Illustrators # 48 (magazine review)

There’s a more traditional set of artists in this latest edition of ‘Illustrators’. The first is Mark Schultz (1955- ). I’ve seen his art before and enough to pick up and review a copy of his ‘Cadillacs And Dinosaurs’. Here we see a lot more of his art, including a batch of Conan illustrations. Although he was trained in oil painting, much of his work was in pencil and ink. Design-wise, his work in the former looks better. I suspect with his paintings, there is an emphasis on design than function. Anyway, editor Diego Cordoba has an interesting interview with him where Schultz explains that he is a slow illustrator but a faster writer, with the latter taking up much of his time. Saying that, he does have a ‘Cadillacs And Dinosaurs’ graphic novel in the works although don’t hold your breath waiting.

Alas, Chris Moore (1947-2025) died before this edition came out. Much of his career is known to me, although considering his output, he had little interest in Science Fiction before he started painting our genre’s book covers. His transition to digital artwork removed a lot of the delays in drying time, although, as with other artists, not being able to sell the originals lost a source of income. That problem still exists today, so maybe we need more artbooks of these artists or selected choice portfolios. Moore’s work still sets the standard today and the samples here will remind you what a loss to the artworld when he died.

Then there’s Graham Humphries (one of the undead as he has no date of birth which seem appropriate), an artist whom I’ve reviewed from his Korero Press books of his horror material. He not only employs photographs but traces from them to get an exact likeness. I think what makes him stand out is his unusual choice of colours, although looking at his demonstration page, there’s a certain amount of randomness to them. Even so, there is still a matter of composition with so many heads. I do tend to agree with him that all artists have to employ a variety of tricks if they are to reach deadlines and the kind of art their publishers expect.

Lastly, author Anthony Taylor gives a look into his coming book in September, ‘Classic Monsters, Modern Art: 20^th Century Horror In 21^st Century Illustrations’. It looks like he has similar connections to the same generation that is mostly reading at SFC and hit on the artists we’re acquainted with.

This edition of ‘Illustrators’ is more with the traditional artists than recent issues. Nothing wrong with the more, shall we say, profound art, just that variety covers everyone.

GF Willmetts

August 2025

(pub: The Book Palace, 2021. 98 page illustrated squarebound magazine. Price: £22.00 (UK), $27.99 (US) via Bud Plant. ISBN: 978-1-913548-03-2. ISSN: 2052-6520)

check out website: www.bookpalace.com and www.illustratorsquarterly.com