimarusti, Stevie Calabrese, Neil Viola, Matt Kapolczynski, Face Off Season 7 contestant Scott Mitchell, and Face Off Season 8 contestant Jamie Leodones.

This project was just released on KickStarter HERE and you can get some awesome REWARDS including Photo Prints, and the creature maquette mini-bust, and the ACTUAL wearable Face Masks and Full Head Masks and Display Busts created specifically for this project by me and my artists at Kosart Studios. Here are some of the full masks and busts being sculpted at Kosart Studios:

From the KickStarter campaign:

"INNSMOUTH is ultimately a photography project, the latest of many by renowned Horror photographer JOSHUA HOFFINE. The subject of INNSMOUTH is taken from H. P. LOVECRAFT’s 1931 tale The Shadow over Innsmouth. In this story a young man decides to visit a decrepit seaside town named Innsmouth and is unexpectedly trapped overnight, facing a terrifying encounter with the townsfolk who all belong to an aquatic-god-worshipping cult of mutant fish people.

"JOSHUA’s goal is to capture this terror in one stunningly horrifying photograph.

"The photograph will be composed of an Innsmouth street with the human protagonist of the story surrounded by transformed mutant townsfolk and Deep Ones. As a special treat, the amazing actor DOUG JONES has signed on to play the part of the human protagonist in this photograph.

"The townsfolk and Deep Ones surrounding the photograph’s protagonist will be actual performers as well, but they will be wearing elaborate masks and prosthetics designed and sculpted by Face Off Season 4 Champion and Season 8 Coach and award-winning artist J. ANTHONY KOSAR, and brought to life by his artists at KOSART STUDIOS, including Anthony's student and friend, Face Off Season 8 Champion DINA CIMARUSTI.

"From the elaborate set, to the movie-worthy creature effects, to the amazing star DOUG JONES, this will be the most ambitious photograph JOSHUA HOFFINE has created in his career to date. We’d love for you to be a part of it and help bring this image to life!

"A lot of work has already been accomplished, but we need your help to complete this epic project. We’ve crafted some incredible cumulative gifts for your generous donations because we want to make this project just as amazing and fun for you as it is for us! There are copies of the final photograph itself, as well as a slew of LOVECRAFT collectibles that we believe are unique to this campaign. Take a look and let us know just how excited you are to be a part of our project!

"Contribute what you can, and please pass this link on to everyone in your social networks. We know there are fans of JOSHUA, ANTHONY, DOUG, and LOVECRAFT out there that would love the opportunity to help make this project become a reality!"

"We’ve been having a blast concocting our Lovecraft collectible ideas and hope you like them as much as we’ve enjoyed crafting them. You’ll also find very high quality prints of JOSHUA’s final INNSMOUTH photograph offered in increasing sizes, and some unbelievably grand masks and props from the workshop of J. ANTHONY KOSAR and KOSART STUDIOS!"

So please spread the word, and donate to this awesome project! The sculptures are in the process of being completed, and sets still have to be built, and costumes to be made, so please help us complete this epic art project and get yourself some awesome rewards! Contribute HERE

Thank you and HAIL CTHULHU!

Concept Art, Innsmouth Sculptures, Teenage Monster Boy Sculptures, and Kosart Photos © Kosart Studios, LLC.
Monster Prom and Last Stand Photos © Joshua Hoffine.

Happy New Year 2015!

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 23:40:00 +0000

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year from J. Anthony Kosar and Kosart Effects Studios! 2014 was a good year but there are lots of BIG things coming from Kosart in 2015, with a HUGE announcement coming Next Week! Thank you for all your continued love and support, and keep following for more adventures in Art and FX from #TeamKosart !!

Here is a look back at 2014,... Time Flies... DON'T BLINK:

Father Time make-up by J. Anthony Kosar and Kosart Effects Studios. Modeled by Bear McGivney. Photo by Bear McGivney.

Happy Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 20:37:00 +0000

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from J. Anthony Kosar and Kosart Effects Studios!

Visit www.kosartatelier.com for enrollment info!

