Imaginative Realism by James Gurney

Last week I ordered the book 'Imaginative Realism' by James Gurney from Amazon and it turned up in the post a few days later - good work, Amazon!


So, to sum up my review, I..love.. this.. book.

For a professional like me in the field of Sci-Fi and Fantastic art this book is everything I want to read about, from the initial thought process to thumbnails, composition, laying out and the painting of fantastic imagery with every point he makes lavishly illustrated.

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Image courtesy James Gurneys' Blog

James Gurney (his blog is here) is the creator of the Dinotopia series as well as being a consummate artist (such an understatement). His sense of realism whilst portraying the fantastic is sublime and his technique - chiefly using oil paints - has a direct link to the great Leyendecker, Rockwell and Pyle, all of which gives his work a timeless and classic quality.

(Above)
Image courtesy James Gurneys' Blog

Here's the book blurb from his blog (now there's a mouthful):

"Most art instruction books show you how to draw or paint something you can see: a still life, a landscape, or a portrait. But what if you want to make a realistic picture of something that you can only imagine? This book shows the advanced or intermediate artist the time-tested methods used by artists since the Renaissance to bring your dreams into reality.

Chapters include: tradition, studio setup, preliminary sketches, history & archaeology, people, dinosaurs, creatures, aliens, architecture, vehicles, plein air studies, composition, and careers. 400 illustrations in full color."

(Above)
Image courtesy James Gurneys' Blog

I can't recommend this book enough to anyone who is interested in imaginative art or in seeing a great illustrators working methods.

The great thing I've always loved about being an artist is that I feel there is always something to be learned, there's always something to be tried out - I'm already thinking of incorporating some of his techniques in my future works, so I'll keep you updated as to the results.

Sneak Peek: Warhammer Ancient Battles

I'm now fully immersed in an exciting historical project for Games Workshop, I've been aching to do historical illustration for a long time and now the chance has come up, I'm trying to produce something with a narrative, historically accurate and dynamic. A nod of the hat to the unequalled Angus McBride. Here's a sneaky peek:

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"Uh-oh, this doesn't look good"

With these pieces I'm getting back to basics, these are straight (almost oil 'effect') paintings done in Photoshop, no fancy lens flares or overlay effects - just good, old fashioned drawing, tones, values and edges. I'm really enjoying it, I want to do more!

I'll keep you posted when they're published and I'll put up all the pieces for your pleasure.

Cover: 2000AD Prog 1656

Excuse me for getting excited, but I've just done something I've always wanted to do!

The Galaxies Greatest Comic, 2000AD has just published my first cover - Prog 1656, "Morked for Death":

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Johnny astride his Mork
Image Courtesy 2000AD Online

I think I'll let this post sit here for a bit, whilst I take in the sheer joy of achieving a LIFELONG ambition...!

Time for a stiff drink.

Aftermath: Games Day 2009

Just a quickie to say thanks to everyone (including my old chum, Hans - hope you won that Golden Demon!) who took the time to come and say hello, get their books/ t-shirts signed and have a chat about my work - it's always great to meet both the familiar and new faces who appreciate the time and effort that goes into each piece.

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In the Main Hall - wave after wave, the people kept on coming.
Pic courtesy Black Library Facebook page

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Darius Hinks and I get technical in discussing the finer points of layout and composition.
Pic courtesy Black Library Facebook page

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The ever-delightful Xhalax and I deep in conversation.
Pic courtesy Black Library Facebook page

Not forgetting a big THANKYOU to the BL staff who looked after me in the Hotel and made me feel very welcome at the show.

In similar news, I'll be attending the British International Comic Show next weekend (October 3rd-4th) so if anyone is going that way, make sure to say hello!

Reminder: Games Day 2009

Hello All,

Just a quick reminder to say I shall be attending Games Day 2009 this coming Sunday the 27th September - so if you have any of my Black Library books, Horus Heresy books or even posters, feel free to bring them along to get signed. I may even have a special sneak preview for anyone who asks nicely...

I look forward to seeing you there!

...And now for something completely different: Oil Painting

This is just a quick post covering a little side project of mine.

On the back of recently attempting to emulate an atelier approach to life drawing classes - with some success - I've taken up oil painting as away of complimenting what I'm learning with the life drawing.

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'Robot'
Oil on canvas, 8"x10"

I've started with some still life studies of my children's toys, and I'm trying what's called an Alla Prima approach, which means 'first strike', you dive straight in and paint the final image immediately, without waiting for the paint to dry or layering on glazes and all those other incredibly classical and respected techniques.

Also, the great thing about it is that it means I can get a fully resolved painting done within a couple of hours, which is always good.

(Above)
'Fairy'
Oil on canvas, 8"x10"

I was inspired by an American artist called John Howard Sanden (whose book on portraiture should be a compulsory educational text!), the artist John Singer Sargent and also the well used technique of lost, soft and hard edges and how they interplay and focus the eye on an image.

I'm interested in how these techniques will apply to my illustration work, I'm already trying them out so I'll let you know how I get on when the pieces are in print.

Oil painting feels a more mature medium than acrylics, which I've always used and which I've really enjoyed. After I finished up these pieces I pencilled up a load of other canvases so I can dive straight into more painting when a free evening crops up - so I'll keep you posted!

Now- Back to the Cursed Earth!

Local news for local people

Well, I seem to have made quite a stir with my recent Dredd piece, so much so that my local newspaper ran a little article in last weeks edition of the Louth Leader - I even made the front page:

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Look - there's me on the left...
at the top...
above the strange veg!

I just have to be thankful I made it above 'Strange Veg' otherwise I'd never be able to live that down...!

Here's the piece as it appeared on page 3:

(Above)
The chap who wrote it, Charles, was a keen Dredd fan and I feel
he enjoyed writing the 'Top 5 Dredd Facts' piece to accompany the article -
Nice one, Charles!

Great stuff, a couple of local people have since recognised me and stopped to talk to me about it which is always nice! I imagine CNN or BBC World News may be next on the list ;)

In other news, I'll be appearing at this years Games Day at the NEC on the Sept 27th, so if you want any books or posters signing, bring them on down and I'll deface them with my signature!

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Games Day in full flow - Sept 2006

Also, I've recently been pencilled in to be appearing at the big Horus Heresy signing at the Forbidden Planet Megastore next February - I'll talk more about this nearer the time, I guess.

Workwise, I'm currently doing some more 2000AD/ Megazine covers and a nice, big set of illustrations for an Iron Warriors book from BL Publishing.

Oh, and it looks like I'll be doing some lecturing at the University of Lincoln on their Computer Science course - all those years in the games biz might amount to something yet!

Peace out, y'all.