BERNIE WRIGHTSON RIP

It isn't hyperbole when I say that without seeing Bernie Wrightson's art at age 14 I wouldn't be doing what I do. I absolutely wanted to be Berni ( which is how he spelt his name back then so as not to be confused with Bernie Wrightson the American swimmer). I yearned to draw exactly like him before I'd heard of Graham Ingels who was perhaps his biggest influence with Frazetta.My very first comic strips were rawly drawn tales of terror in my approximation of his style and I loved trying to be him.They say you shouldn't meet your heroes and I never did . My heart and condolences go out to his family - God knows what they must be feeling today.

I feel like I should post something visual on this sad day of Bernie Wrightson's death but I don't want it seen as taking advantage of the event. So I present my only ever drawing of Swamp Thing - the monster forever associated with Bernie in celebration of his influence on so many artists who without his guidance wouldn't be who they are.We'll always love you Bernie.

JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE - DOG FIGHT

All my textured paintings lead back to my 2005 graphic novel called THE FACELESS : A Terry Sharp Story. I re-invented myself into a moody colour artist that the book required. The offshoot was various commissions in the same popular style. Here's one that ran in the Judge Dredd Megazine. Written by Dr Who comics writer Cavan Scott it tells the story of illegal werewolf fights! I've included the initial pencil drawing that acted as the framework for the colour lychanthro-technics!

JEFFREY JONES SKETCHBOOK

The Jeffery Jones Sketchbook arrived this morning. For some reason I was expecting a bigger book but this is about A4 and exactly the size it should be. It's chock full of sketches in pencil and ink printed on a delicate paper stock but what delighted me also was the continuing monologue between Jones and George Pratt throughout the book talking about their journey in art and painting. Frankly I'd of been happy with a book full of pretty pictures but this is so much better! I want to read this in sequence but can't help reading snippets and it's GOLD I tell you!

BOYS' WORLD ANNUAL 1964

Today I received a copy of the BOYS' WORLD 1964 Annual which to my surprise and utter delight included illustrations by the great Charles Keeping for a story called BEEN FISHING. Keeping is best known for his book illustrations so to find an illustrator of this pedigree in a boys yearly annual was unexpected. For your enjoyment I've scanned them and the cover should you wish to get one yourself. Also for comic art fans there is a comic strip by Brian Lewis and other illustrated features. Christmas 1964 must of been a visual feast for BOYS' WORLD fans!

ME MAGAZINE 1989

Fiction illustration for Me Magazine 1989. This is one of many lifestyle magazine illustrations I painted for the likes of Tv Quick , Bella , Woman's Own and Take A Break to name a few. I was still trying to master illustrating fiction to a tight deadline - usually about a week. Bear in mind I had a day job in an illustration agency as a rep so all my art was done late into the night with usually little reference ( which probably shows). That said publishers liked something I was doing as I was commissioned many times in the late 1980s. It's sad to see this area of work for the illustrator hardly exists anymore.I'm glad I was there at the tail end.

PAINTINGS - SAX PLAYER (1984)

Unknown Sax player - acrylics on blue paper (1984)

THE CRUSADERS TIMETEAM ARTWORK

Earlier today I posted on Twitter the pencils for one of my earliest Timeteam illustrations for The Crusaders. One of the replies was from original Timeteam member Richard Bignell. Richard bought the artwork from me over 12 years ago and sent me a scan of it which I share here. It's lovely to be re-aquainted with an old friend like this and the art has retained much of it's original vibrancy ( obviously it's been kept away from sunlight which will fade the colour). Also below are the pencils I tweeted. Enjoy!

My Twitter account is https://twitter.com/AS1963