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 (13)
theseus88bc
Oh, now that is just brilliant!! The way you've finished this one makes it look 1000% authentic! Fantastic, mate! 5+
thecytron
Xcellent presentation!
Platin
Very good cover design!!!
Balaenanun
LOL 8) cool one ! Have you sent the link to Anthony Appleyard?
mmitchell_houston
Mike: More great work. The setting and colors work toether VERY well -- you convey the underwater scene without resorting to any Photoshop blurring or wave filters. Conveying a sense of depth with just color and an abstract background is very tricky, yet you make it look so darned easy. I'm not a fan of the pose or the text, however. The pose just seems stiff and I don't get a sense of strong men struggling against each other. Maybe it's the baggy suits, but I just don't sense any drama here. Perhaps if you tried another shot and made it a close-up or medium shot? Of course, it could just be me... As for the text, I guess it's just the words: "Friend or foe?" They're fighting, so I guess that makes him a foe. Maybe something like "Death in the Deeps," or something lie that would work better as a textual element. Anyway, sorry for being so negative. You know how much I love your work -- thanks for posting it for us to enjoy!
MarkHirst
Very 'Thunderball' like, just need those little motorised submersibles to heave into view !!
chippwalters
Super posing! Another brillant cover. Great job :-)
AdamWright
Superb work, Mike....you capture the spirit of the old adventure mags so well!
chrispoole
Excellent cover once again, love the action and glad to see the re-breather as well.
Krid
..perfect "classical" cover art....
duo
WOW! A really great "cover"!!!
pakled
"I want those who get to know me, to become admirers of my enemies" - Adam Ant, Friend or Foe Dating myself, but it was the 1st thing that came to mind..;) great work.
Anthony Appleyard
Good image. How do you get the scraped effect down the left edge and suchlike?