Cyclops makeup by Kosart Effects Studios. Photo by Bear McGivney.

KOSAR Returns to FACE OFF

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:26:00 +0000

J. Anthony Kosar won Face Off Season 4. His student Dina Cimarusti won Face Off Season 7. Now watch Kosar's return to Face Off on Season 8 as a Coach / Mentor to a team of new contestants! On Tuesday's beginning January 13th, 2015 at 9/8c, tune into the Syfy Channel to watch Chicagoland's celebrated FX artist back on television, lending his teaching techniques to helping a new crop of contestants better their work for the judges. Though Kosar will not be competing on this season, it will be a fun season with outstanding make-ups and 15 extremely talented contestants. He is joined by Face Off Season 2 Chamption Rayce Bird and Face Off Season 3 Finalist / Season 5 Champion Laura Tyler. So be sure to continue rooting for #TeamKosart #TeamAnthony and don't miss this new season of Face Off! Set your DVRs now!

HERE IS THE NEWEST SEASON 8 TRAILER:

Face Off images © courtesy Syfy.
J. Anthony Kosar portrait photo by Bear McGivney.
All rights reserved.

Sister Melissa Kosar Directs THE MIDDLE episode "The Sinkhole"

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 21:00:00 +0000

Be sure to watch and set your DVR's for my sister Melissa Kosar's episode "The Sinkhole" of The Middle that airs TONIGHT Wednesday November 12, on ABC at 8/7c that she directed starring Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Eden Sher, Charlie McDermott, and Atticus Shaffer! IT IS A FUNNY EPISODE, YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS!

I have been a fan of this show since it started, before my sister was ever working on it, so I have been watching all the seasons and I have to say, this is one of the funniest episodes.

Check out these pictures of her directing actor Charlie McDermott, and the take sign with her name on it!

I am so proud of her and how far she has come. Kosar's have definitely invaded Hollywood! Love ya, sis!

Here is a sneak peak at tonight's episode:

So set those DVRs for 8/7c TONIGHT Wednesday November 12th a 8/7c on ABC!

The Middle © ABC Television Network

Sacrifice

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 16:31:00 +0000

Sculpting my first prosthetic at age 16, nearly 13 years ago. Some days I look back and wonder how I got here. One word: Sacrifice. While other kids did what kids do, I stayed in and honed my skills, always learning and experimenting, all day and all night teaching myself. I worked hard then, as I do now. But it’s funny how all the other kids grew up. I worked hard then so that I’ll never have to grow up. I make art and bring my imagination to life every day, going on adventures with characters from other worlds. Thank you 16-year-old me, I am grateful for all the sacrifices you made. And I am thankful to my parents who sacrificed along with me, and who understood and encouraged me to follow my dreams. Success doesn’t come without sacrifice. It’s sad how many people forget that. You have to be willing to sweat and bleed for what you want. One word: Sacrifice.

Kosart Student Spotlight: Dina Cimarusti

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 21:47:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS DINA!!! History was made on Tuesday Night, October 28th, 2014, when Dina Cimarusti, student of Face Off Season 4 Champion J. Anthony Kosar at Kosart Atelier: School for Entertainment Arts for 2 years, was crowned Champion of her season, Season 7! Dina was one of two Kosart Atelier students who ventured to compete on Face Off this season, one being Scott Mitchell, (read about Scott HERE).

It brings me great pride and excitement as her teacher and mentor of over 2 years, to see her from her beginning to what she has accomplished! Dina is a humble person with an kind personality, extremely gifted talent, and a hunger to learn and make her art the best it can be. She began as a cake decorator, but upon stumbling upon my classes in 2012, she quickly adapted her cake decorating skills to the art of make-up and FX sculpture through my teachings. Always one of the top students, she met each class project with enthusiasm, and often went above and beyond what was asked of her in class. Her execution for each piece was unmatched, and it was inspiring to see her progression over the years.

Here is a look back, a walk down memory lane, like a proud parent looking through a photo album, to see some of her journey of becoming Syfy's latest Face Off Champion ...

