Illustrators #11 (magazine review).
To stop me getting withdrawal symptoms after reading and reviewing ‘Illustrators’ twice a month, I decided to read the last of the back issues to this month. If you’ve been picking up these issues as well, we aren’t too far from the release of the new issue.
With Illustrators # 11, we start with a look at the work of Donato Giancola, an American artist who is seen more on his side of the pond than over here. The fact that he can paint fantasy and Science Fiction with a different palate of colours, depending on the subject matter, will have you marvelling at his skill. There are even some examples showing how he goes from sketch to final painting, so you have your own learning curve. I’m more amazed none of the artbook publishers haven’t gotten a book of his work or how-tos together yet.
Tomer Hanuka’s art is more comicbook like and uses a more limited palate but still conveys what he wants you to see. For those of you who are at home with pen and ink, you’ll definitely learn a few tricks by studying his work and seeing how a little colour can covey such emotions. Hanuka has also done some poster work, presenting the likes of Hitchcock and Kubrick in a different way.
The real jaw-dropper isn’t actually in our genre but that of British born artist James McConnell (1901-1995) who painted many of the pulp detective, western and historical books from the 1950s-60s, often painting one and doing a preliminary for the next in the same day, such was his work in demand by several publishing houses. When he neared retirement, he went on to paint for ‘Look And Learn’ magazine. His attention to detail, depending on requirement, really is staggering and how many of these artists have ever had a show at The Association Of Illustrators Gallery in London in 1976? I should point out this was instigated by the publisher Corgi art director John Munday who came across the originals of McConnell’s work at his office.
There is an interview with artist Mike Terry whose forte his comedic art and caricature and for that, I’ll let his art do the speaking.
Finally, a brief look at Freya Hartas who looks like she is going to have an interesting time illustrating children’s books.
During the couple days I took reading this edition of ‘Illustrators’, I impulsively did a few sketches again which shows how these books stimulate the brain. Even if you can’t draw or paint, then you’ll just love what these magazines offer with the variety of artists, many of whom you might have seen their work but never had a name to put to. Can’t wait for the next issue.
GF Willmetts
July 2016
(pub: The Book Palace, 2015. 98 page illustrated squarebound magazine. Price: £18.00 (UK), $21.99 (US). ISBN: 978-1-907081-28-6. ISSN: 2052-6520)
check out website: www.thebookpalace.com
James McConnell was not an American born artist, he was English!
Hello Jim
You’re right. I was going by the magazine info. A little investigation on-line makes me wonder if its writer was confusing info with artist James McConnell Anderson who was born in New Orleans.
Geoff