@michaelwhelan.bsky.social
Fine artist of Imaginative Realism. Retired illustrator of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Winner of 15 Hugo Awards. Inducted into the SF Hall of Fame in 2009.
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialLast chance for 30% off Asimov / Bradbury prints. Sale ends at midnight tonight.
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialIn this week’s newsletter, we go behind the scenes with Michael for the making of his cover for Ray Bradbury’s classic Fahrenheit 451.
@shannonvallor.bsky.socialReposted by @michaelwhelan.bsky.socialWe are soon going to have to come to grips with the fact that this shit is asbestos for the mind
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialFrom an artistic viewpoint, it serves as a way to separate the foreground—usually the center of interest—from the background. It’s a common device in art, obviously; examples can be found among most of the great illustrations in the F/SF genre since the early 1900s.
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialI often do that for the sake of drama, more than anything else. Think of it as placing the hero (or other central character) on a pedestal, so to speak.
@kamakru.bsky.socialReposted by @michaelwhelan.bsky.socialA quick reminder that not all of my available originals are listed on my site!
I also have some listed over on Every Day Original - an online art gallery that showcases original art, many on the smaller side and perfect for collectors
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialThe smears of color later caught my eye and motivated me to fish the board out. Intrigued by the possibilities, I saved it to make into this little painting.
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialELRIC AT THE FORGE OF FOREVER (2019) Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 14 ½” x 6 ½” When I tossed out the old container of paints used to do the cover painting for WORDS OF RADIANCE, it landed upside down in my wastebasket on a piece of paperboard I had been using as a palette for something else.
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialThat just about says it all.
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialPSA🧵- Amplifying everything John said so eloquently here. 🙌 We all know predatory terms when we see them. 😡 (You'll find full alt-text of his memo in the replies)
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialThat's a good score. Enjoy!
@michaelwhelan.bsky.social😀🙏 The progression was inspired by Thomas Cole's "Course of Empire" paintings. We wrote about it last year in case you're interested in more of the background:
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialFoundation prints are 30% off in our shop until Sunday (10/11) at midnight. Discount applied to cart automatically. No coupon necessary.
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialCover illustration for SECOND FOUNDATION by Isaac Asimov (Del Rey)
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialNatural forces have regained dominance. The beautiful blue sky has a few clouds signifying the renewed freedom of weather no longer controlled by the city planet and native life forms are attacking the metal. What looks like a simple portrait has many layers of meaning.
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialThe young heroine Arkady stands on the edge of a high metallic ruin and the last remnants of the long lost Empire rise to form the shape of an archway leading through the lessons of the past to a new bright future.
@michaelwhelan.bsky.social
@jontofski.bsky.socialReposted by @michaelwhelan.bsky.socialJohn Lennon. Born on this day in 1940.
@juliusgoat.bsky.socialReposted by @michaelwhelan.bsky.socialThey’re live-streaming the execution of the person they think they can get away with doing that to first. It’s a test. If they can do that, they’ll expand the margins of permission.
@michaelwhelan.bsky.socialJust a reminder that we're offering 30% off prints of Michael's covers for Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. The sale runs until Sunday (10/11) at midnight. These are all printed in studio and hand signed by the man himself. Gorgeous prints of unforgettable SF art. 🤩 ~ME
