Creeping back in ...?

Their was I thinking my last post was a bit 'late' and then I realise as I prepare this to do another post I am now even later this time around; it's certainly a bit longer between the posts, but then I suppose as nobody asked when I was doing another that's when things get left to the side and so time passes.

Time passes ...

Then again, why should any people, especially those of you who are kind enough to follow my blogs, ask? This has happened before of course so should I consider that an excuse? Which makes me consider my reasons ... I can open a vault of typical excuses but in the end the fault is totally mine. A combination of being tired and busy elsewhere, but mainly tired. Many blogger's find writing a pleasurable experience but I don't; I thrive, if that's the right word, on feedback and when, like last time there wasn't any I then wonder why, including it's all the sites fault, or my fault for organising it poorly. But then, I suspect most who follow, and many who come to peek, want to look at art pieces really, and in truth, that is a pleasure for me on its own.

The original 'team' 

OK, blethering over, let's consider some pictures. I have three directions [posts] to consider and will start with some stuff related to the Sunday in London recounting my take, long overdue, of the Fighting Fantasy Festival organised by Jonathan Green in part to launch his book 'You are the Hero'.

Most of the pictures you'll see were taken and collected by others, so those who were there, or who have followed the event on Facebook or Twitter, will have seen many, if not all, that I will add here.

Why none of my own you may think? Very simple, I forgot to bring my camera and I do not have that modern piece of kit - a camera phone. In fact I was as organised that day, after about 2 hours sleep, that I'd not only not brought my camera [my ancient little pocket one]. I'd not brought water, food, or very much money, and when thinking myself late I took a taxi from the station and left me with not a lot on the day. For, boy did I underestimate the cost especially as the driver did not use the 'knowledge' but a sat nav device that circled around where the hotel destination was from what I could see. We set of from west London to arrive via east London. In short, it was truly fortunate I remembered to bring some work to show really.

Here Ian and I sign some photocopies of the Warlock before the day proper started.

Note the fixed grin ... and that was before the event started [grin]. It's a real problem, unless caught unaware apparently, I just cannot give a real 'smile' for a camera.

Did my smile work I wonder?

In fact, before I go any further recounting my misadventures, I want to give a special thanks to two friends. Paul [Gresty] for minding my work when I was at a talk and for feeding me when, being so busy signing, I realised I hadn't eaten for hours, which being diabetic is stupid. Did I mention I was tired?

 This also applies to Martin [Gooch] who, as the event was coming to an end, on hearing me moan about transportation problems, stepped in and generously helped me out with solving my problem. So they both stand even more high in my estimation for their generous acts in helping me out, especially in each case when I suspect I was about to 'lose' it. and go off and gibber in a corner. I'm a fragile soul really [sigh].

Fragile gibbering 

Paul also generously at the end of the event made a point of travelling with me so I could catch my train home and I still owe him a pint. I think he might have been concerned about my state of mind, though he said nothing, he's that kind of guy. Simply, I owe both Paul and Martin a real debt of gratitude. But in fact during the day there were many others who were both helpful and friendly, not least the organiser himself Jonathan Green, and many whom I never got the chance of really chatting too. This especially was the case with the other artists when wanting to talk 'shop' who were guests such as Malcolm Barter, and Leo Hartas here both seen chatting to others. 

Rated the most disgusting by the newspapers at the time ... terrific!

Oh we all said hello and made small talk, but we didn't get the opportunity to sit and chat. Pity, but I suppose to be expected, especially when the event lasted about six hours.  

The first panel talk involved Ian, Steve and the two original Puffin editors and I was so involved I missed it. Later there was one I was involved in and though I wasn't asked any real questions it was nicely presented by Jonathan and everybody contributed to the talk. 

It's always alarming to face a packed room of even friendly faces, and to being the first to open the artist intros after Jonathan's presentation; as you'll note, I had to adjust my face to ensure it was still there. Sleep deprivation can do that.

A lot of the time was spent signing, both individually and as part of the 'group' at one point it became a bit of an assembly line. As an other artist remarked, as we looked at the queue winding into the hall, ''they keep on coming!''. 

Some individuals like Olivier here wanted my picture.

So the day was drawing to an end, and I at last had the opportunity to wander around to see some of the other stalls. I think the guy behind me feels as perky as I do by then [laugh].

Thus the day of the first [?] Fighting Fantasy Festival ended. A, nice, if tiring day. Nice too to put faces to names, and to people I've not met with; to long to list here. Nice, also to be a guest at my first British Convention. 

The Zagor created for the Festival, I think it also appeared in the book but I never got the chance to see. Pity the original was damaged a little but not enough to effect reproduction thank heavens.

To conclude, a small peak at a sketch for an up and coming project. 

Oh, and I must admit as nothing is really new I'm not expecting feedback this time. Contrary bastard aren't I. [he, he],

Next time. a primarily picture post related to The Fiend Folio.

