Posts Tagged ‘artwork’

The Austin Browncoats have teamed with QMx to auction off the right to name some cities of the 'verse in the upcoming QMx Serenity Atlas:

Quantum Mechanix (QMx) is sponsoring the "Name the Crappy Town Where You’re a Hero" charity auction. Starting on April 20th, 50 town names will be auctioned via eBay with all proceeds supporting Equality Now. If you win an auction, your name will be submitted, and pending studio approval, will be used in the upcoming official Atlas of the 'Verse, Volume One: The Trader's Guild Guide to the New Canaan Run made by our favorite mild-manner graphic designer, Ben Mund.

The auctions have begun! Head to austinbrowncoats.com/crappytowns.php and click on the planet of your choice to start settling your own crappy town. Statues of yourself are not included.

See, I step away for a few minutes and you guys go nuts with new stuff. QMx released this stunning signed lithograph of the Fruity Oaty Bar ad, by original designer Geoffrey Mandel.

The Fruity Oaty Bar artwork created by Serenity Designer Geoffrey Mandel was the basis for the most memorable power bar commercial in movie history. With it's vibrant colors and anime-style characters (and subliminal message implanted by the Operative), the Fruity Oaty Bar ad triggered River's Alliance programming, after which much ass-kicking ensued.

Although this ad was original planned to turn into a billboard, it never actually made it on film due to budgetary constraints. So, with the exception of the commercial it inspired, fans never got to see it. And we just didn't think that was right.

That's why we arranged with Universal Studios and Mr. Mandel to take the original high-resolution Fruity Oaty ad and print it in all it's glory as a limited-edition, extra-large collectible lithograph, only 1,000 in the edition. Measuring a huge 24" x 36" (61cm x 91.5cm), the Serenity Fruity Oaty Bar Lithograph is printed on 100-pound, satin-finish paper and is hand-signed and numbered by Mr. Mandel himself, for just $39.95.

Head to QMx for more of the story behind it, and to order one from them or from TFAW.com for $39.95.

Meanwhile, TFAW has all your Fruity Oaty Bar needs covered (apart from actual Fruity Oaty Bars). Shirts, ladies shirts, hoodies, and the ever-popular lunchboxes are waiting for you!

New from QMx (or rather, it was new a month ago when I was updating regularly): the Cerberus!

QMx is continuing to expand the world of Firefly and Serenity and is presenting this somewhat more military Firefly series ship as a gorgeous poster.

Part of QMx's new Serenity: Unification War print series, The ISV Cerberus is a Series 3 Firefly ñ just like Serenity ñ but with a military refit that made it one of the baddest ships ever to take up arms against the Alliance

The Firefly Gunboat variant was the backbone of the Independents air and space forces during the Unification War, equally capable of taking on ground targets and capital ships. Inexpensive to operate and heavily armored, the gunboats gave the Independents an early advantage in the guerrilla battles that dominated the war. For her debut, we see our "Big Dog" taking a much-deserved break, reinforcing an Independents encampment in one of the deserts on Persephone. Look closely and you can see some of her crew and Browncoat marines moving under her shadow. This poster is full of little details and surprises, from the tattered 12th Cavalry flag hanging from the side of a gun emplacement to the "Eat This Purple Bellies" scrawled on the sides of Cerberus' big missiles.

Each poster is 12.5 by 19.5 inches and ships rolled.  $11.65 from TFAW.com,$12.95 direct from QMx.

Author Jane Lindskold (the Firekeeper series, many others) is writing a multipart series of blog entries over at Tor.com detailing her opinions regarding the covers created for her books.

Turns out that authors have very little control over what will be representing their work on the crowded retail bookshelves, and since an awful lot of readers make their choices based on a quick glance at the cover this can really help (or hurt) an author's career. Covers, both their the subject matter and color palette, set an expected tone for a book and one that isn't always accurate:

My second problem with this cover is the implied audience for the book.  It looks like a kid's book–and not a Harry Potter-type YA that might appeal to adults as well, but a solidly "kiddie" book.