Here she is in the class that began Dina's transition into the FX world, the Art of Mask Making at Kosart Atelier! Looking back at where she started in 2012, I am so proud of how far she has come!

Dina putting her cake decorating skills to use making her first mold in Art of Mask Making class at Kosart Atelier in 2012! She learned quick and always made it look like "as easy as baking a cake" ... literally ... haha...

Here is Dina watching an airbrushing demo in the Art of Mask Making class at Kosart Atelier in 2012:

Dina with her mask concept design, her unpainted latex mask, and a cake of her mask that she baked for the entire Art of Mask Making class at Kosart Atelier! We knew she was a special artist with amazing talent from day one, seeing how her cake was sculpted just as well as her sea creature mask. It tasted awesome too, though I was sad cutting into it!

Dina sculpting her giant lizard full-head mask in Advanced Mask Making class at Kosart Atelier in 2013! There were so many amazing masks in that class sculpted by the students, but Dina's was definitely one of the standouts!

Here Dina introduces her signature technique of "piping" texture on her lizard sculpture in Advanced Mask Making class at Kosart Atelier, a technique that she borrowed from her cake decorating skill set! She was always inventive with her approach, quickly adapting from the culinary baking world to the FX world with style!

After taking both of the mask making classes, Dina ventured into the Art of Makeup FX class at Kosart Atelier! Here she does her first 2D age makeup on herself in 2013:

Dina's imaginative makeups made her a stand out in my Art of Make Up FX classes as well at Kosart Atelier! Here is her 2D character makeup from 2013 that shows her creativity and anatomical understanding:

Upon mastering the 2D makeup applications, Dina excelled at the 3D out-of-the-kit makeup techniques to create this terrifying zombie makeup in the Art of Make-Up FX class at Kosart Atelier in 2013!

Dina was always a leading student at Kosart Atelier, soaking up every technique and always asking the right questions. Now she won the Face Off Season 7 finale after leading the completion all season!

Dina took her makeup FX to the next level in our On-Skin Silicone FX workshop at Kosart Atelier:

Dina continued her training by learning the FX approach to airbrushing in the Airbrush FX workshop at Kosart Atelier painting one of the vastly growing army of GRUNT masks! Can you spot our star?

The final class that Dina took is the Advanced Make-Up FX class at Kosart Atelier in 2013, combining everything she learned to date with new techniques in sculpting, molding, casting, and applying foam-latex prosthetics!

Once again Dina soaked up all the techniques in the Advanced Makeup FX class at Kosart Atelier in 2013 to create a beautifully sculpted and detailed prosthetic, putting her at the top of the class:

With an eye for detail, Dina learned to apply and paint prosthetics with precision in the Advanced Make-Up FX class at Kosart Atelier in 2013, as she is seen here applying her Dragon Empress prosthetic to herself with the rest of the class:

Here is Dina's final makeup application of her first prosthetic that she learned to create in the Advanced Make-Up FX class at Kosart Atelier in 2013, her final training that prepared her for Face Off! When I saw her final makeup, I knew she had what it takes to not only compete on Face Off, but also take the title, so I encouraged her to audition! It has been such an honor for me as her teacher to watch her grow as an artist from the beginning to where she is today! I am so proud of all that she has accomplished!

Photo by Bear McGivney.

After her taking classes at Kosart Atelier, I brought Dina in to be part of my team to work on several Kosart Effects Studios projects to continue teaching her beyond the classroom, and also get her more prepared for Face Off season 7!

One of the first projects Dina assisted on was the sculpting, molding, casting, and application of "Ivan the Cyclops" for a Floor & Decor commercial, that you can see HERE. Dina blocked out the Cyclops cowl sculpture that I refined and finished. Though we had several issues with the cooking of the prosthetics, Dina and the team rose to the challenge and in 4 hours of application before set, we fixed the prosthetics and delivered a successful makeup to set that the client loved. Dina was key in that process, and helped in the painting process as well.

