Virgil Finlay Pulp Illustrator | Master Study in Pen and Ink

Рет қаралды 6,798

Күн бұрын

In this video, I share my observations of a few Virgil Finlay iconic black-and-white illustrations and render one of his pieces with dip pens, brush, and India ink.
// DISCLOSURE: Some of the links below are affiliate links. I earn a small reward or commission when you use those links on qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
🛒 FlexiSpot C7 Ergonomic Chair
US: bit.ly/3xw2m3c
CA: bit.ly/4cJ2Umi
✨Use the code 'C730' for a $30 discount on any C7 Chair. It's the best time to buy the C7. ✨
🎓 RESOURCES ↓↓↓
FlexiSpot C7 Premium Ergonomic Office Chair In More Details: • FlexiSpot C7 Ergonomic...
Flexispot C7G Chair Review by @BenHecksHacks • Flexispot C7G Chair Re...
THE FANTASY ILLUSTRATIONS OF VIRGIL FINLAY HD 1080p by ‪@petebeard‬
• THE FANTASY ILLUSTRATI...
Virgil Finlay (B&W starts on page 77) issuu.com/djf_dumarais/docs/v...
More pen and ink my Instagram: / longstrideillustration
Take my DIP PEN CLASS for free with a 30-day trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/3PF5Je9
Master Study Checklist: longstrideillustration.com/pr...
🎨TOOLS and SUPPLIES ↓↓↓
Speedball Hunt 512 bowl nib 2pc: amzn.to/4ad6ROV
Speedball Signature 513EF (w/pen cleaner and ink): amzn.to/48eVxQH
Bienfang Bristol Vellum Paper
W&N Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush: amzn.to/43zobLa
Speedball Super Black India Ink 2oz: amzn.to/3NrbuLt
Coppertist.wu Brass Snake Pen Holder: bit.ly/41WkWuN
Large Adjustable Tabletop Easel: amzn.to/4aTBcCt
Swing Arm 5x Magnifying Desk Lamp: amzn.to/3GEFQq6
My Studio Equipment and Art Supplies: longstrideillustration.com/to...
🎥 How I made this video ↓↓↓
I filmed everything with my iPhone 14 Pro Max
Overhead Phone Mount 10" Selfie Ring Light: amzn.to/3R9RBJO
PowerDeWise Lavalier Clip On Microphone: amzn.to/3TDaGXR
Rode NT-USB Studio Microphone: amzn.to/3O1Yhcz
Editing and design: Capcut desktop App, Canva Pro desktop App, iMac
Audio assets: Artlist Music & SFX Social Yearly License. Get an additional two months free when you sign up for an annual plan using my affiliate link: rb.gy/8t9mw
Artlist License Number: PE1wY4
⏰ TIMING
00:15 - The Source of Light
02:20 - FlexiSpot C7 Pro Chair Spotlight
03:38 - Composition Structure
04:52 - Mark-Marking Techniques
07:00 - Demo and Materials Used
08:53 - About the Master Study Series

Пікірлер: 48

@evilcritter 2 ай бұрын

I've been a fan of Finlay forever. The detail in his work, and his patient stippling, are even more astonishing when you realize the time constraints he must have been under. I've seen issues of Weird Tales where he provided almost all the art and spot illustrations. Thank you for these cool masterclass vids. They are such an inspiring idea. I especially appreciate how you choose a small section to explore.

@joachimkowalski1745 2 ай бұрын

My personal favourite (and master) is Sergio Toppi. His compositions, portraiture and mark-making are off the charts! I would like to propose him for a master study :)

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

Toppi comes up a lot and he is high on the list 👍 Coming soon!

@sdovas 2 ай бұрын

The thing you're largely overlooking is not the horror/fantasy, but that in the majority of Finlay's work, he was working for pulp magazines, smaller and more compressed spaces (& frankly shitty reproduction) which meant that despite his meticulous technical practice, he was working for an overall boldly graphic effect, and distinctly NOT for overly realistic representation of the play of light. Plus, apropos of nothing, his stuff is a freakout to observe closely or try to emulate.

