Welcome to the second part of our Classic Science-Fiction Illustrators series. Today we present the unmistakable iridescence of British artist Tim White (born 4 April 1952 in Erith, Kent).
Tim’s extensive career follows a trajectory similar to that of Jim Burns (Part 1). Both started out in the mid-1970s and evolved to produce cover art for many Sci-Fi and Fantasy authors. In Tim’s case, these include luminaries such as Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Terry Pratchett and H. P. Lovecraft.
A selection of Retro Sci-fi magazine covers from “Visco – The Visual Index of Science Fiction Cover art” over at http://www.sfcovers.net/a fab archive, set up and maintained by Terry Gibbons.
Visco is much like http://www.coverbrowser.com/ in that it’s basically a database of scans & photographs, cataloguing Science Fiction magazine publications from the 40’s right up through to the 90’s (why is it the 90’s designs are the worst? ). It’s an excellent little resource with art from many of the artists featured here, and whilst some of the scans aren’t of superb quality the diverse wealth of material more than makes up for it – a great read!
Notes on the above images:
(Top) 1981 cover art from Avatar creature designer Wayne Barlowe
(2nd Top) An action packed 1974 Cover from Tim
Another sample from Tim White used for the cover of the 1983 novel “Welcome Chaos” by Kate Wilhem. Though not strictly a Sci-Fi image in the most obvious sense (that really doesn’t matter here) I’ve decided to feature this because it’s simultaneously naff & cheesy but also dramatically striking in that pseudo-realistic neon style that’s so quintessentially 1980’s – think Athena Posters….
Uk artist Tim White has his own site, with extensive gallery and shop: http://www.tim-white.co.uk/
More from blog favourite Tim White, a blend of Sci-fi and Fantasy “Dragon Drone” was also used as box art for one of Psygnosis’s lesser known titles “Amnios” released in 1991 – more about that here: http://www.mobygames.com/game/amnios
Tim White’s paintings are collected in his anthology “The Science Fiction and Fantasy World of Tim White” available for a modest price via Amazon, check here.
Scan sourced via the #01 space & astronomical art journal “Astrona” http://astrona.blogspot.com/ excellent site!
A parched alien landscape rendered in a psychedelic colour scheme, Tim Whites cover for the 1988 Science Fiction novel “The Krugg Syndrome” written by Angus McAllister.
Image Sourced via Astrona http://astrona.blogspot.com/
Another lovingly crafted and perfectly lighted piece of Sci-Fi Art from Tim White. The sort of subject matter that defines what’s great about the genre, a field mouse in a Bacofoil Spacesuit? – head-scratching brilliance!
The image is sourced from pretty much the ultimate Sci-fi Art library online: http://astrona.blogspot.com/ very comprehensive, check it out….