She missed a few of the team projects due to filming her season, but did also work on a Mrs. Doubtfire-esque make-up that I can’t give many specifics yet. However, Dina assisted in molding the life-casts and helping to float-off the make-up I designed and sculpted, and assisting in application of an 8-piece encapsulated silicone prosthetic for one of the set days. Though she missed much of this project due to filming her season, she jumped right in like a natural, helping to apply a silicone prosthetic for the first time.

On Face Off, Dina won 5 out of the 13 Spotlight Challenges, and also won 1 Audition / Foundation Challenge. One of her wins, for the Greek God challenge, she was the ONLY top look with her stunning Aphrodite make-up! She had an outstanding run on Face Off, and in my opinion, one of the best competitors ever on Face Off! Plus it was fun watching her do techniques that she learned here at Kosart Atelier, including when she fixed her cowl with cotton and latex, just as we did on our Cyclops project. And it was fun watching her showing off her own technique of "piping" detail onto her sculptures and make-ups!

Face Off Photos by Brett Patrick Jenkins.

I had the pleasure of going to Dina's Finale Party last week, to share in the excitement of her victory. It was so exciting to see everyone there to cheer on #TeamDina as she brought the title back home to Chicago! And seeing her win and her reaction, along with her boyfriend's and mother's reaction on screen, and there in person brought a tear to my own eye. I am honored to have been there, and especially to be part of her incredible journey of becoming her own accomplished artist that she is today. Watch how her Finale Party reacted when she was announced the winner:

Dina is an outstanding artist and a remarkable person, having became more than a student, she became a colleague, and more importantly, a friend. Dina's talent goes far beyond what she knows she herself is capable of, and I think her winning Face Off season 7 proves that! I am so thrilled that the world now sees what I have seen since 2012. It takes a lot of courage to put oneself and his/her work on display to be vulnerable and open for critique and criticism the way Dina did, but she did, and won on her own, and now returns with the confidence of a champion! Dina always had the talent and artistic vision, and I am so thankful that she brought that talent through Kosart Atelier so that I could unlock the FX world for her to unleash her talent in. I am so excited for her and proud of her, and I am looking forward to what her future holds, and I look forward to all the projects to come!

You can come see some of Dina's work in person, along with over 50 award-winning artists from all over the world at the 4th Annual MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition Opening and Artist Reception on Saturday November 15th from 3pm to 10pm at Kosart Gallery in Westmont, IL!

So now that is 2 Face Off wins from Kosart Atelier! The Kosart Legacy lives on! You watched me win Face Off Season 4. You watched my student Dina win Face Off Season 7. Now watch my return to Face Off for Season 8 as I coach a team of new contestants! Be sure to watch SEASON 8 on Tuesdays beginning January 13th, 2015 9/8c on Syfy!

Photos by Kosart Effects Studios LLC, Kosart Atelier, Bear McGivney, Brett Patrick Jenkins, and Syfy,

Happy Halloween 2014!

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 01:59:00 +0000

FREE MONSTER MASK GIVE-AWAY

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 18:27:00 +0000

Enter the FREE Kosart Effects 2014 Halloween MONSTER MASK GIVE-AWAY! 4 Masks, 3 Social Networks, 4 Chances to WIN! One Mask raffled off each week from now until Halloween! Masks Signed by Mask Designer / Sculptor / Face Off Champion J. Anthony Kosar! Win LION on Twitter ending 10/10. Win SATANIC PANIC on Facebook ending 10/17. Win BITE YOUR TONGUE on Instagram ending 10/24. Win GARGOYLE on Facebook ending 10/31. Here is how to enter in 3 simple steps:

RULES:

STEP 1: Follow / LIKE page @KOSARTeffects on Specified Social Network: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

STEP 2: Like / Favorite this Contest Image Post on Specified Social Network.

STEP 3: Share, ReTweet, or RePost Contest Image to your Friends / Followers and be sure to Mention @KOSARTeffects and Tag post with #KosartMaskGiveAway

Winners selected at random by searching the tag #KosartMaskGiveAway on the specified Social Network. One winner selected from Twitter on 10/11 for Lion Mask. One winner selected from Facebook on 10/18 for Satanic Panic Mask. One winner selected from Instagram on 10/25 for Bite Your Tongue Mask. One final winner selected from Facebook on 11/1 for Gargoyle Mask. You can enter ALL four contests on all three social networks, or you can just enter one. It’s up to you!

