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 (6)
giulband
You have created a wonderful illustration !!!
eportscreations
Excellent work! I really like your pulp style, it is very effective.
gsayers
Lovely composition Mike. Though it looks simple, I can see a lot of accumulated work has gone into this scene. Up-lighting on the face of the heroine adds to the drama very nicely. Kidney shaped pool and chrome table sets the era, since the two-piece swimsuit seems to be back in vogue now :-) Keep them coming sir. Gary
kenmo
Beautiful illustration...love your retro style...
mmitchell_houston
I love the way you use bright pastel colors in contrast with such deep shadows to convey a sense of tension and subdued menace. That's actually a very difficult thing to do with bright colors. You capture that whole California or Palm Springs look that was so popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. And, as Gary said above, the little bit of chrome and the shape of the pool (and I would add, the roof of the bungalow and the high waist on her suit) help reinforce that the scene is set in that era. I am in love with the typeface you selected for the title -- the blocky letters help sell the tension in the scene. If I were to make a few small suggestions (and you know I must -- I can't seem to resist, can I?), I would suggest that something needs to be done with the author's name. It just gets lost where it is -- maybe just a hint of color to the text? The other thing I would suggest is tweaking the heads of both the men. I'm not 100% sure their eyelines are focused on the dame in the orange bikini (hmmm, that sounds like it could be the title of the movie based on this book). I like that both women are ignoring her, but the men should be more clearly entranced by her charms. Also, I like that the guy has a drink in his hand (nothing like hard liquor at a pool party to say this ain't no kiddie party), but there is something awkward about his pose and the placement of the glass. In short, is it his drink? Is he offering it to her? I can't tell what their story is. And, finally, a question. Should there be a little white along her right cheekbone to give her a jawline? Right now that side of her face is blending into her neck, and I think it makes her face look a little flat. Perhaps just a thin line coming back from the soft highlight on her chin? By the way, I SIMPLY LOVE the tan lines above her bosom, and the lighter armpit area (someone shaves!). Brilliant little touches that show she normally dresses a little more demurely and that she's not a permanent resident of the ladies poolside club. Brilliant and subtle! I also really like the strong banding on her legs and the tiny wrinkles on her suit. Another great illustration that would certainly get me to pick up this book and read the back cover to decide if I was going to stuff it in my own beach back for some summer reading.
Mikeall
Thanks everyone and mmitchell, the most useful of observations.