Carlos Valenzuela is a professional illustrator and comicbook cover artist from Chile. He has worked with companies in the entertainment field like Fantasy Flight Games, SQP Publishing, Comics Buyer’s Guide, Pyranha Bytes, Avatar Press, Overcast Studios, Arcana Comics, etc. Working on projects from book cover illustrations, posters, interior book art through artwork for collective card games.

A huge fan of the sci-fi and horror movie genre from the 40′s and 50′s, Carlos is heavily influenced by master illustrators Frazetta, Corben, Wrightson and Elvgren plus the classic publications from EC and Warren.

So ladies and gents please regard me as I present you with this vintage and retro feature, enjoy! (And don’t forget to share!)

Retro and Vintage

Terror from Outer Space

The Curse of Dracula

The Curse of the Vampire Queen

Sleep Well, Sleep Forever

Queen Amidala

The Huntress

Jessica Rabbit

Late Edition

The Visitor

A Bat-Note

Super Heroes and Villains

Heroes Attack

Gotham Girls

Fantastic Four

Enter the Green Goblin

The Usual Suspects

Batman

Gotham Babes

DC Heroes

M.O.D.O.K.

Marvel Heroes 3

Horror and Fantasy

Homage to Lovecraft

Red Sonja II

John Carter of Mars

Classic Monsters

The Mummy Rises

Do not enter

Soulrender

Waiting in the Dark

The Barbarian

Princess of Mars

If you’ve enjoyed Carlos Valenzuela’s master pieces you can have the chance be a proud owner of his prints or why not commission him to incorporate you in a classic rendition of a horror or crime noir movie poster, just head on over to his portfolio site to find out more. (Don’t forget to share this article with your friends.)

Where to find Carlos Valenzuela on the web

Portfolio: @artworkfolio.com, @deviantart.com

Social Networks: Google+

Jeremy Saunders has 9 years worth of Key Art experience under his belt and I would like to take this opportunity to share some of them with all of you. But first what is “Key Art”?

A little bit of history

Movie posters have been and still is a big part of the industry since the earliest public exhibitions of films. What began as placards listing the programme of (short) films to be shown inside the hall or movie theater in the early 1900s evolved to featuring illustrations of scenes from each individual film or an array of overlaid images from several scenes. Other movie posters have used artistic interpretations of a scene or even the theme of the film, represented in a wide variety of artistic styles.

What is KEY ART?

Key art is a film poster used to advertise a film. It will be what the viewer remembers about the film long after the film’s original release date. There may also be several versions for one film, with variations in regards to size, content and country of production of the poster. It usually contains an image, or multiple images, composed to tell the story of the film. The titles are often designed to go with the artwork and often the names of the main actors are designed, as well. It might also include a tag line, billing block and contractual logos.

Key art can also be used to advertise a television show. Much of network advertising’s main artwork is known as key art and is used for advertising on web sites, billboards, magazines, city buses, bus shelters and banners. (Source – joseph-rey.com)

And now without further ado, here’s Johnny!

Burning Man

BURNING MAN is the reckless, sexy, funny, moving and ultimately life-affirming story of Tom, a British chef in a Bondi restaurant, who seems to have decided there are no longer any rules he needs to obey. Whatever Tom is up to, his actions seem to be tolerated by those around him.

As Tom descends into darkness, fragments of a different story begin to emerge. All the women in his world are trying in their own, very different ways to help put him back together.

Starring: Matthew Goode, Bojana Novakovic, Essie Davis, Kerry Fox, Rachel Griffiths (Source)

Che

Che is a two-part 2008 biopic about Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Benicio del Toro. Rather than follow a standard chronological order, the films offer an oblique series of interspersed moments along the overall timeline. Part One is entitled The Argentine and focuses on the Cuban revolution from the landing of Fidel Castro, Guevara, and other revolutionaries on Cuba to their successful toppling of the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista two years later. Part Two is entitled Guerrilla and focuses on Guevara’s attempt to bring revolution to Bolivia and his demise. Both parts are shot in a cinéma vérité style, but each has different approaches to linear narrative, camerawork, and the visual look. (Source)

We Don’t Live Here Anymore

We Don’t Live Here Anymore is a 2004 drama film directed by John Curran. It is based on the short stories We Don’t Live Here Anymore and Adultery by Andre Dubus. (Source)

Here I Am

Karen is a beautiful woman with a dark past, but she’s got potential and she knows it. Upon her release from prison she realises the hardest person to forgive is herself. (Source)

Animal Kingdom

ANIMAL KINGDOM is a powerful crime drama exploring the tense battle between a criminal family and the police, and the ordinary lives caught in the middle.

