Amazingly intricate fantasy illustration by Russ Nicholson, somewhat reminiscent of Art Nouveau and specifically Aubrey Beardsley but swap his mythological erotica for Russ’s orks, elfs and what have you… Anyway I’m not a huge fan of fantasy stuff these days, although I will admit to owning several of the 80’s Fighting Fantasy books (good toilet reading material) from which this illustration was taken.
Russ Nicholson Illustrated a number of Fighting Fantasy Books right through the series (82-95?) and he also produced work for other Dungeons and Dragons / RPG work from that era. I’ve always thought his work is excellent and certainly formed part of my early inspiration to learning to draw….
** Addendum: 3rd March 2009
If anyone wishes to contact Russ please email me: kiekelly [at] gmail.com
Still illustrating! I commisioned a painting from him a few years ago and he sent me links to a couple of pictures he had produced a year or so ago, for Games Workshop.
Comment by James Dickinson — September 30, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
Glad to hear it! I think his work is amazing, totally inspired me and I’m sure many other’s as a kid! – what did
you buy?
Comment by admin — September 30, 2008 @ 6:51 pm
thanks, I appreciate the comments. I’m rather ‘under-used’ these days but still working and teaching.
best,
Russ
Comment by russ — October 7, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
your web site gets better and better. The book chasms of malice had a big influence on me I remember doing a pick a path book in a similar style when I was about 14 for English. And looking at it now I can really see an influence on my drawing style.
Comment by Draw — December 24, 2008 @ 1:38 am
I can’t find a website for Russ. Is he still interested in taking commissions? Does he have an agent? Is there a way to contact him?
Thanks for any assistance!
Callum
Comment by Cal — February 1, 2009 @ 6:33 am
Hey Cal.
Russ himself posted a comment just above – I have an email address for him so I’ll mail that to you…. I think his work is absolutely amazing! – I’d love to see any Sci-Fi stuff he’s done… I must feature some more scan’s when I dig out the old fighting fantasy books
Comment by Kie — February 1, 2009 @ 9:27 am
I’m a huge fan of Russ Nicholson from his work on Fighting Fantasy, the Blood Sword series et al. Would love to be able to get in touch with him regarding his art if you have a contact.
thanks!
Comment by spurgus — February 24, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
Anyone wanting to contact Russ can do via me at: kiekelly@gmail.com
Comment by Kie — February 24, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
Ah, Russ Nicholson! What a talent! I picked up Fiend Folio in my early teens and must have spent hours and hours over the years staring at the brilliant illustrations. The Grell stands out in my mind’s eye, and the full page Githyanki pic… I still have it, in fact, just for Russ’ art. So many great drawings! And I can remember his illustrations for White Dwarf, the Skaven, the wood elves… just absolutely fantastic.
Comment by Matt Bayne — March 9, 2009 @ 1:20 am
Hi – cheers for the comment!
yeah for me if it’s Fantasy Art and not Russ or Ian Miller then it’s probably not really for me…. there are exception’s but that’s my rule… would love to own originals from both Artist’s
Comment by Kie — March 10, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
I agree with all of the above.
I’d also add that if Russ were to have a site where people could buy his illustrations – either originals, limited prints or mass-produced posters – I’m sure it would be a success. There’s a lot of print-on-demand services out there so he wouldn’t have to invest in a lot of stock for most of it.
I’d willing spend a couple of hundred for an original/ limited print. Does Russ have a current stock list anywhere?
Comment by Tom — March 14, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
[...] Sci Fi O Rama Russ Nicholson Chasms of Malice Posted by root 49 minutes ago (http://www.sci-fi-o-rama.com) The grell stands out in my mind eye and the full page githyanki pic hi cheers for the comment yeah for me if it fantasy art and not russ or ian miller then it probably not really for powered by wordpress categories Discuss | Bury | News | Sci Fi O Rama Russ Nicholson Chasms of Malice [...]
Pingback by Sci Fi O Rama Russ Nicholson Chasms of Malice | Wood TV Stand — May 31, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
Yes, Russ rocks!
Though I prefer Pascal Quildaut. Do you know him?
Comment by sci-fifantasy — July 9, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
Hi Stephane – thnaks for the comment – No I have not heard of him! Google does not seem to either – do you have a link?
Kie
Comment by Kie — July 9, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
I love Russ Nicholson’s work, it was unique in its linear style. I just bought the 25th anniversary edn. of ‘Warlock of Firetop Mountain’ just to see the work in there again. He’s truly excellent.
Comment by Jason — October 13, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
Cheers for the Comment Jason…. you’ll be pleased to know I have a Russ Nicholson Special feature coming up very soon!!
Comment by Kie — October 13, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
I look forward to it.
Comment by Jason — October 14, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
When I was a child I spent many an hour wrapped around a Fighting Fantasy gamebook. I didn’t know who Russ Nicholson was but I always recognised his work. When it came time for me to decide which gamebook I was going to buy next, I’d flick through the pages of the books in the store to see if I could find one with Russ’s illustrations.
Now I know who was responsible for bringing the Fighting Fantasy world to life for me and for firing up my childhood imagination: Russ Nicholson. What a wonderful artist!
Russ, if you read this, I still get shivers every time I see your illustration of the two guards – the ape with the dog’s head and the dog with the ape’s head – standing outside the citadel in Steve Jackson’s The Citadel of Chaos. The atmosphere is wonderfully evocative. Thanks for the childhood memories.
Comment by Luke — March 3, 2010 @ 12:54 pm