AS PROMISED ...

As promised ... a final post before the years end. I hadn't planned to leave it so late, but I've been a bit busy [grin] though the Christmas period has slowed me down a little.

First, a couple of pieces from my work on the up and coming new album "FALSE WEAVERS" for the group Blackbird Raum https://en-gb.facebook.com/BlackbirdRaum and produced by Silver Sprocket Bicycle Club.

First the record cover... [FULL COVER & FRONT COVER]

Plus the map that will accompany it... Sorry this is a bit small, but I believe the original will appear A3.
 

Look out for it all in the early new year.

Also a piece for a new adventure to come from Goodman Games.

To divide the 'new' from the 'old' a bit of colour.

This is the Mudworm from Mudworm Swamp, book 3 in the series 'The adventures of Goldhawk' by Ian Livingstone. I had to create the beast so the cover artist had something to work from, whereas the original 'pig' was created by Ian McCaig I believe.

Now in the last post Springinsfeld mentioned his son was reading [playing] a couple of the Robin of Sherwood books and further to my reply and pure serendipity I found some of the original artwork and reproduce it here below.

For those who like the information, these were done with a dip rather than my more usual technical pen.

Atom made a comment on facebook about, 'Always lots of interesting things happening in Russ Nicholson street scenes. Middenheim in Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay is no exception'. Well here it is and below it another street scene. Hope you like it Andy.

For those that want more apparently you can download the whole book for free.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/93341519/WFRP-1st-Edition-Middenheim-
Warhammer-City. 

I don't know who gave 'them' permission to use my artwork [I know it wasn't me ...laugh] and although Games Workshop have rights to the original book they do not to my artwork being reproduced by another company, or group, but that is the murky world of copyright I suppose. 

Now a couple of other pieces found on the internet. 

 

This [above] from 'The Fiend Folio' ... Meazel's.

Below from one of Dave Morris' excellent creations one of my drawings.

Below is a study for a lizard done in the mists of time. Media ... chinagraph pencil [or similar].

Here we have a spot piece for a Fanzine I think.

 

This picture was never used for 'The Trolltoth Wars'. My final decision was to split the scene into two using it to 'bookend' the text.

Finally a piece for the BFS [I think] for their Bulletins letters page. Remember those days when writing letters was the thing to do? Ah, happy days.

Thanks for being there ... see you in the New Year.

PS: as the record cover and map came out a tad small here they are again.

A Happy New year 2013 to all!

Should there have been a roll of drums?

Well, as mentioned last post, went to see the film 'Death' , at BAFTA, a small independent piece by the excellent Martin Gooch who wrote, directed and did all the jobs that nobody else was available for, and we had a good time, both watching the film, which features my work in the titles and in a couple of scenes, and meeting others.

Now this is where I was wondering if there might have been a roll of drums, or at least a crack of thunder [it rained enough] when I introduced myself to that doyen of gaming Ian Livingstone. Who, along with Steve Jackson, created the Fighting Fantasy series and launched a lot of happy people into the world of roll playing gaming certainly in this country.

As it turned out there was no roll of drums, or thunder, but in the ensuing din around we had a nice conversation, in which he voiced his surprise that we'd never spoken to each other face to face. I had intended to start with a quip about, 'Dr. Livingstone I presume',  but in all the turmoil of reaching him through the packed room .... forgot. I also met his lovely wife, and lad, and she very kindly took our photograph, which Ian has passed on and I post below.

So for all those that wanted to see us together.... there you have it, and who knows maybe we'll work together again in the future.

As mentioned, it was good evening, and day, for caught a 'free' rehearsal of Beethoven's 1812 Overture at the local church of St. James. Most interesting to see how the conductor chose what to emphasis and of course there was the flying baton.... But we're only now recovered from travelling under London, via Piccadilly, would you believe ... Never again on the underground. It's too much walking and climbing for two old dears.

Now I cannot go without posting a couple of other pictures, thanks to the incomparable Andy these come from Blacksand Advanced Fighting Fantasy.

 Also a couple of old White Dwarf magazine pieces [ If I've posted these before my apologies].

Right that's it for now. Next time, some new work.

Blimey tis April .... so the weather goes haywire and so does de' blog loader.

This is a follow up to the last post, with thanks again to Will, who has helped out with more scans from 'Dicing With Dragons' [1982] by Ian Livingston.

Pleasantly busy with various projects at the moment and have just finished and posted a large private commission to the USA. I'm hoping he'll be pleased with the vision and I'll post a look after he has seen it.

Next post will be, thanks to the incomparable Andy, who can, according to legend, pump up a tire with a bicycle pump, some images from Steve Jackson's 'The Trolltooth Wars'.

Update: Thanks to Will again [ who has taken the time to scan some more pictures] there will be a further post of pictures from the book.

Bet you can't wait.... oh, you can.