Masks designed and sculpted by J. Anthony Kosar for Zagone Studios.
Masks © J. Anthony Kosar & Zagone Studios, LLC.

Kosar's work in IMAGINATIVE REALISM Show

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 18:18:00 +0000

I have my mini "Smokey Joe and the Inferno" in the IMAGINATIVE REALISM art show at the Yellow Springs Brewery in Yellow Springs, OH that is opening tomorrow Saturday October 4th from 6-9pm! This awesome show is curated by Travis Lewis and contains the work of a collective of amazing artists including Travis Lewis, Allen Williams, J Anthony Kosar, Fred Fields, Mark Poole, Chris Seaman, Dan Chudzinski, Alessandra Pisano, Tom Taggart, Matt Tisdale, Jacob Walker, Aaron B Miller and others. If you are in Ohio this weekend, be sure to visit! Show runs through November 2nd, check it out!

Art in Imaginative Realism image © their respective artists.

Mini Smokey Joe and the Inferno © J. Anthony Kosar.

Photos of Mini Smokey Joe and the Inferno by Bear McGivney.

Kosar at Son of Monsterpalooza

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 10:24:00 +0000

Visit Face Off Season 4 Champion and award-winning artist J. Anthony Kosar at Son of Monsterpalooza this weekend, September 12 - 14, 2014 at the Marriott Hotel & Convention Center in Burbank, CA! Come by and see some of Kosar's recent work, and check out his new airbrush, the Kosart PHANTOM Pro, available at the show. For more info, visit www.monsterpalooza.com

Photos by Bear McGivney, J. Anthony Kosar, & Kosart Effects Studios LLC.

Kosart Atelier Alumni at MASK FEST

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 18:53:00 +0000

If you are at Mask Fest in Indianapolis, IN his weekend, stop by the booth of some Kosart Atelier Alumni and the members of my Kosart Effects Team, including Face Off Season 7's Dina Cimarusti and Scott Mitchell, and artist Neil Viola who will be showing off some of their awesome work, and doing some killer Make-Up FX demos at their booth! Check it out!

Also be sure to stop by the other Kosart Atelier Alumni booth of Brad Zonka as Darb Designz, and stop by Kosart Atelier Sponsor Paasche Airbrush Company for some airbrushing goodies!

Lots of friends at this show, including my Face Off Season 4 brother HOUSE, Face Off Season 2's Beki Ingram, one of my mentors Jordu Schell, and so many more... wish I was going this year! Have fun!

Image via Scott Mitchell Creative Design.

Kosar on Face Off JUDGE MATCH

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:38:00 +0000

Don't miss Chicago's own Face Off Season 4 Champion J. Anthony Kosar back on your television screens to help the judges compete against each other on Face Off JUDGE MATCH! Watch Glenn, Ve, and Neville go head to head with the help of Face Off's finest! Who's team will Kosar be on, and which judge will reign victorious? Find out in the most EPIC Face Off Challenge this Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014 at 9/8c on the Syfy Channel! Tune in and set your DVRs, and get ready for the challenge the fans have been wanting to see for 7 seasons of Face Off! Watch the Face Off Judge Match trailer below, and see how the tables have turned!

Also, Tweet LIVE on Twitter with J. Anthony Kosar during the 9/8c airing of Face Off Judge Match this Tuesday, September 2nd! He will be taking of the Face Off Twitter handle, so be sure to follow both Anthony @KOSARTeffects and Face Off @FaceOffSyfy and Tweet LIVE with the Season 4 Champion and get some of your questions answered!!

From Syfy.com/FaceOff:

Get ready for the Face Off event to end all Face Off events. On Tuesday, September 2 at 9/8c, Syfy debuts Face Off: Judge Match, an all-new original special where Face Off judges Ve Neill, Glenn Hetrick and Neville Page go head-to-head in a special make-up competition for their charity. Yep, the three judges are about to be judged themselves - and only one will win.

