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LiamRSharp — Mars Ape in studio
Published: 2011-08-31 16:25:30 +0000 UTC; Views: 6334; Favourites: 165; Downloads: 188
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Description
Here's the full Mars Ape commissioned oil painting, still wet on the easel in my studio. Really enjoyed returning to oils after almost a decade, and though it's bound to draw Bisley and Frazetta comparisons I must admit I'd love to do more like this.
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Comments: 102
I know it's been a while since you put this up but I am just curious why the comparisons bothered you so much that they put you in a funk?(Though in my opinion there are very noticeable stylistic signatures that easily separate you from either Frazzeta and Bisley)
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It's a long story, but you can read about my problem with Frazetta in my journal 'Frazetta would NOT be proud.' However, make sure to read the follow-up 'Frazetta WOULD be proud.'
As for Bisley - I've been in the comic business longer than him, and we share inspirations, but the comparison was made so often and so persistently - and sometimes negatively (as in I'm a 'second-rate Bisley clone) - that eventually it becomes very negative. Anything with big muscles and a barbarian theme, and the comparison is made.
That said, I'm older and uglier now, and I've got over my insecurities. Good company to be in after all.
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Fantastic work. You should do more like this. I love seeing more traditional work over all the digital these days.
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I think it has a little Drew Struzan in there to be honest, really nice work
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You black and white/blue and gold dress thing, right? It's like that - some people see it as white, others as blue...
Not really. You're right. It's blue. It's the lesser-known blue martian ape in blue light at night.
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And also Valejo. Great work,why so long away from oil paintings?
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Wow!!! Glad to see you working in oils. This piece is incredible. Very impressive!
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Thank you!
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More like this please Liam. This is totally awesome.
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Thanks mate. Hopefully I'll get more commissions like this!
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Looks like Frazetta and Bisley....
It's a COMMISSION? damn, there goes the trade. LOL Gorgeous piece Liam! As I mentioned elsewhere, as much as I love the figure work I adore the stone wall. Brilliant stuff, my friend!
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The ape is a swipe from Bisley's The Horned God, and the girl is a Boris swipe. The steps are Frazetta swipes, and the colours are swiped from Corben. The way the brush strokes were applied is swiped from Frazetta via Boris and Jeffrey Jones, but the stonework is pure Jones swipe. Backlighting courtesy of Drew Struzan. Naked babe and four armed gorrila swiped from Burroughs. I think that's about it!
Cheers Joe!
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LOLOL. Thanks for clearing that up!
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Credit where credit is due!
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Heh, swipes or not you integrated all the elements into a fantastic painting!
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Just having a laugh at my own expense!
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yep, I know it's all just influences, no real "swipes"! Keep up the great work!
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Thank you! It's very much appreciated.
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You're welcome! I remember seeing "Kiazmus 4" in Spectrum 8 and thinking "must follow this guy's work!"
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Thank you! I worked hard on it.
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Thank mate, as always - very much appreciated.
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Liam sir,
You truly are on par with these masters.
I think you are one of the greatest comic book artists ever. I have been inspired by your art since the eighties.
This piece is no exception. It definitely pays homage those great illustrators but is in that unmistakable Liam Sharp style. Which to my eye are very different from Frazzetta's dreamy wisky style or even Bisely with his brash gestural pen. Though both are similar to yours, the 'Sharp style' has always had its own vision. Your shadows and shapes usually have a continuity that is sharply action. Compositions are very dynamic moving the eye through the scene just catching glimpses of the incredible drawing, forcing one the read to come back again to take all the detail.
The way you can do such high contrast drawings and make such detailed with out it looking flat is amazing. Even though your line work is fresh it is also very intricate and imaginative even in your early fast newsprint stuff. Where some artists would just flob some part you jazz it out.
Bisley did some great Conan and it was worth a couple of reads but it was very fast gestural style pen work. You had a totally different idea of the pen.
You always dig in and I find that very inspirational. I am amazed that you are on deviant art am that I have the opportunity to see your work.
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Thank you so much for this long and thought out response, it's very much appreciated. So glad to have been an inspiration - it's the best any artist can truly hope for.
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I am mistaking Simon Bisley for another famous artist Steven Bisset who drew for Conan. I know Simon did those crazy punk berserk clown monsters in Heavy Metal. I dont know how I got the Conan thing. Did he do Conan, maybe so covers? I duno. I have it around here somewhere. I have the Conans tucked away somewhere too along with what is left of my 2000AD collection from the 80's.
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I think maybe you're thinking of his Slaine art? It was bloody amazing!
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Oh wow yeah, your right. Yeah it was amazing. He did all those crazy angles and foreshortening too. Made me want to draw like that. Wow!
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Gotta add this to the previous comment-I'm not sure which one is more frightening, the ape or the beauty/mystery of the woman!
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...and thank you again! Appreciated.
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Composition and movement of the painting are compelling. The contrast in color mixed with the highlights draws the eye quickly to the subject-an enchanting, alluring and mysterious woman. Well done!
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Pretty nice painting, what's the story behind it though? How come a nude model meet a 4 armed blue ape on a dead planet? I mean this is a common topic (here it comes) that even Frazetta (yeah, sry for that) used a lot. But where are the roots of this Martian nudity stream?
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They are from the Barsoom (Mars) books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, mostly starring John Carter. Nobody wore any clothes and the apes had four arms.
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