Starring BEN MENDELSOHN, JOEL EDGERTON and GUY PEARCE, LUKE FORD, JACKI WEAVER, SULLIVAN STAPLETON and introducing JAMES FRECHEVILLE. (Source)

Antichrist

A grieving couple retreat to ’Eden’, their isolated cabin in the woods, where they hope to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage. But nature takes its course and things go from bad to worse…

Starring: Willem Dafoe & Charlotte Gainsbourg (Source)

Beautiful

Searing and luscious, BEAUTIFUL tells the story of Daniel, a shy and introverted 14 year old boy residing in Sunshine Hills, a suburb living in the grip of fear following the rumoured abductions of three teenage girls. Daniel’s two main obsessions are photography and Suzy, a 17 year old Lolita, a dangerous combination of youth and sexuality. But what starts out as an innocent summer holiday becomes anything but, and they’re drawn into a web of seduction, murder and deceit, from childhood fantasy and into the harsh reality of the real world… (Source)

Lucky Country

1902….the Australian Federation is a year old. Twelve year-old Tom’s beloved father, Nat, has dragged him and his sister, Sarah, to an isolated farm at the edge of the woods. But Nat’s dream of living off the land has died and he is losing his grip on sanity. When three ex-soldiers arrive at their cabin one night Tom, like his father, believes they are providence. But their presence becomes more menacing when one of them reveals a secret: he’s found gold. As the lure of gold infects everyone around him the cabin becomes a psychological battleground in which Tom’s loyalty is put to the ultimate test. (Source)

The White Ribbon

A village in Protestant northern Germany. 1913-1914. On the eve of World War I. The story of the children and teenagers of the choir run by the village schoolteacher, and their families: the baron, the steward, the pastor, the doctor, the midwife, the tenant farmers. Strange accidents occur and gradually take on the character of a punishment ritual. Who is behind it all? (Source)

Candy

A poet named Dan (Heath Ledger) falls in love with an art student named Candy (Abbie Cornish) who gravitates to his bohemian lifestyle – and his love of heroin. Hooked as much on one another as they are on the drug, their relationship alternates between states of oblivion, self-destruction, and despair. (Source)

Suburban Mayhem

Katrina (Emily Barclay) is a 19-year-old single mum who’s planning to get away with murder. Katrina lives in a world of petty crime, fast cars, manicures and blow-jobs. A master manipulator of men living at home with her father in suburban Golden Grove, Katrina will stop at nothing to get what she wants – even murder. When her father threatens to contact social services and take away her child, Katrina sets in motion a plan to wreak suburban mayhem that will leave a community in shock and make Katrina infamous in a way even she never dreamed of. (Source)

Good Night, and Good Luck

Good Night, and Good Luck. is set in 1953, during the early days of television broadcast journalism. Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) and his dedicated staff—headed by his co-producer Fred Friendly (George Clooney) and reporter Joseph Wershba (Robert Downey, Jr.) in the CBS newsroom—defy corporate and sponsorship pressures, and discredit the tactics used by Joseph McCarthy during his crusade to root out Communist elements within the government. (Source)

The Motorcycle Diaries

In 1952, a semester before Ernesto “Fuser” Guevara is due to complete his medical degree, he and his older friend Alberto Granado, a biochemist, leave Buenos Aires in order to travel across South America. While there is a goal at the end of their journey – they intend to work in a leper colony in Peru – the main purpose is initially fun and adventure. They desire to see as much of Latin America as they can, more than 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) in just four and a half months, while Granado’s purpose is also to court as many women as will fall for his pick-up lines. Their initial method of transport is Granado’s dilapidated Norton 500 motorcycle christened La Poderosa (“The Mighty One”). (Source)

Related readings:

Key Art – The Art of The Process

50 Beautiful Movie Posters

Movie Poster Gallery

Key Art Designs

Where to find Jeremy Saunders on the web

Website: jeremysaunders.com

Blog: Jeremy’s Blog

Social Networks: Twitter, Facebook

I think we can learn a few pointers from Mr. Mathers about creativity, after all he’s been hacking it up in one of the toughest creative business environment for awhile and he seems to be doing pretty well. This makes him a brilliant wire-frame of what you could do to come up with killer design concepts or articles when the juices aren’t flowing.

Introspect and retrospect

Eminem’s music always talks about things that happened to him or people he knows, personal life experiences that he artistically shares with us. As creative’s we should not wander too far from who we are, and what we’ve learned from our past. Dig into that memory and look within yourself to get some inspiration. An old movie you saw, the billboard that jumped at you while you were cruising, these seemingly innocent bits of memories can be a springboard of ideas. Your music and literary preferences can speak for you so make sure you start by knowing who you are. Seek your inner flame and let it burn bright.