There's a twist, though. For the competition, the judges will pair up with two team members -- a former Face Off all-star contestant, as well as a former champion -- to create a pair of living chess pieces designed to appear in a colorful, stylized fantasy film. In keeping with Face Off’s current season theme of “Life and Death,” one of the characters must be pure and pristine while the other is evil and twisted.

Joining the judges to assist in the competition are all-stars and fan favorites Roy Wooley (seasons 3 and 5), Miranda Jory (seasons 2 and 5), Wayne Anderson (season 4) and previous Face Off champions Conor McCullagh (season 1), Anthony Kosar (season 4) and Laura Tyler (all-star from season 2 and season 5 champion). At stake is a cash prize for the winning judge’s favorite charity and $5,000 for each of their team members.

It all culminates with astounding creations, making for a tough decision. Multiple Academy-Award winner and world-renowned Hollywood makeup artist Michael Westmore (Mask, Star Trek), along with Academy-Award winning makeup artist and Season 7 judge Lois Burwell (Lincoln, Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, War Horse, War of the Worlds) have the difficult task of choosing a champion. McKenzie Westmore will host.

Ve Neill is competing for A Window Between Worlds, a non-profit organization dedicated to using art as a healing tool for survivors of domestic violence. Glenn Hetrick is competing for The North Shore Animal League, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. Neville Page is competing for The Orangutan Foundation International, dedicated to the conservation of wild orangutans and their rainforest habitat.

RIP Richard Attenborough

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 00:32:00 +0000

R.I.P Richard Attenborough. You breathed life into many characters, including my favorite John Hammond, the fictional creator of Jurassic Park. Thank you Mr. Hammond for sharing your dream to capture the imaginations of an entire planet. Most people don’t realize what the movie Jurassic Park means to me, and how every aspect of it has inspired me and my career. It is the one movie and soundtrack that makes me feel like a child again, in 2nd grade, watching wide-eyed in the theater, wishing Hammond’s dream was real. “Creation is the act of sheer will” and with that, you “spared no expense.” Dream on, Mr. Petticoat Lane.

Photo copyright it's respective owners.

KFX Wizardry at Wizard World Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 09:39:00 +0000

Be sure to stop by the Kosart Atelier booth #1305 at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con THIS WEEKEND Aug 21-24, 2014 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL for enrollment information on Classes and Workshops from Chicagoland's premier School for Entertainment Arts, founded by Face Off Season 4 Champion J. Anthony Kosar! We are the only Make-Up FX School in Chicagoland to have 2 students competing on Face Off, Dina Cimarusti and Scott Mitchell!

And come see Face Off Season 7 FX Artist and Kosart Atelier's own Scott Mitchell do a War Wolf make-up transformation LIVE at the Kosart booth #1305 on Saturday August 23, 2014, beginning at 12pm! Don't miss it! This is the prosthetic he created in the Advanced Make-Up FX class, enrolling now! Info on this class HERE

We will also have some Kosart PHANTOM Pro Airbrushes available for purchase at the Kosart booth #1305!

. . . And come meet the Monster Prom boys, the awkwardly charming, teenage Dracula, Frankenstine, and Wolf-Boy that the Kosart Effects team recently created for Joshua Hoffine and Sony!

Click HERE for more info on Wizard World Chicago!

KOSART ATELIER at FLASHBACK WEEKEND

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 08:14:00 +0000

Be sure to stop by the Kosart Atelier booth at Flashback Weekend THIS WEEKEND Aug 8-10, 2014 for enrollment information for Chicagoland's premier School for Entertainment Arts, founded by Face Off Season 4 Champion J. Anthony Kosar! We are the only Make-Up FX School to have 2 students competing on Face Off, Dina and Scott!

Click HERE for more information on Flashback Weekend!

Kosart Student Spotlight: Scott Mitchell

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 05:23:00 +0000

Upon watching the Face Off Season 7 premiere, I wanted to tell everyone of the pride I had watching 2 of my students from Kosart Atelier: School for Entertainment Arts, Scott and Dina, make it onto the biggest competition for make-up FX, but primarily take this time to back up the work of one of those individuals. Scott Mitchell was the first artist eliminated on a first ever “Audition Challenge” foundation make-up.

