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.
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Comments (14)
ragouc
Great work and composition. Very well done. 5++++
ghoyle1
Very cool! I lov retro-scifi. May I ask where you got the space suits?
aguirre
Great. I don't know where to start. Perhaps the Focke-Wulf Triebflügels in the bg. Or the original main character. The aged illustrated book style. Love it !
AwarenessLogic
It's great to see your signiture style put to good use!
Ahmed4
Really Cool!
MarkHirst
You have surpassed yourself yet again. The fading of the paper and distressing of the pages is top notch, and the images are totally convincing. Sounds like this a collaboration that was meant to be!!
Ancel_Alexandre
Great pic, and really good story!!
Geodesic250
Outstanding!!! I can almost smell the old paper and hear the pages when you turn them. Ya Dun Gud!!
chrispoole
Another stunning cover, he reminds me of Errol Flynn, which would have suited him down to the ground. Superb.
Krid
perfect classical cover art
hborre Online Now!
Actually, the character reminds me more of Larry Niven. This is a superb illustration, worthy of that bygone age of pulp fiction and classic art. It is good to see it somewhat return. Great job!
strayrider
The ultra realistic posing style here makes me sick with envy. I mean, really, these characters crackle with energy! Mike, you truly are my #1 source of inspiration. Keep it up! BTW: I checked out that site. Congrats! (now if I can figure out how to get some of that soda) -stray-
mmitchell_houston
I am literally STUNNED at how well you've captured the look and feel of the classic look of Virgil Finlay's illustrations in SF magazines of the 1940s & 1950s. I'm used to being amazed at your color work, but this takes your b&w work to a new level. This is one of those rare times when I have almost zero constructive criticism. The shading, the poses, the entire package is almost perfect. Your poses really convey a sense of caution and expectation. You just know something's about to happen... and so do the men. The only things I would suggest would be to move Commander X a little to our right so that his head isn't split by the spine. And what is that round black thing by the feet of his men? I can't figure it out. But trust me, I had to STUDY the piece to find those suggestions. As I said, I am STUNNED by this piece. And your work on the other two pages is great, too. Incidentally, I visited the Website and will probably buy the action figure -- I used to love those old Mego figures! You really should do a tutorial on how you created these particular effects. I would love to read how you're achieving these spectacular results.
gsayers
No words, just bow, bow and bow again. That's David Niven with muscles isn't it?