Category: Fantasy

The “Low Art” of Frazetta

It was as an adolescent that I was first exposed to the work of fantasy and sci-fi illustrator Frank Frazetta. In his heyday, he was in a class all his own. His paintings could be found on magazines, paperback novels, album covers, and so many other mediums. He began in the 40s and 50s inking for various comic strips and comic books, though a lot of his early work was uncredited, as he was often filling in for the main artist. From the 60s through the 80s, his cover art was so pervasive that, even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ve probably come across his work somewhere. Any fan of the fantasy characters Conan the Barbarian or Tarzan have seen dozens of examples. Early Warren magazines Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella, and Blazing Combat featured Frazetta as well.

Early comic cover art by Frazetta
Thrilling Comics series ran from 1940 – 1961. Several issues featured cover art by Frazetta
Another example of early Frazetta comic book work
Death Dealer, used on several magazine and book covers
By Frank Frazetta – featured on the cover of 1965’s first issue of Blazing Combat magazine.
One of several Molly Hatchet album covers to feature Frazetta’s work
The first issue of Creepy magazine featured “Werewolf” – one of the last stories that was fully illustrated by Frazetta

In those days, most commissioned art involved a “once and done” illustration. He was one of the first artists who licensed his work for a specific use but retained the rights to use it again for another project. Work smarter, not harder, right?

 

One of his most easily recognized paintings – “The Barbarian.”

Note the Rubenesque female character at his feet. Many of the women he depicted were curvy and full figured. Also, he tended to leave the background slightly out of focus, but on close examination, it contains subtle thematic images hidden in the blurred periphery.

In college in the mid 80s, I took a drawing class. During a discussion with the professor, we were talking about various artistic style, and I mentioned Frazetta. He quickly (and rather vehemently, I might add) dismissed his work as “throw away,” “crap,” and lacking the qualities of “fine art.” While I agree that most of his work was commissioned for magazines and book covers, it also features very complex use of color and composition that a lot of similarly commissioned illustrations lack. I believe the professor’s comments spoke more to elitist snobbery, and less what constitutes fine art. During a different conversation, he showed a sculpture he had made. He boasted that he created the particular color pattern on the bronze cast by urinating on the metal while it was still warm. Using that comparison, Frazetta was not nearly as avant guard, though I don’t see it as in any way less sophisticated.

I think the most accurate comparison to Frazetta is Norman Rockwell.

Although his subject matter is entirely different, Rockwell’s work was also commissioned for commercial use. Like Frazetta, Rockwell is sometimes dismissed as “just an illustrator.” Had he sold his work to an individual instead of a publication, it would be “high art.” As time has passed, their contributions have found a greater appreciation in the “real art” community.

The Motion Picture Academy Awards don’t only go to the small art house projects. Popular blockbusters also get recognized for quality. Sometimes, the art made for the consumption of the masses is excellent, too.

-Toph

 

Flying your Freak Flags

We often get together with friends to watch football. If we’re lucky enough that one of our teams is available on TV, we can watch at home.  Or (since they are often out of market,) we have to go to a sports bar. Some friends came over the other day, and my wife got a little football banner to put out on the front porch for the occasion.

Must be game day at our house.

I got to thinking (the activity that usually prompts these little literary anecdotes,) about battle standards and military flags. They don’t make a lot of sense now, except in parades or special ceremonies, but as recently as the late 1800s (and dating all the way back to the earliest days of organized warfare,) signs and flags were necessary to help organize forces. Imagine a football game, but with a few hundred players on each team, and no referees. Now take away the rule about “personal fouls,” and give all the players weapons. It would be pretty difficult after the first snap of the ball to get everybody to line back up for the next play without a way to signal to your players. However, with a visible rallying point that was brightly decorated with your team’s colors and symbols, you’d stand a much better chance of showing your guys where to get together and regroup.

Historical tabletop wargames usually include units carrying battle flags (think of the US Civil War Battles or Napoleonic Wars.) Although the contestants of the game can clearly see their miniature forces while standing over the table, the flags add both a sense of realism, and colorful visual interest to the field. The same holds true in fantasy and sci-fi wargames. Probably the most recognizable example are the ones by Games Workshop. So much so that the term “Warhammer” has been genericized to  mean any brand of tabletop wargames in some countries.

Photocopied from a 1990s White Dwarf magazine, just waiting to be deployed.

Since the early 1980s, Warhammer Fantasy Battle has included units with fantastical war banners, incorporating the glyphs and icons of those fantasy armies. White Dwarf magazine often had examples for players to cut out and use on their units. I have several of those magazines on my shelves. They are all widely available with a Google search for “Skaven banners” or “Dwarf battle flags,” etc. if you don’t already have original magazine versions.

Note the sample banners on the bottom right of this old Space Marine box set from the 1990s.

 

I really enjoy incorporating battle flags into my miniature units. They are a great opportunity to add a little colorful whimsy, and because I don’t actually play the wargames, I can use them in any way I choose.

I am NOT bound by your silly game rules!

GW goblin banner, painted by yours truly.

 

 

The first flag is one of GW’s ready made goblin banners, painted as if it were  a tiny acrylic coloring book. I found it online last week, and painted it the other day. It’s pretty simple, but also very iconic of the original fantasy armies.

 

Smaller goblin, made useful as a mascot / standard bearer

This second one is a goblin that I 3d printed in resin.

I accidentally made him about 20% too small for the other guys in his unit. Rather than toss him out, I kitbashed him into a standard bearer, standing tiptoe on a little pile of skulls. I think he’ll be pretty cool once he’s completed.

Freehand Space Wolf banner, painted years ago on paper. Needs a little freshening up.

This third example is a freehand Space Marine Grey Wolves banner I painted in the late 80s. The pole and attached miniature have been lost over time, but I found the flag itself among some loose, broken stuff in a box. The additional text that was glued below the wolf is missing. The paper is pretty thin and creased (in addition to the intentional battle damage I added at its inception.)  But maybe I can shore it up and make it usable. With a little creativity, it may yet again serve as a rallying point for some tiny pretend badassery.

 

-Toph