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

oh, I did mention that the effects were appropriate for pulp horror illustrations, though you're right I didn't emphasize that point. @petebeard did an entire video on Finlay that covers everything I've left unsaid (to keep my video short, I just referenced his video for those interested). The key takeaway from my video is to practice observation skills when doing master studies, aiming to understand how they made decisions. I agree, Finlay's focus had to be more on the narrative because of the constraints of the creative brief and limitations of production, and he made it work brilliantly.

@bakedbeings 2 ай бұрын

It reminds me of early cinematic lighting too, where the light sources made no real sense given the environment (eg faces w multi point lighting.. in a doorway in a dark alley)

@RicDreamlandAvalon 2 ай бұрын

I love this "master study" videos. Thank you for bringing us such good teachings.

@bruceschlickbernd8475 2 ай бұрын

I tried Finlay’s techniques, replete with scratchboard but not slavishly wiping the needle down between each dot. I often see people trying his stippling techniques, but they just kind of jab the paper randomly rather than place each dot carefully and precisely, and it shows. It’s painstaking, and I’ve always suspected that he used those flat elements to give himself some techniques just to get the piece finished quicker. All that texturing is brilliant, but tedious - trying it made me appreciate Frazetta’s bold brushwork on his inked pieces.

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

I agree, stippling is quite a commitment to execute well and a technique I'd prefer to use only sparingly.

@rivards1 2 ай бұрын

Whoa! You answered my request for Virgil Finlay AND made a Ben Heck reference! I'm smitten! 🙂

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

My pleasure. Keep those requests coming, you guys make me look cool. 😄

@ChantelleArts 2 ай бұрын

This is so amazing, thank you for sharing these techniques with us ☺☺

@chrisholmes436 17 күн бұрын

I learned something new about one of my favorite illustrators. Thank you.

@longstrideillustration 16 күн бұрын

Happy to hear that!

@francineh.7825 2 ай бұрын

Very interesting!! Also you are very brave to decant ink with cats walking around lol 😅

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

I agree, they were more curious than usual. I guess they appreciate the good scent of a carbon-pigment mix.

@3rdactjourney 2 ай бұрын

Always great work, Chloe!

@antoniobaston5078 Ай бұрын

I LIKE YOUR VIDEO. YOU ARE SO TALENTED .GOD BLESS

@Freakaboogie 2 ай бұрын

excellent job!

@ANIME121ADDICT 2 ай бұрын

Would love to see you break down the comic artist gerhard, his ink stuff is rad

@coppertistwu 2 ай бұрын

These earrings look so beautiful on you.😍

@jorgemarioconti 2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

@Impaler71 Ай бұрын

Thank you for your informative and entertaining way of talking about the techniques of the masters you cover. I really enjoy it but the best parts are your explanation and thoughts going throgh the process of your study. I bet you have heard this many times but I was wondering if you have considered studying Aaron Horkey? One of the greatest ink- artists in my opinion. Thank you again for all your hard work!

@longstrideillustration Ай бұрын

Much appreciate the kind words. And yes, Horkey is high on the list 👍👌

@romelmadrayart 2 ай бұрын

I am curious of a technique of getting plain flat black without streaks, tried brush and various inks but still get can you show how you would get that on an actual drawing that is similar to finley's work. where the blacks are mixed into the light but also with transitions, as I noticed your blacks for this example are a little streaky -assuming that the finish was not the focus of the master study.

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

My blacks are streaky because I forgot to shake the large bottle before refilling my smaller one. A bit oversight, though as you mentioned was not the focus on this sketch. It would have been nicely opaque otherwise, my fault. To get transitions that blend and fade, masters will use a texture gradation, usually some kind of crosshatch variation.

@romelmadrayart Ай бұрын

@@longstrideillustrationThanks for taking the time and the information

@mysticusfreeze 2 ай бұрын

So glad i found your channel, my favourite master is masashi kishimoto who made naruto. His city background renders are so beautifully rendered and he has such a effortless grasp on perspective

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for subbing and welcome aboard! I'm a bit behind on featuring Mangakas (my list is way long, so many great ones!). Kishimoto is on my list and will be featured for sure!

@evilcritter 2 ай бұрын

Can I recommend P. Craig Russell? I first came across his work in Epic Illustrated magazine and fell in love with it.

