The Fantastic Art Techniques Of Tim Hildebrandt by Jack E. Norton (book review).
I pulled a copy of ‘The Fantastic Art Techniques Of Tim Hildebrandt’ by Jack E. Norton some time ago and just finding a slot to read it in. Tim’s the twin who died for those who don’t know which. This book starts off with both him and Greg with a strong interest in animation but eventually moved to art.
Their ‘Tolkien Calendar 1978’ sold a million copies and put them on the map. Not to mention a little matter of their ‘Star Wars’ poster which they were asked to produce at short notice and, as pointed out here, were not given photos of Mark Hamil and Carrie Fisher because the studio didn’t think it would be a major film.
As artists, they eventually split up and without access to a book of brother Greg, I’m focusing solely on Tim. His strengths lie in mood, detail and light source. He also relied on models with suitable costumes to get the fall of clothes correct. I do think some of the figure poses are a bit too much flat-footed and his hands could have been a bit more expressive. Bear in mind, this is the artist in me speaking and what my eye is drawn to where an art-admirer might over-look. That’s not to say he doesn’t do them right from time to time so its not an inconsistency.
However, when you get to page 41 and a page from ‘The Dragonriders Of Pern Calendar’, your jaw will drop. I found two more pictures here from the 1985 calendar and considering the impossible task to find a copy, this book looks like the only way you will see some of its art. His dragonwork is first class and he catches the Pern dragons accurately in giving them short necks. I should also point out that there are also his sketches showing how the pictures were built up.
There is a section on working in black and white and an education on the various graphic pencils used to get his work done. He makes a good point that you need to be good and expressive in pencil to show the ideas to publisher’s art directors the kind of art you will be providing if you are under contract.
Speaking of which, Hildebrandt makes a good point about having a portfolio showing a variety of work you can do although I would suggest having it scanned and printed rather send out the originals as you would have no idea when it would be returned.
When Hildebrandt goes over how he builds his paintings, which he used Liquidtex acrylics which is also my paint choices, he works forward from the background to foreground. I do think a lot depends on what works for you although you might try his way to see if it works for you. I tend to build up the picture in preliminary colours before getting down to the detail so there is more unity of colour. Its always interesting to learn something from other artists techniques to see what will rub off (sic) on your own brush or pencil.
Grab if you can as all older artbooks are there if you know what you want and who to look at.
GF Willmetts
April 2022
(pub: Paper Tiger, 1991. 159 page illustrated large softcover. Price: that varies but copies are still out there. I think I pulled mine for about £10.00(UK). ISBN: 978-1-85028-161-0)
