Each of the following images can be clicked on to open a larger version. I do this because the work looks so much better in a larger format.
Yes, despite what your calendars tell you it is indeed Friday. Or it will have to be for this week because Friday I will be posting a review of Silent Hill. And so not to deprive you of my Friday Favorites I give it to you a day earlier. Chris Turnham is a recent discovery for me but one I am thrilled to have made for many reasons. A visit to Chris’ site will reveal not only a sampling of his amazing 2 dimensional work, but also his 3 dimensional work in the computer graphics/gaming realm and some really great animated work in progress.
One of the things that impresses me about Chris Turnham’s illustration is his use of light and the light source. I really love it in the image above. You can really sense the rising of the sun (or setting depending on your interpretation) and the glow it gives to different surfaces of the building. I also enjoy the light given off by the moon in the picture at the top of this post. (Did you notice the hand in the lower right corner?)
Chris’ work features a muted color palette and line work that reminds me of 1950’s and 60’s ad illustrations and cartoons. I really like that also. And of course I like blimps, so my attraction to the above image was a foregone conclusion.
This style of art is reminiscent of Darwyn Cooke’s work on the New Frontiers series that captured my attention last year. Cooke’s work has a slightly more modern cartoon feel to it but I get the same nostalgic vibe off the work.
There is a real sense of fun in Chris Turnham’s work as well.
Orange in its various hues and tones is a favorite color of mine and there is a healthy use of this color in Turnham’s work that pulls me in.
Chris’ two dimensional work also consists of a number of concept art pieces for an animated film Abigail Frett and the Fifty Foot Threat that Chris is working on with his roommate Kevin Dart. There is a website with more concept art and preproduction workings for the film here. The preproduction art consists of a number of pictures of Abby flying a kite atop a twist, craggy hill next to an interesting looking old house. There is a real sense of adventure to these pictures and I hope you check out the rest on his website.
If you go to Chris Turnham’s 3 D portion of his site, located here, and scroll down you will come to a link for an animated short that Chris did with his college roommates. If you are a fan of Tim Burton’s work, most especially of his animated short Poe, then you really should check out Gertie Gutless. It is a brief but fun film that is worth the download time to watch.
I enjoyed sharing something a little different with you this week and hope you continue to tune in for more.
Hey that’s really cool!
I really like the Paris building one – not for the obvious reasons though, more for the light and the holiday feeling I get.
(It’s sunrise by the way. No question about it… đ )
I really love your Friday favourites Carl. there is so much great stuff that I’d never get to see otherwise.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Anne and Fence. I see it as sunrise too Anne. And I’m sure you living in Paris has nothing to do with your preferences Anne1 đ
Man, I really do wish it was Friday now!
now i do like this guy’s stuff… reminds me of old cartoons & childrens books.
Exactly Angela…I hadn’t thought about old children’s books but it does remind me of that as well!
I love the 2nd, 3rd, & last pics. They are awesome.
Those are some very cool illustrations. I especially like the first one, but I don’t see it as sunrise OR sunset, I see it as a full-moon night…one of those nights when the moon is super-bright and has rings around it. The hand and the writing in the stars both make me want to know the story behind the artwork.
The chicken one is hilarious.
Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday!
thanks for the visit today. I like the illustrations. Those chickens are awesome.
Cool stuff!
The first picture is definitely a moonlit night, it was the second picture that I was referring to in regards to sunrise or sunset. I appreciate the visits everyone.
WOW! That is great. I so thought of Darwyn Cooke and Tim Sale when I saw this. Awesome stuff. This just made my Friday. Thanks man!
There is some Tim Sale in there as well now that you mention it. Glad you enjoyed it. And unlike everyone else it actually really was Friday for you when you read this! Hooray for Friday!
Hi Carl. Popped in from Michele’s, and I’m so glad I did. I love the way you write about the arts…how you encourage us to think outside the box and explore beyond where we’d ordinarily go.
We will, of course, keep reading. Compelling stuff!
Thanks Carmi, I really appreciate it. I really enjoy many different kinds of art and I really believe everyone else does as well, but maybe they haven’t been exposed to certain things or haven’t taken (wasted?) the time that I have looking at artists sites on the internet so this is an opportunity to explore different things as well. Plus it hopefully gives others the chance to say, “if you like this, you should check out this other artist ______” I also think it is interesting to find out if a person doesn’t like a particular artist’s work that I put up and why. Makes for interesting conversation. Again Carmi, thanks alot!
Hey, there! I found your blog while Googling for fly cartoons (of all things!) and image search brought up the chicken abduction image you posted. I’ve enjoyed reading this entry and am happy to have found your blog!
Cool, GW. Hope you come back. Every Friday…or almost every Friday, I post a new artist’s work, in addition to all the other wackiness that goes on over here. Welcome!