2010 proving a busy year for artist Duncan Long

SciFi Art Now artist Duncan Long reports that, despite the economic downturn he's been keeping busy, with many self-publishing authors and small presses realizing that in order to compete with big presses, a quality cover illustration is key. Something other artists in the book will, I'm sure, would like to impress on their contacts!

On the "established press" side of things, Duncan is currently finishing up a collection of illustrations for a graphic novel, Werewolves of New Idria, written by John Chadwell, from Moonstone Books.

• Fast-view Flash portfolio: http://duncanlong.com/portfolio/


• Standard HTML portfolio: http://duncanlong.com/portfolio/index_html.html


• Read our interview with Duncan here

Sci-Fi Art Now Creator Interview: Nemons

The format of SciFi Art Now - out this October - is such that it promotes the art of the creators, but there's not much room to tell you more about them and their work. We're publishing interviews with creators here to redress the balance.

Gary Hall (aka Nemons) has worked in the games industry as a commercial artist for over 10 years creating characters, concepts, logos, user interfaces and more for companies such as Sony, EA, Microsoft, SEGA and Activision. 

Now he's trying to establish himself in his own right in his own way, more of which can be seen on his official web site...


SciFi Art Now: What tools do you mainly use to create your art?

Gary Hall: Pencil, paper, scanner and my iMac!

SciFi Art Now: Why?

Astro Zombies by Gary Hall

Gary: I like the crispness I can achieve by using a computer and it let's me adapt my work for different media

SciFi Art Now: What inspired you to become an artist?

Gary: Reading Asterix, TinTin and 2000AD and watching Disney films and other animations, I used to spend endless hours copying my favourite characters and covers.

SciFi Art Now: What was the most useful piece of advice you were given when you began learning your craft?

Gary: Don't give up! practice, practice, practice...

Durham Red from the UK comic 2000AD
Homage by Gary Hall

SciFi Art Now: Which artists most inspire you?

Gary: Albert Uderzo, Disney and Pixar, Saul Bass, Chris Foss, HR Giger, Aubrey Beardsley, James Jarvis, Junko Mizuno - I could go on and on!

SciFi Art Now: What is the appeal to you of science fiction as an inspiration for some of your work?

Gary: I love retro sci-fi and b-movie horror films, the monsters, heroes and girls are just fantastic - the 1950's and 60's was the golden age of these type of films and their posters really inspire me. Men were real heroes, women were fainting femme fatales and one-eyed martian killer cyborgs were one-eyed martian killer cyborgs!

SciFi Art Now: Do you have a favourite piece of work or project you have worked on?

Gary: I'm never satisfied with anything I do! I guess it's a built in survival system to make me create more work :)

SciFi Art Now: In your career, have you had any bizarre experiences while creating your art?

Gary: I have so many bizarre experiences on a daily basis it's nice that they don't happen when I'm drawing.

SciFi Art Now: What most frustrates you about being an artist?

Gary: that the world and his dog are expert art critics and never let a moment go by to tell you "what you've done wrong" or "what they would have done"

SciFi Art Now: What keeps you going despite the hopefully occasional frustrations?

Gary: "Why stop now just when I'm hating it" - Marvin!

SciFi Art Now: What advice would you offer to anyone starting out as an artist?

Gary: Never let anyone stop you drawing what you want to draw! It might not make you rich but it will make you happy.

Web Links

• Check out Gary Hall's web site at: http://nemons.deviantart.com

• Contact Gary via: gary@octopus-ink.co.uk

Competition Seeks Illustrator to Bring Cleveleys’ ‘Mythic Coastline’ to Life

Ever fancied seeing your artwork in a published book, or brought to life by a sculptor? Then grab your pens – or your computer mouse – because the hunt is on to find a talented illustrator for a brand new children’s book exploring the history, landscape and folklore of Britain's Cleveleys coast.

Lancaster-based literature agency Litfest and Wyre Borough Council have launched an open competition to find an illustrator for the Mythic Coastline project, which is developing stories, illustrations, public art works and events to inspire and enthuse local people and visitors to the Lancashire coastline between Cleveleys and Fleetwood.

Critically acclaimed children’s author Gareth Thompson is writing the book, provisionally titled Between the Moon and the Earth, which will highlight some of the area’s diverse environments – including the Bowland Forest, the fishing harbour at Fleetwood and the sand dunes at Rossall – as well as mythic or unseen features such as petrified forests and shipwrecks.

Not only will the book will be published in hardback next year by Foxtail, an imprint of Litfest Publications, as well as in e-book format, but it will also provide the inspiration for public art works to be created by sculptor Stephen Broadbent. And there’s a commission fee of £8,000 up for grabs too.

"We’re looking for imaginative, sparky illustrations which invoke the spirit, history and folklore of this fascinating landscape," said Andy Darby, Artistic Director of Litfest, who will edit the book. "We’ve got a great writer on board – now we need a fantastic illustrator who can give the book another dimension."

Councillor Lynne Bowen, Wyre Borough Council Cabinet member with responsibility for culture, added: "The council has a vision for the Mythic Coastline to capture the imagination of all who see it. This is an extra special project, so it's only right that we search for an exceptional illustrator who can make Wyre's new waterfront come alive."

• Entrants are asked to complete an application form and submit two examples of their work. Full entry details, terms and conditions, and the application form can be found on the www.wyreway.org/mythic website, or can be obtained by calling 01524 62166. The deadline for entries is 27th September 2010.

• Check out the Cleveleys web site for possible inspiration