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 (12)
Palaemon
Very well mage image, excellent render.
drace68
Great cover Mike. Good sub-title choice for a crime novel.
JohnDelaquiox
Absolutely Magnificent work!
bebopdlx
Cool graphics look.
MarkHirst
Great book title. This reminds me of a scene from "Kiss Me Deadly".
kenmo
Cool illustration...love your style...
illkirch
Excellent
gsayers
Nice one Mike - it has a more modern (60's?) Las Vegas feel to it. Maybe because I'm watching the trailers for the "Magic City" TV series right now! By the way, the cool male hair - not seen that anywhere - is it mostly painted? Gary
GrandmaT
Great job!
mmitchell_houston
I am absolutely IN LOVE with this composition. The placement of the title is PERFECTLY fused with the flow of the leg - it draws our eyes right down to that blonde bombshell. The colors, as mentioned above, do a wonderful job of evoking the 60s. I kinda get the Vegas or Miami feel to it. Maybe even Atlantic City? Who cares. This image tells me that I'm about to read a hard-boiled novel with no-nonsense dames who'll set you up for a beating in one chapter and then bandage your broken nose in the next, and then disappear with your wallet in the chapter after that. Although I'm gushing, I do see two things that I would suggest altering. Why is she looking at his foot? If she were looking up, we might get the sense that she's looking at his crotch (thus increasing the sexiness of the scene) and get a nice look at an upturned neck. Of course, this might make her seem haughty... so there's always that risk. Next, the guy with his leg on the chair -- that pants leg is too dark. It blends into the background. Maybe some brighter green bushes behind him might help frame his pose and make that side of the image just a smidge stronger to counter balance the other side of the scene? As usual, these are just thoughts and musings. I'm REALLY impressed with this image. This cover would definitely make me buy this book. Great job!
Mikeall
Thanks everyone and Mitch those comments are very useful. I'm fond of this picture too and your suggestions will help improve it considerably.
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