This is due, in large part, to the one glaring representational error in the art.  By the time this scene occurs, the children are not children any longer.  The boy with the panpipes, for example, is actually a muscular young man of twenty-two.

However, I don't know how many times I had to (reluctantly) stop an adult from buying The Pipes of Orpheus for some eager, bright-eyed, eight-year-old. Usually, I'd ask the adult to at least read the opening–which features the detailed evisceration of a small child–before they made their purchase.

Her entries on the subject include "Look at What They Wrapped Around My Baby!", "When Right is Completely Wrong" and"Series Doesn't Equal Set." Be sure to read the comments as well, where other writers and artists chime in with their own experiences.

Sure, you've seen the 03-K64 Firefly-class mid-bulk cargo transport all over the place, but what about the other Firefly models? We saw some hints in the Official Blueprint Set, but now QMx is offering a beautiful poster by Sean Kennedy of the ISV Cerberus, a Mark 3 Firefly with military refit.

Bringing the Cerberus to life was a labor of love for many talented and experienced Serenity designers. Based on a concept sketch done by Tim Earls for the Official Serenity Blueprint Reference Pack (Tim did Serenity's concept design under the direction of Joss Whedon), the ship was rendered from scratch by Lightwave virtuoso Sean Kennedy. Once the model was complete, it became possible to pose the ship in any number of scenes and scenarios.

For her debut, we see our "Big Dog" taking a much-deserved break, reinforcing an Independents encampment in one of the deserts on Persephone. Look closely and you can see some of her crew and Browncoat marines moving under her shadow. This poster is full of little details and surprises, from the tattered 12th Cavalry flag hanging from the side of a gun emplacement to the "Eat This Purple Bellies" scrawled on the sides of Cerberus' big missiles.

Even Serenity Graphic Designer Geoffrey Mandel had a hand in her creation, creating the Cerberus and 12th Cavalry logos.

The poster is 12.5" x 19.5" and retails for just $12.95.

Not a sequel, as such, but Jason Palmer has finally completed his incredible Serenity portrait series and since I talked to him back when he was just getting started, I wanted to see how he was doing now that he's done. Also, I got a copy of his portrait set and I had to show you guys. It's amazing. Huge portfolio binder with the prints in acid-free sleeves so you can either take them out and hang them proudly on your wall or keep them in the binder for easy showing.

Each print has a facing page with sketches of different poses — some we've seen before, some we haven't — that really help capture the personality of each character in a way that the single portrait can't on its own (love the sleeping Jayne pic!).  But more on the set later, here's Jason talking about his work.

=======================================
You're in the home stretch! Tired of Serenity yet?

Not tired of Serenity, but I'm glad the portrait set is done, and very anxious to get to the next couple of projects, which are based on Serenity universe.

How many times have you watched the DVDs, by this point?

I have no idea… for instance, I looked at at the scenes of Book on Haven repeatedly as I was designing the Book print. So there are lots of bits and pieces, however, I'm always impressed anew at how good the series and the movie is, when I just sit down and watch it.

Read the rest of this entry »

The final portrait of Jason Palmer's Serenity Portrait Series has been revealed, and it's a familiar face indeed.

This shrine-ready print (and the one of the Operative) is only available if you buy the complete set, but individual prints of the other 10 portraits are available in a variety of ways. There are nine portraits of the crew and one of the ship. You can order the individual 13"x19" prints as either limited edition Giclee prints (heavy stock paper) or on canvas, gallery-wrapped on museum stretcher bars. There are also some of the original paintings available. And he still has some Book portrait prints autographed by Ron Glass.

