Freeman Colby Vol. 3 Poster Gallery

↓ BELOW, LEFT: Primary source images from eyewitness artists.

↓ BELOW, RIGHT: Click through to see how I created each “original” poster image.

^ Edwin Forbes: “On the picket line, near Freeman’s Ford, Rappahannock River” (Jan. 1864)

This video shows the creation of the opening 2-page spread for Vol. 3!

^ Eastman Johnson: “A Ride for Liberty” (1862)

This panel combines Johnson’s 1862 painting w/ Alfred Waud’s written account in Harper’s Weekly (1864).

^ “Photograph of the Jacobs Free School” (1864)

Harriet Jacobs teaching (with Sarah Low visiting) in the “Jacobs Free School” @ Alexandria, Virginia.

^ Winslow Homer’s “Skirmish in the Wilderness” (1864)

Homer seems to be reaching here for a new style to express the confusion & terror of the Battle of the Wilderness. (It almost looks like 20th century abstract expressionism!)

This was the very first full-color artwork I drew for Vol. 3. Colby can’t see anything in the thick woods…

Alfred Waud: “Wounded escaping from the burning woods of the Wilderness” (May 1864) >>

This became the front cover artwork for Vol. 3. // More about the scene >>

^ “Rebel wounded coming in…” (A. Waud / July 1863) >> 

^ “Genl. Wadsworths division in action in the Wilderness...“ (Alfred Waud / 5-7 May 1864) [LOC.gov] >> 

LIVE: Inking | Coloring Pics | Coloring Video

^ “A Battle as Seen by the Reserves” (Thomas Nast / Harper’s Weekly / 27 Dec. 1862)

Source Notes | Video Notes

^ Winslow Homer: “Army of the Potomac ~ Sleeping on Their Arms” ( Harper’s Weekly / 28 May 1864)

Technically this isn’t a “poster” — It’s a 2-page spread from the 2nd half of Vol. 3. If we ever color it, it’ll be a lot of deep dark blue.

^ Winslow Homer: “Bayonet Charge” (Harper’s Weekly, 1862)

SOURCE NOTES & PRINTABLE >>