I have always liked 'llIustration' and tend to produce it either as Cover Art or Sequential imagery. The former is probably the more challenging because of the balance that needs to be struck between form and content, decoration and narrative. Cover Art, like the short story, gets a limited shot at indicating what lies beneath the cover. My current preoccupation has been described, and I think aptly, as 'nostalgic sci fi and pulp'. And someone also suggested that it might be a little too late to revive the 'adventure genre'.
Stylistically, I'm keen on the commercial illustration of the mid 20th Century that was made to promote 'mass' publication (especially children's annuals, pulp magazines and comics). There is so much creativity and artistic competence to found on the covers and within the pages of even the most mundane examples.
It is over the last 7 years that I have started to use, and like, digital media. My working methods are still a little too intuitive and involve the usual squinting and standing back that one associates with traditional media, but I am enjoying making imagery more than ever and would now like to explore the possibilities of illustrating written stories (preferably by working with an author).
Interests: Commercial illustration and sequential imagery of the mid 20th Century that was made to promote 'mass' publications (especially children's annuals, pulp magazines and comics).
I am here for: Artistic interests. www.mikefyles.co.uk
Mike.
Comments (14)
Rorsdors
These are amazingly good covers, beautifully done in there own right, but very evocative of those lovely old covers.
chippwalters
Wow. I absolutely love this cover. The Phantom never was a big muscle-bound guy...you captured him perfectly! Great job :-)
AwarenessLogic
Perfect take on the Phantom! This really brings back some memories..
chrisskinner78
This looks great! You've really captured that old school comic style with this. Have you tried overlaying some old paper textures in Photoshop? Or even add a layer of dots to simulate the way it might have been printed.
zboyi
Great image Mike, love the colour scheme and typography ;)
jgesq
Great job
leehilliard
omg i used to read these ! well done !
mmitchell_houston
I like the serenity of the scene -- like the calm before the storm. Of course, the uncluttered composition makes it easy to appreciate the figures and poses. I particularly like the way you handled the grass -- nice detail at his feet, but not overly detailed where it's closest to the camera. About the only thing that gives me pause is the Phantom's neck area... It looks like there's some kind of collar or separate neck texture at the point where the cowl joins the neck. This small area could probably use a little postwork to make it blend better. As for the camera angle, I'm wondering how this scene would look if we could see just a little more of his face so we could see his expression. I mean, the whip is rather prominent and she looks somewhat afraid, like she’s worried he might use it on her (perhaps she was whipping an innocent animal or person and he took it from her and now plans to give her a taste of her own medicine?). I don’t know, but if this were a real book I would open it to find out! Oh, and I simply LOVE the faded/distressed look you applied to the bottom of the letters in the word “Phantom.” That, and putting the word “The” in white, really make it look like a legitimate logo from that time. As always, VERY well done!
thecytron
Xcellent presentation! Very nostalgic for me!
MarkHirst
Even though it has worn edges, looks like this excellent specimen was kept away from the light. When can we see more advenures of Africa Jane? :-)
CleonXXI Online Now!
Great cover! Returns a favorite character to respectability after that hideous movie from the 90's.
Biffowitz
Awesome work, this looks great!!
zhaanman
What a beauty of a classic awesomely captured beautiful style and look!!
RBlue
Had to visit your gallery again, missed so much good stuff!