You will always be hated

Sometimes I freeze dead on my tracks during a creative process because I’m already thinking ahead and hearing how people hate my work keeps me from getting anything done. Eminem had people picketing against him, he was so hated early in his career that his songs wasn’t even getting airplay from any radio station. There’s really no point in trying to please everybody because you can’t, no one can, there will always be someone, somewhere who will hate you no matter what you do. So take out pleasing everyone out of the equation, remove it, trash it and dump it in the bin because you have your niche and people who share the same interests will follow just the same. So keep them in mind and write or design for them and keep the haters hating. After all there’s no such thing as bad press.

Don’t be afraid to go against the flow and get burned

In real life going against the flow is tiring, it feels literally like swimming opposite the current. But if you believe in what you do you will get to where you want to be soon enough. Marshall Mathers had everything going against him, a white boy in a black dominated industry, but he kept on and now it seems nothing can stop him. So don’t be afraid to try something new something that’s never been done. You don’t have to follow a path you can always be a trail blazer .

Collaborate

I’m sure EM has a free flowing spring of ideas, but he makes them fresh and diverse by collaborating with other artists, Dr. Dre, Dido, 50 Cent, D-12, Pink, Sir Elton John (during the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001) and now Rihanna. So don’t be a lone wolf, creative work blooms when there’s more than one person with a single idea. But take care in choosing who to collaborate with.

Related article

Find a Collaboration Partner That Fits Your Style

Create something from something

Eminem did not pioneer hip-hop, it was already flourishing when he embraced it as his own thing. Sometimes you don’t have to create something from scratch, I hate to sound like an American Idol judge but you can always take something that’s already there and make it your own. Create something else of what’s already out there and give it some WOW with your magic touch, do an Andy Warhol.

Go green

Recycling is not only good for mother earth, your creations can be recycled and be given new life. Eminem does it all the time, you can hear words or phrases in his lyrics that he used in one song and reused on another. I don’t think it’s laziness or lack of new material that makes EM recycle his lines, because he reuses them with a touch of genius. “I just drank a fifth of vodka – dare me to drive?” from – My Name is (Slim Shady), reused in Stan. So go dig up your old files and take something from it that will work with your latest project. Who knows it might be the missing piece you’ve been losing sleep over.

That’s it ladies and homies

Take what you can and use it accordingly, and be sure to check out Eminem’s latest album “Recovery”, just pop it in then crank it up and if the neighbors complain you can always flip ‘em the bird Eminem style. Meanwhile let’s all sit back and enjoy the disturbingly steamy scenes between Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan for the “Love the way you lie” music video.

Watch: Love the way you lie – Eminem ft. Rihanna

Our featured artist for today has contributed some of his creations to this interesting game. Guys and gals meet maître Johann Bodin a French artiste who developed the passion for drawing at a very young age while growing up in Caen, France. He is a big fan of science fiction, horror, and fantasy from different platforms such as movies, comic books and literature.

Johann Bodin has been working as an illustrator since 2005, drawing for magazines, role playing games, CD covers, comic books and some publishing companies. Occasionally he would also put up a show of his collection of paintings comprised of abstract art. So if you’re in the area is sure to be on the lookout for such art shows.

In the meantime for your viewing pleasure…

Magic Cards

Deathless Angel

Narcolepsy

Urge to Feed

Might of the Masses

Gnarlid Pack

Bojuka Ruffian

Awakening Zone

Digital Illustrations

Find Johann Bodin on the web

Website: yozartwork.com

Blog: yozart.blogspot.com

Social Networks: myspace | facebook

As full-time visual artists they frequent alternative galleries of Manila to showcase most of their pop-inspired artworks. Whenever things slow down they will keep themselves out of trouble with painting and participating in design conferences. But no matter how crazy things sometimes get you can still count on them to find the time to collaborate with local and foreign artists to come up with a brand new material.

Gaining international acclaim ElectroLychee has been featured in a number of publications, from magazines and even design books in countries like Belgium, Taiwan, U.S. and U.K. to name a few. Their work is eclectic and their list of clients shows just how dynamic our featured guests are, from apparel to hardware, record studios and Unilever, yup that’s the company that manufactures those minty Close-up toothpastes.

Be amazed and gaze in awe in the handy work of ElectroLychee.

Paintings and Illustrations

puddle detail

electro lychee sound system

triad

sundo

clarityII

blue sausages

sci-fi lullabies (set)

Character Design

Just-tiis League

lychee ninjas

Visuals

tv5 rebrand

tv ad “Papa ketchup” (characters & environment)

Find ElectroLychee on the web

Website: www.electrolychee.com

flickr: @berniebru

Blog: livejournal

ElectroLychee studio also produces Electrolychee-branded Strange Creations merchandise which is currently gaining momentum don’t be the only one without it.

