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Helen Capewell
OCA Learning Log
Student Number: 522802
Degree: Illustration
Current Level: 2

Comics Visionaries

Research


I was worried about this research being another clone of the others. First looking at Wally I began rolling my eyes at the content later to discover that there was more in his portfolio than the sexualised, almost pornographic works, and in fact a wide range of very detailed illustrations within Sci-Fi. I questioned whether I would be good at researching comic artists once I had a glimpse of Wood's work as I struggled to tell the difference of styles. With that said, I was relieved to see the variety in the works from the artists listed, with particular interest in Moebius.



Frank Frazetta


● How is their artwork made?


This artist feels to have a unique style, one that I would love to see an original piece in person. Again the women are underdressed and overboard in style, but I can look past this with the highly detailed fantasy worlds they're in. The anatomy of the people are very different to other artists. They appear very realistic and fleshy, muscular and defined, maybe even primitive. When looking at the paintings, I feel like I'm looking at a meatloaf album cover, and I love those!


It is said that Frank worked primarily in oils, but also worked in watercolours, ink and pencil.


● Is it drawn or painted?


Most of the works are painted


● How do their styles differ?


The style is very realistic, fantasy realism.


● Does their style seem dated?


It does, perhaps the way oils feel when they're such heavily detailed paintings. They can seem much older, however just the essence of the paintings also feels 70s or other.


That said, I just discovered an interview where a similar question was asked about Frank, the answer:


"Surely some people think of his work as of a certain period. An example of why that is, is that during the late-'70s, early-'80s custom van craze, the most popular theme for an airbrush mural on them was local artists all over America doing their imitations of famous Frazetta paintings. But, [as] anyone seriously looking into the subject of Frazetta will quickly find, Frazetta has continued to prove his longevity over and over. And the original art is definitely blue chip stock" - https://www.printmag.com/daily-heller/the-daily-heller-frank-frazetta-the-sci-fi-rockwell/

● Are there contemporary artists that seem to be influenced by them?


Moebius


● How is their artwork made?


Despite many of his works looking like a risoprint or digital illustration (which Im convinced some pieces are colour in this way), I had found information that said he used pen and watercolour.


● Is it drawn or painted?


Both


● How do their styles differ?


Their style is certainly my favourite from the list, giving me a more graphic sense to the works compared to the others.


● Does their style seem dated?


Not at all! In fact I think the work is timeless and feels the most influential of today's work.


● Are there contemporary artists that seem to be influenced by them?


Sadly I can not name any, but the work definitely feels to be visible in many illustrators of today.



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