May 2008

I can't believe it's May already. For some reason most of the last month, apart from a short week in Brighton, has been taken up with one painting. Poor old Edward has been relegated to the sidelines while Les spent far too much time painting 'Mrs Cake' for the next Terry Pratchett calendar. Just why this piece took so long is hard to say. There is a certain amount of detail in her hat, which is always time consuming, but it's possible that Les is just slowing down in his old age. OK, the truth is that it was such fun to do. There is a real kick to be got out of painting a character like this and it's always a good thing to make one's pleasures last as long as possible. The painting will be included in the next update, along with Edward Miller's piece, so you'll be able to judge for yourself if it was worth the effort.

Good news this month is that 'British Invasion' painting for the Cemetery Dance book has been accepted for the next edition of Spectrum. Artwork will be included in the next website update. If you don't know Spectrum, it's a yearly collection of fantasy artwork which is very highly regarded and always worth a look. It claims to represent the best work in the field, which it does, but, I'm sorry to say, it also has a habit of including some of the worst. The selection is made by a jury so what you really get is a reflection of their tastes. Still, in spite of an occasional tendency to rush headlong towards the Kitsch end of the market, it always has some really stunning work on display. If you're at all interested in fantasy art then you should hunt down a copy. I'm just pleased that they still accept real paintings and haven't been totally overwhelmed by the digital wave.

While I was at Orbital, the SF convention near Heathrow that I mentioned in a previous newsletter, I picked up a couple of copies of a magazine called Black Static. I was pleased to find that it runs a regular column by Chris Fowler, author of the excellent Bryant & May thrillers. Chris's views on the publishing and film industries are worth listening to. He knows whereof he speaks and is not afraid say what he thinks about the current state of both. I found myself raising a small cheer. At last someone who talks sense. If only the right people were listening.

Finally, I heard recently, via the BBC, so it must be true, that it's becoming the trendy thing to have your portrait painted. I've had some enquiries about this with regard to price, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to say that the starting price for a portrait is about £500. Of course it will depend on exactly what you want; a full length, life-size portrait in full evening dress with pearls and tiara would be a bit more. I get the idea that some people are put off the idea of a portrait because they think it must be fantastically expensive, but it doesn't have to be. It makes a great present and lasts forever.

Les

April 2008

A few days ago we returned from Orbital, the Easter Science Fiction Convention, held in a hotel near Heathrow Airport. The location is handy for us as we can just pack up some artwork and Altaf, our friendly cab driver, can whip us over there in an hour or so. I was a bit nervous about showing paintings at the art show as I have relatively little 'hard' SF and I felt I might not fit in. However, there was a distinct shortage of spaceships and futuristic cities and a definite bias towards what I think of as traditional Fantasy, so my dragon paintings fitted right in. It's been quite a while since we've been to a SF Convention so I'm probably out of touch.

I ran into a couple of old friends and made some new ones, including Paul Holroyd, an artist with a remarkable technique involving model making and photography. It seems very painstaking and he appears to have an endless supply of young women willing to pose for him in a condition which I can only call undressed. Lucky guy; apparently he's always on the look out for new models. Right.

I'm pleased to say that the Art Show was very well run although, as always, we could have used more room. The highlight of the convention for me, though, was the guy dressed up as Hal 9000 from 2001; very spooky. I didn't speak to him and now I'm wondering if he had the voice. "I'm sorry Dave I can't do that". Apart from that it was usual convention activity, i.e. sitting in the bar deciding where to have dinner. Or, if we got bored we could stand outside and watch the planes take off.

In between all this fun Les has taken some time out to deal with the ideas for spaceship paintings that have been accumulating since he produced the last batch, so you can expect to see a couple after the next update, depending on how they turn out. As I'm writing this there is complete chaos at the new Terminal Five at Heathrow, so I've a feeling this may feature somehow in one of the paintings. Unless we actually make time for this stuff it never gets done so the only way is to book in a definite stretch of time, and then try not to spend it playing computer games. Come to think of it there is any number of paintings waiting to be done so perhaps we could take some more time to do them. Oh, Val says 'no'.