Michael Myers (not the knife wielding, scary guy wearing a mask from the Halloween Movie franchise) is a designer and illustrator from Iowa, U.S.A. (also referred to as the “American Heartland” which incidentally gave us the spooky looking, mask wearing but hard rocking band Slipknot*) his illustrations are just phenomenal! He creates these imaginative characters that ranges from the obscene to the abstract or a fusion of spooky and funky that only makes it more interesting and fun. Michael Myers interpretation of the LOST cast makes this feature post of the week because he has given a new life to the characters we’ve all grown to appreciate throughout their 6 seasons. The T.V. show’s time to shine has passed on to the realm of re-runs but our special guest illustrator Michael Myers shining moment will continue to brighten our days for a very long time. I hope you guys enjoy!

The Black Smoke

Jacob

Mr. Charles Widmore

Mr. Eko

Daniel Faraday

Miles Straume

Desmond Hume

Walt Lloyd

Richard Alpert

Benjamin Linus

John Locke

Charlie Pace

Hugo "Hurley" Reyes

Sun-Hwa Kwon

Kwon Jin-Soo

Sayid Jarrah

James Ford a.k.a. Sawyer

Kate Austen

Jack Shephard

Find Michael Myers on the web

Website: www.drawsgood.com

Blog: Drawsgood Illustration and Design Blog

Portfolio: Deviantart, Bēhance, Society6

Social Network: Twitter, Facebook

I had an amazing experience getting to know DrFranken a little bit a few weeks back, a digital artist from Madrid and the other half of nastplas.com, I featured some of his mind blowing artwork in my article “The art of DrFranken”. But today I got one even better, he was cool enough to shoot the breeze and spend a short time with prodigal concepts.

I would like to welcome you to prodigal concepts and thank you for spending time with us today.

Your work can be found all over the web, Deviantart, Behance, blogsites that features your art to name a few, you were also published in print. So we have an idea of your style and fantastic creativity.

Q: Can you tell us a bit more about DrFranken. A short bio perhaps? Tell us how it all started for you, how you decided to be in this field?

Artist, Fran Rodrìguez Learte, “drfranken” was born in La Coruna, Spain in 1979. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Salamanca in 1998. drfranken lives and works in Madrid, Spain. For many years he experimented with different techniques and mediums. Now he concentrates on digital art and his work as a computer programmer in engineering.

My artistic side came since childhood especially on the part Paterna. My father was a great artist. He painted using all sorts of techniques such as oil, charcoal, pencil, watercolor. My mother also paints very well and loves the arts. But my interest in digital art arises when I start my studies as a computer programmer and start to discover a world of new possibilities and tools to express my art.

Q: It’s a creatively demanding world we’re in, how does an artist like yourself stay original? What’s your philosophy on originality?

Being original is the ability to produce something new through the application of imaginative and thinking skills. Currently it is very dificult to be original as there are many artists who have done practically everything, but there is always something you can do and try to differentiate themselves from the rest somehow.

Q: Your work is distinguished for taking a life of its own. What are some of the tools you use to achieve such amazing effect?

I always use several tools to work, from software such as photoshop, painter or C4D to photographs scanned or pencil sketches. Almost always mix several techniques and programs to ensure that the image is as I like.
I like to watch every little detail, but always think I can improve more.

Q: How do you deal with creative block?

I don´t almost never soil block my creativity because I always come to mind to new ideas or forms, although I think the best way not to block your creativity is to have an open mind.

Q: What’s a typical day for DrFranken?

Currently I work as a computer programmer for in electric ingeniería since eight years ago. The free time I have left is dedicated to my illustrations and to update my website and my blog. Normally I spend at day three or four hours but sometimes much more.

Q: There is no question that every DrFranken masterpiece is unique and was probably inspired by a powerful personal story. If you could select just 1 particular piece of artwork that’s most special to you, which one would it be? And why?

One of the artworks I’ve done and that more I like is Old Man Typography, it is a work dedicated to my father with great symbolism for me, which is always in my head wherever you are.

Q: What are we going to expect from DrFranken in the days to come?

The newest is the redesign of our web www.nastplas.com, we are also preparing new works and some other surprise …

Q: What advice can you share with aspiring graphic artists?

I think the best advice I can give is that they are perseverant in their work and to strive to improve every day a little more.

Nobody is born knowing everything.

Once again Thank You very much for sharing with us your insights and allowing us to peek inside DrFranken…

As Jim Morrison once said “This is the trip, the best part I really like – Soft Parade”

Look for DrFranken on the web…

Website: nastplas.com

Blogsite: Nastplas Blog

Portfolio: Deviantart, Behance, Museum of Computer Art AutoGallery, Painter Magazine, CG Society, Concept Art

Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, Myspace