Tuesday, July 6, 2010

One More Time, Then Back to Your Regularly Scheduled Program

I think I lost a lot of my normal readers on Monday due to the holiday, and that's wonderful. It's great for people to get away from this time consuming addiction. Apologies to all, but I think Bru's hard work on her interview with me was worth mentioning one last time for those who missed it.

Just to give you something of value here, I'll share one of my favorite Alan Lee works. I love this piece so much that I bought one of the prints. It's not much, but it shows his delicate beauty. Look at the subtle realism in the flow of the cloaks, the rocks, the water, the stonework of the bridge. It is exactly this style of work I would love for the cover of my book. I don't need to show readers what my characters look like (they can decide that better in their own imaginations); I prefer to show snapshots of the story in action, illustrating the stark beauty of the world. Alan Lee is my dream artist, though I'll never get him. Anyone out there able to mimic this style?

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful painting! I like Alan Lee's work too.

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  2. That is a nice piece. And I read your interview!

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  3. I wish. I've always wanted to be able to draw and paint, but I'll never be as good a painter as I believe I am a writer. Writing comes naturally to me while my drawings/paintings look like something made by a child.

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  4. LOVE that print. I would totes hang that on my wall next to my waterhouse and michael parks prints

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  5. oh wow! that is a gorgeous pic! i keep scrolling back to look at it! i wish i could do something that good! maybe after a few years more practice... or decades?

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  6. Alan Lee and John Howe are both incredible! What a dream that would be to have their artwork grace one of our books.

    One of my absolute favorites is his Amon Rudh.

    You could try searching DeviantArt for similar artists but the thins is Ted, WHEN you get The Shard published, they're probably not going to let you have a great deal of say about the cover.

    It is wonderful to dream though.

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  7. I have searched a ton and haven't found anything other than an artist that was hired to mimic him for the Silver Call duology, but he died.

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  8. Not me. I do love to loos at artwork like this thoug. Sometimes I'll sketch a scene I like but that's about it.

    Stephen Tremp

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  9. I agree on "Alan Lee is my dream artist". I bought the version of the Fellowship of the Ring with his illustrations in it. Absolutely worth it.

    As for artists, there's no one I can suggest. I'm lucky I have a sister in theatre costume creation. She's wonderful at painting and drawing.

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