Scott is one of my first students. Back in April 2011 when I just opened the doors to my new studio and just started teaching classes, both he and his son were there for my first set of classes. He has taken every first class I have ever offered, taking all 12 of my classes. Always one of the top students, he met each class project with enthusiasm, and often went above and beyond what was asked of him in class. He would come up with great designs for characters and creatures, giving them each a wonderful back story that made you want to know more. He always had great execution for each piece, and it was inspiring to see his progression over the years.

It is because of his great talent and enthusiasm that I began bringing Scott in to help and assist in classes and workshops that he has already taken, to now helping to instruct my classes at Kosart Atelier: Schoolfor Entertainment Arts, and bringing him in to help on Kosart Effects projects.

Scott was the first member of my team at Kosart Effects Studios, which later came to include several others, including Season 7’s Dina Cimarusti. With the team, I brought Scott in to continue learning beyond the classroom, by tackling several projects. It was really an exciting time at the studio, Scott quickly became my right hand man.

One of the first projects Scott assisted on was the molding, casting, and application of "Ivan the Cyclops" for a Floor & Decor commercial, that you can see HERE. Though we had several issues with the cooking of the prosthetics, Scott and the team rose to the challenge and in 4 hours of application before set, we fixed the prosthetics and delivered a successful makeup to set that the client loved. Scott was key in that process.

Another was for a boogeyman character for Joshua Hoffine’s first film Black Lullabye. For this, Scott was tasked to make a gnarly set of boogeyman dentures. Scott’s attention to detail and precision in execution made those teeth top notch and was the element that helped to bring the whole make-up together.

We worked on another project for Joshua Hoffine and Sony UK, Monster Prom. For this my team and I created awkward, nerdy, teenage versions of the classic monsters: Dracula, Wolf-Man, and Frankenstein’s Monster. I designed these 3 characters, and Scott was key in adding the final details to the Wolf-Boy character sculpture, he sculpted and molded the Wolf-Boy feet, along with molding, casting, and seaming the 3 monster boy sculptures, helping to sculpt the dental pieces, casting and finishing all the dental pieces, and doing some of the hair work.

And the last of the major projects was a Mrs. Doubtfire-esque make-up that I can’t give many specifics yet. However, Scott was key in molding and casting the make-up I designed and sculpted, creating the dental veneers and custom fingernails, and assisting in application of an 8-piece encapsulated silicone prosthetic for set days. This make-up has to be hyper-realistic and perfect to make people believe this man is an elderly woman, and Scott has proven to have the chops to help get that make-up there.

All in all, Scott is an amazing artist and a remarkable person. He became more than a student, he became a colleague, and more importantly, a friend. His sculpting of his own characters and creatures for masks, busts, and make-ups are all incredible, and I just feel sorry that none of you will have the opportunity to see what he can do on Face Off.

Despite what you may have seen on Face Off, or what the judges said, Scott does have what it takes to compete at that level. My money was on him and Dina going into the competition, and were he to go again, knowing what happened on the first episode, I would still put my money on Scott to win it all.

Everyone has a bad day on Face Off. I know I had a few of my own, and luckily I survived those trying times to ultimately win the show. However, as we all know, Scott did not make it past the first round, which wasn’t even a Spotlight Challenge. It was a twist to have 2 people eliminated right off the bat with a new “Audition Challenge” which was nothing more than a foundation make-up. It is unfortunate that they eliminated artists based on a foundation make-up, that utilizes generic prosthetics that he or she was not responsible for in the design and sculpt of that piece, especially when you are given that piece to work with. I’d rather see a contestant be eliminated based on the creativity and execution of their own work in the shop. If that were the case on other seasons, some of the best makeup artists that ultimately made it to the finale as well as some who won their season would have been eliminated in their first foundation challenge based on their bad decisions on their first foundation make-up. How tragic that would have been, and that should show that such talent and potential could have been wasted on this season’s Audition Challenge. Yes, some bad decisions were made, but I guarantee you that had Scott made it past that round to the shop he would have gone very far, possibly making it to the finale and winning the show. Though I do not know Gabby, I have the same belief in Gabby who was also eliminated. It was sad to see them go based on a foundation challenge. I hope they are both given another opportunity to come back to Face Off and show the world what they can do. I do not know Gabby, but I know Scott, and Scott is a creative force to be reckoned with.