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

oh P. Craig Russell is a wonderful illustrator, on the list, thank you!

@nash_life Ай бұрын

New subscriber. Thank you for making these videos. I am a beginner and learning pen and ink. What do you think about medium size nibs ? I am starting out with Sheaffer pop fountain pen with medium nib ? sometimes i am not able to produce thin lines with it.

@longstrideillustration Ай бұрын

Welcome to the channel! Fountain pens are convenient for sketching in a sketchbook, work well for practice exercises, and depending on the quality of the ink you're using - can also work for final artwork. The Sheaffer pop fountain pen performs best as a writing tool, and as you mentioned, you'll find that varying the line weight is limited - you'd need to make your composition on a larger scale, as your only option is to go thicker in weight by going over the lines. Consider using fine liner pens or radiographs (sizes 01, 03, 05/08), as a beginner-friendly tool to get the effects that you want, and to develop technique.

@nash_life Ай бұрын

@@longstrideillustration thank you for guiding me.

@RD-lt3ht Ай бұрын

❤🏆

@feelclean3879 2 ай бұрын

great vid, rules are made to be broken! have you considered doing a master study on Franklin Booth?

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the rebel inker. Booth is one of my top favourites. I've yet to do a dedicated feature, I'm pretty nervous about it, he's my hero really.

@Antisympathy Ай бұрын

Did you create your Skillshare corse yet? If so what is the name of it?

@longstrideillustration Ай бұрын

I did! Student reviews are great so far. Thanks for asking. It's called "dip pens for realistic drawing: get the results you want" and here is the (affiliate) link to my class page: www.skillshare.com/en/r/user/chloegendron?gr_tch_ref=on

@dupontmagoo8655 2 ай бұрын

finlay also used scratchboard to get some of those hatching techniques

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

Yeah, Pete Beard goes into it more, be sure to check out his feature on Finlay (if you haven't already).

@philippriestman8516 2 ай бұрын

Maybe we need to change the way we look at looking and start seeing….😉

@buzzawuzza3743 2 ай бұрын

You seem to be making the argument that once you hit the level of rendering that Finlay did the "rules" don't matter anymore. He'd rather have his piece look cool than sweat it out with legit light sources. Maybe that's the real rule? It has to look good? Reality just gets in the way?

@longstrideillustration 2 ай бұрын

Hi... Hmm, sounds like there's a bit of a disconnect here. I invite you to re-watch the video to see if it clarifies your question. The key takeaway is to practice observation skills when doing a master study, and see what we can learn from the decisions the masters made. Having a thorough knowledge and control of the art fundamentals is the goal of mastering a skill ... art is subjective though in the case of illustration, ideally it communicates what the artist intended.

@ZoiusGM Ай бұрын

1:13 So he broke the rule of value; her hair should have been brighter? The first 'broken rule' is having multiple sources of light and not putting the right value in some parts like her hair and the second broken rule is he puts the same value in different objects; hence he doesn't have a main character or object that he wants us to focus on? And the third 'broken rule' is that he didn't shade, tone properly (as usual) the far away objects: he didn't put the right value in far away objects? So normally artists put different value and shading in far away objects to make the viewers see depth and texture but this guy didn't do that so we can't say whether the woman is normal sized and close to the sleeping dude or a giant woman who is far away.? So all three rules had to do with.. value and shading? Am I correct?

@longstrideillustration Ай бұрын

Pretty much. This happens when the artist either 1) assembles pieces of references from various sources or 2) renders from imagination - without establishing the source (or sources) of light on the picture plane. Ill-executed lighting is disorienting for the viewer and looks "off". Masters like Moebius and Kim Jung Gi who render mostly from imagination are amazing at controlling the light - there might be 2-3 different sources on the picture plane (natural light, back lighting, reflected light) but they make it work in delightful ways.

@ZoiusGM Ай бұрын

@longstrideillustration From this I get that it is only a problem if it's done unintentionally, unlike the dude you covered in your video who must have (maybe not, idk 🤷🏽‍♂️) done it purposefully. In the first case the artist is inexperienced who doesn't know how to shade and value properly while in the latter case the artist is creative maybe xd.