When Topps contacted me about this project, Part of me was screaming YES while the other was hesitant about even trying to reinterpretate this CLASSIC film poster... I was swayed by Mr Waldeck to go for it using my style of illustration... Along with 8 other selected artists who have each contributed their re-imagining of what is possibly one of the most well known film posters in history.
The Gang's All Here - Star Wars heads to NYC
Bottleneck Gallery's next show, 'The Gang's All Here' Begins November 9th and I chose to illustrate the gang from one of my all time favorite films since I was a kid. Star Wars: A New Hope. The Original, the one that started it all.
The premise of this piece is like an old, well loved family portrait. The song 'Memories, Friends and 8x10's' was ringing through my head when I was thinking about what I should do for the show.
Check out the Gallery website for more info on the upcoming show... It's also raising money for charity, which sets this gallery apart from many others... next month it's for the Make a Wish Foundation
Head here to get your copy of the Limited Edition Print.
Update! In light of the news of Disney's acquisition of LucasFilm we now have a variant print for the show...
Illustrating Yoda for Star Wars Galaxy
It's always a great pleasure to work on a new Star Wars illustration. And to be asked again this year to produce another original for the Topps Star Wars Galaxy series is an honour.
I decided to follow on from my Yoda and Dooku illustration "Once Allies" to show the continuation of their relationship from being Master and Padawan, fighting the good fight flashing forward to the time in Attack of the Clones, where they are now enemies. The duel in AOTC stood out for me as one of the highlights of the movie where, unpredictably, Yoda finally gets to show us his moves! He walks into the hangar bay to face his old Padawan hobbling with a walking stick...and then...Who'd have thought he could be so fast?! Took my breath away the first time I saw that scene.
So it's only fitting that when I re looked at these two characters, that this scene was a must to try and capture.
I did my initial concepts on my iPad, using a painting application called ProCreate and a stylus...not my finger ;) The comp was approved by Topps/Lucasfilm and then it was on to start the painting in reality on a piece of 30x40 illustration board.
Illustrating Yoda can be quite a challenge...he has quite unusual features, yet such a recognisable character... Quite a lot to render, but so worthwhile. Using my usual method similar in many ways to the art of Drew Struzan, drawing, drawing, airbrushed colour over airbrushed colour and then more drawing, using Prismacolor pencils filling in the lights and darks, I love the process.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little sneak preview into the behind the scenes of what goes into creating an illustration at PS STUDIO.
Star Wars Art: The Making of 'Vader's Apprentice' Illustration HD
Star Wars Vaders Apprentice
Private Commission for a Fan