But to get the Operative and Joss you'll need to order the set. It can be ordered by itself or with a handsome silver polyethylene album with acid free page inserts and a matching carrier with shoulder strap, both featuring the Serenity logo. (Prints can be removed from the album if you'd rather frame 'em, and why wouldn't you). You also get character description pages with production sketches and quotes by Jason. Sets are available in Giclee prints or canvas.

Then there's the Collector's Album, which has everything listed above except the album is brushed aluminum with the Serenity logo on the cover, laser etched and hand painted and it comes with a matching aluminum box. You also get a one of a kind, original art pencil drawing by Jason Palmer of one of the characters (varying sizes 11×17 to 13×19).

This series represents a hell of a lot of loving work by Jason Palmer over the last few years and I think it really shows. Fill your walls with this personal tribute to the Big Damn Heroes and their universe. These are also excellent items to get signed at cons, and Jason himself shows up at more than a few. Although he might have to sleep for a few weeks now, I'm not sure…

Jason Palmer has finished the final announced portrait for his amazing Serenity Portrait Set: The Operative.

Preorders are now closed, and you have a variety of ways to get it. There are nine portraits of the crew and one of the ship. You can order the individual 13"x19" prints as either limited edition Giclee prints (heavy stock paper) or on canvas, gallery-wrapped on museum stretcher bars. There are also some of the original paintings available. And he still has some Book portrait prints autographed by Ron Glass.

However, there are two portraits that are only available if you purchase the set: the Operative and one surprise one. The set can be ordered by itself or with a handsome silver polyethylene album with acid free page inserts and a matching carrier with shoulder strap, both featuring the Serenity logo. (Prints can be removed from the album if you'd rather frame 'em, and why wouldn't you). You also get character description pages with production sketches and quotes by Jason. Sets are available in Giclee prints or canvas.

Then there's the Collector's Album, which has everything listed above except the album is brushed aluminum with the Serenity logo on the cover, laser etched and hand painted and it comes with a matching aluminum box. You also get a one of a kind, original art pencil drawing by Jason Palmer of one of the characters (varying sizes 11×17 to 13×19).

This is gorgeous work, very true to the characters with rich, textured backgrounds that provide a real sense of the character's personality. And you've got all that wall space you're not doing anything with…

Jason Palmer has just posted his new Serenity print, the 10th of his crew portrait set. Limited edition prints are now available or you can buy the original painting. Still to come: the Operative, and an as-yet-unrevealed bonus portrait.

Advance sales of the entire set have been closed, but he's also offering several ways to get your hands on these amazing works of art. First, you can still buy individual Giclee prints or canvas versions here.

Or you can order the limited edition set with album and carrier:

The set includes 12 Giclee textured art prints (13×19): Mal, Wash, Zoe, River, Simon, Kaylee, Jayne, Inara, Book, Serenity the ship, the Operative, and a surprise print (only available with purchase of the set). Prints are signed and numbered; limited edition of 300. Also, 12 character production sketch pages are included, as well as a title page. The set is presented in a silver polyethylene album with acid free page inserts, and a matching carrier with shoulder strap. Both feature Serenity logo. Prints can be removed from the album and framed if desired.

And if you look him up at the San Diego Comic-Con (Booth 5359) you can get a special artbook, with all the characters, the ship, and the exclusive prints, title page, and 12 character sketch pages.

Check back here soon for more from Jason Palmer.

First QMx brings you the Little Damn Heroes, then they turn around and offer you big ones. Remember the the painting of Kaylee Steve Anderson posted on his site a while back? QMx commissioned him to create portraits of each of Serenity's crew, and the first set of four should be available later this month.

The result is a breathtaking series of museum-quality 13" x 19" lithographs, printed on 100-pound, satin-finish paper. The first set – featuring Mal, Inara, Kaylee and Jayne – will be sold as set for just $29.95. That's right, four lithographs of Serenity's crew, painted by one of the most renowned portrait artists working today, for just under $30.

Check out the QMx Insider newsletter for a heads up on availability. QMx is having a heck of a week…