Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Fantasy History Grail


In the late '80s and early '90s of the XXth century, the famous science fiction magazine "Amazing Stories" was revived in a lavish full-color glossy paper format. I got to do some interior illustrations for it and this was one of them. I can only vaguely remember the story. It was set in the dark ages after Roman rule in the British Isles had ended. This was supposed to be the "reality" behind the mythos of King Arthur and the "Holy Grail." The famous Camelot was only a rough fortress made of stones and logs, as depicted here. I added in picturesque ruins to give the atmosphere of long-lost Empire. (I REALLY LOVE picturesque ruins.) The story had something to do with a simple monk who discovers a manuscript with an alternative history…I think. Somewhere in my packed closets are all the magazines I illustrated for, including this one, but I'm not going anywhere near that area now.

Watercolor and ink on illustration board, 12" x 17", September 1991.

1 comment:

Tristan Alexander said...

Holly Grail Batman!! This is wonderful! You know, as much as you bemoan your lack of published/purchased work now, YOU had real book covers and pictures like this in real magazines!! That is more than most of us can say!