Sci-Fi A-Z: Pulp

"Capture the essence of space pulp". That's the title given to the step by step feature written by me explaining the inspiration and process behind my new painting, "Starstruck". I owe a world of thanks to Ian Dean at ImagineFX magazine for contacting me back in October. I was able to pull a concept of mine out of my sketchbook and fine tune it to his needs and paint it for their upcoming Ultimate Guide To Sci-Fi Art issue. And now in the January 2011 issue sporting a TRON cover, there's a wonderful feature that is titled, "A-Z Of Sci-Fi Art". You'll find "Starstruck" under the letter "P" for Pulp on page 64. It's an incredible magazine filled with amazing images. As well as an interview with one of my favorite artists, Moebius. Run out and buy issue 65, available now. And check back later because I plan on posting the "director's cut" of my step by step process.

In issue 65:

Green Hornet Pulp Cover

Truth be told, I've never been a big Green Hornet fan. Growing up, I watched the television show from the 60's and one of my all time favorite Batman episodes from the 60's was the team up featuring Batman and Robin with The Green Hornet and Kato. I still love that episode - but that was it. Skipping ahead, I started listening to old time radio (OTR) episodes of the Green Hornet a few years ago. And- I enjoy them just as much as any crime detective OTR shows. Then Moonstone Books asked if I would do a cover for an upcoming publication featuring the Green Hornet and since I recently became a new GH fan, I finally decided to give it a shot. I started by looking through movie posters from the 1930's thru 1940's, and listening to the OTR shows for inspiration. The editor at Moonstone wanted a straightforward pulp art image, and focusing on that era, I wanted to do something that was instantly recognizable to the character.
I first worked on thumbnail sketches and decided on one I really liked.

And then developed a drawing to present to Moonstone Books for their cover:

Once approved, I transferred the drawing onto the board and jumped right in by blocking in the darks:

A dark and moody palette:

Something was missing - the finishing touch.... I soon realized I needed to make the car, Black Beauty, "come alive" by turning on the headlights.

Happy New Year!

Start the new year right and join us for the reception! Good time to make a commitment to take home some original art as well.
A huge "thank you" to my friend Tony Akins who invited me to exhibit among some super talented artists like: Alex Wald, Andrew Pepoy, Chris Burnham, Corinne Mucha, Hilary Barta, Heather McAdams, Jeffrey Brown, Jenny Frison, Jill Thompson, Tony Akins, Nicole Hollander, Mike Norton, Mitch O’Connell, Sarah Becan, Dave Dorman, Tim Seeley, Lucy Knisley, Gary Gianni, Bill Reinhold, Alyssa Herlocher & Steven Krakow.
StatiCCreep runs January 14 - February 6, 2011