Here are a few of Scott’s pieces that show what he can do when actually given an opportunity to design and sculpt his own make-ups and sculptures.

So with that, I just want to say that I am still very proud of Scott, as very few make it as far as he did. He beat out thousands of people just to have made it that far. It takes a lot to put yourself and your art on display the way he did, and I just hope he gets another opportunity to show you all what he is made of.

On a lighter note, I am also very proud of my other student Dina, and am ecstatic that she made it to the next round and won the Audition Challenge. I will do a write up on her and her work as well, but wanted to address Scott first.

Congrats to Dina and all the other contestants who actually made it on Season 7. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and please continue to watch Face Off every Tuesday at 9/8c on Syfy. It is my favorite show, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Photos by Kosart Effects Studios LLC, Kosart Atelier, Bear McGivney, Scott Mitchell, Simin Koernig, Joshua Hoffine, Brett Patrick Jenkins, and Syfy,

RIP Dick Smith

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 05:23:00 +0000

RIP Dick Smith. You are a legend and you have inspired countless generations of makeup and FX artists. Thank you for sharing your passion, creativity, and ingenuity in this field. Your legacy will live on through each of us you have inspired! I am so thankful I was able to meet you at Monsterpalooza 2014. Thank you for the inspiration!

Kosart Atelier Students to Compete on Face Off Season 7

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 05:27:00 +0000

Kosart Atelier is PROUD to Announce:

Kosart Atelier is very proud to announce that 2 students of Face Off Season 4 Champion J. Anthony Kosar from Kosart Atelier will be competing on Face Off Season 7 beginning Tuesday July 22nd at 9/8c on Syfy!

Dina Cimarusti and Scott Mitchell are 2 amazingly talented artists that Kosar is happy to have watched grow over the years into the creative individuals that they are today, and we at Kosart Effects looking forward to rooting for them this season on Face Off as they represent Kosart Atelier!

Both have since been assisting in Kosart Atelier classes and on Kosart Effects Studios projects since summer 2013, and we look forward to the things to come. So be sure to root for #TeamKosart this season on Face Off!

Also be sure to tweet #TeamDina and #TeamScott as your Fan Favorites during each episode for the TWEET OFF FAN FAVORITE Sweepstakes, and help them win $10,000! You can also win a Kryolan Make-Up Kit! More info on the sweepstakes HERE

So watch and set your DVRs for

FACE OFF SEASON 7

beginning THIS Tuesday,
July 22 at 9/8c on Syfy!

Photos by Bear McGivney, Brett-Patrick Jenkins, and Nicole Wilder Shattuck.

_________________________________________

So if you want to learn the ART of FX from
J. Anthony Kosar and the Kosart Effects Team just like Face Off's Dina and Scott, be sure to learn the right way from the right people and sign up for the classes and workshops only from Kosart Atelier, Chicagoland's original and only premier School for the Entertainment Arts! Visit www.KosartAtelier.com for more info!

KOSAR Taking over FACE OFF Twitter TONIGHT 9/8c

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 20:31:00 +0000

Tweet with me LIVE tonight as I tweet from @FaceOffSyfy the official Face Off twitter account! I will be tweeting during the 9/8c airing of Face Off Episode 2 tonight, and cheering on the Season 6 artists! Also be sure to follow my own twitter account as well @KOSARTeffects

Photos by Brett-Patrick Jenkins and Nicole Wilder-Shattuck.

Get your SCULPT ON!

noreply@blogger.com (J. Anthony Kosar) — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 17:39:00 +0000

For more info and to enroll, please visit: www.kosartatelier.com