This is a page copy of my illustration for 'The Warlock of Firetop Mountain' showing the Warlock himself.The longest road is getting started and after many blips .... This is the start.
Haven't a clue what I'm doing, but ..... it's a start, especially after so many nags about why I wasn't online [yet] by several fans of my work. I hope they'll 'drop in'.
So why so long - ERR.... no excuse, other than the obvious, but I hope to begin adding artwork as soon as I can.
Apologies about the quality of this image, but here we have the Warlock and 'friends'.
This was produced as a request by Puffin Books to be given as a prize in a competition where the book was being launched - never was told what happened to it, or if someone ever did 'win' it.
If anyone does know, please drop us a line.
This was produced as a request by Puffin Books to be given as a prize in a competition where the book was being launched - never was told what happened to it, or if someone ever did 'win' it.
If anyone does know, please drop us a line.
You're one of my all-time favorite artists! You're ability to inject wonder into any subject has never ceased to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteEeeeee! I've been a fan of your work since waaaay back. It's an eerie thing to have access to the thoughts and musings of an artist who you greatly respect.
ReplyDeleteLet me second the words of others: I bought TSR's "Fiend Folio" at the tender age of 10 (I'm now 39), and your work was far and away my absolutely favorite for its clean linework, suggestive density of detail, and overall evocative force. I used to copy your work in pencil onto lined notebook paper and then stick the copies between the "Folio"'s pages next to your originals: you were just that awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the powerful images (and good times trying to imitate them!).
John
Like others here I'm a huge fan of your work, and like many here I mostly know it through the "Fiend Folio", in many ways it was the best part of that book and it certainly served as fuel for my young imagination. Very glad you've started this blog and looking forward to seeing more of your work. Doubtless it will fuel my middle-age imagination as well.
ReplyDeleteAdding to everyone else:
ReplyDeleteI received the Fiend Folio as a gift, and noted your name in the credits as the person who did some of the best artwork therein. Then as I collected issues of White Dwarf and WFRP I also noticed your artwork, and reveled in the evocative imagery. I could spend a fair bit of time just looking at all the details in the artwork, and looking at how you handled the various aspects of composition in a scene. Thank you, Mr. Nicholson, for providing me with much pleasure in my youth; I look forward to more images being posted.
Good to see you online. I've been a fan since the early '80s -- looking forward to seeing what's up these days :)
ReplyDeleteI still remember the magic and wonder of your illustrations in the Warlock of Firetop Mountain, and even more, The Citadel of Chaos. I am thrilled to see you starting this blog!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see you online, Russ!
ReplyDeleteI love the Warlock of Firetop mountain and got bought the original Fighting Fantasy book on eBay recently as a gift after I introduced the board game to my girlfriend :-)
ReplyDeleteRock on, those illustrations are full of life and character and distinctiveness.
What I can say - it's a real delight to read your comments. It's heartwarming to know my drawings have touched peoples'lives.
ReplyDeleteRuss... its totally awesome to see a ton of other people feeling as touched by your work as I am... you work is truly unique, and I'm fairly shocked that you aren't the primary illustrator for Wizards of the Coast or whatever major company is representing fantasy today. Probably if you get a good agent you can get more work than you actually want to do.
ReplyDeleteChalk up another longtime fan, another kid growing up with Fighting Fantasy books among others. Always loved your intricate style, looking forward to seeing stuff that's new to me appearing here.
ReplyDeleteJust like to add my appreciation of your work. As someone who has given you appalling briefs to have to work to, I've never been less than dazzled by the results. I still regret the Robin of Sherwood series didn't take off, as I thought your work on that was gritty and authentic.
ReplyDeleteI'm an illustrator because of you, Russ.
ReplyDeleteHell yeah, such awesome art. So much detail, I spent hours looking over your illustrations on Warlock (my book now lost in time some where). Not just that but Dragon Warriors, your art and the intricate campaign world influenced me greatly in my formative RPG years. Like Reynolds and Pathfinder, you helped define an entire game and world.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing more :-)
Russ! So glad to finally find something of yours online! Like everyone else here, I grew up with your illustrations. I loved drawing as a kid and now one of my childhood dreams has come true: I'm currently working as a video game concept artist. Your drawings are a huge part of what got me interested in fantasy art in the very beginning. I hope that one day my work can inspire people the same way you inspired me as a kid. Even to this day, my tattered copy of Masks of Mayhem still sits proudly on my bookshelf - The pages are frayed and falling out but I'll never throw it away. Thank you so much for inspiring me all those years ago.
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