We finally got to see Necronomicon in print and, although it's not exactly as planned, it looks very good and the drawings have reproduced well. It will be an essential addition to any collection. You might have to reinforce your bookshelves though. Projects like this never turn out exactly as expected but this one is pretty close and Gollancz have done a great job. I hope it sells bucket-loads.

Edward at last got round to painting The Mad Baron's Mechanical Attic for the novella by Scott Lynch. It's a Gentlemen Bastards story to be published by Subterranean Press. This is something that's been on Ed's back burner for a while and for various reasons kept being put off, which is odd considering his enthusiasm for Scott Lynch's work. Now that it's done no doubt Subterranean will rush the book out in no time.

Les

March 2008

If things had gone according to plan this month's news bulletin would have been full of tales of warm and exotic places and would probably have included a liberal sprinkling of holiday snaps. However, though we were due to embark on our first ever cruise to celebrate Val's birthday, the cruise company decided to cancel the trip at extremely short notice. As you can imagine there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth and a few choice remarks about a certain F. Olsen. In order to console ourselves we took ourselves off to Bath for a long weekend and Val proceeded to strip the shops of every item in view. It may be a while before they can all re-stock, but it seemed to make Val feel better. Bath is a lovely place but if I hear one more reference to Jane Austin I may become insanely violent.

You may be relieved not to be regaled with tales of our time at sea. Surprisingly some painting did get done this month, in spite of the constant feeling that I should really be somewhere else. Les completed the cover image for Dragonheart, the new Pern novel by Todd McCaffrey. This was commissioned by Del Rey, the US publisher, and the UK publisher is going to use the same artwork. It usually happens the other way round so I'll be interested to hear if any Pern fans can spot the subtle differences in art direction when it is eventually published.

Both Les and Edward have submitted ideas for the next Terry Prattchet Discworld calendar for Gollancz but are still waiting for approval from Mr P. Apparently he's been in, of all places, Bath. I hope he didn't try to buy anything.

Edward has been toiling away at a cover for a collection of stories by Nancy Jane Moore, part of PS publishing's Showcase series. The painting illustrates a story called 'A Mere Scutcheon' which is an entertaining fantasy interpretation of The Three Musketeers. I think I detect the start of a long-running series.

On a more social note we've been pleased to see our chums Sara and Randy Broeker, over from Chicago for a week or so. One of the things we did together was to visit an exhibition of Victorian and Edwardian book illustration at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Initially I was keen to see the work by Aubrey Beardsley but what really blew me away was the stuff by Edmund Dulac. I'd only seen one or two pieces by him previously and a couple of his pictures in this exhibition were absolutely stunning. There's nothing like seeing the work of a master to thoroughly depress you. Oh well, it's good to have something to aim at.

Val and I also attended the launch of PS Publishing's Basil Copper: a Life in Books, compiled and edited by Steve Jones. It's a comprehensive look at Copper's entire writing career. I was mostly familiar with Basil Copper's writing through his horror stories; The Spider, The Great White Space etc. and was astonished to see just how prolific he's been. Anyone who has an interest in the history of the Fantasy genre would find this book fascinating. Oh, and it has some artwork in it.

Finally, while I try to keep these newsletters light hearted, I'm afraid I must end this one on a rather depressing note. When I was on a bus the other day a young lady offered me her seat. It was very nice of her, but it made me feel about a zillion years old. Honestly; young people nowadays!

Les

February 2008

Both Les and Edward seem to have been working flat-out since Christmas. Val has had to be particularly strict with both of them in order to avoid distractions such as eating and sleeping from interfering with the "Creative Process" or "Work" as it's known around here.

Les is particularly pleased with himself after producing a cover for British Invasion edited by Tim Lebbon & Christopher Golden, to be published by Cemetery Dance. It turned out to be a really interesting technical challenge and there will be lots of notes to accompany it when it's added to the website at the next update. Suffice it to say for now, that nothing's ever as simple as you think it will be.

Les is currently painting a cover for Dragon Heart by Todd McCaffrey. Unusually, this is for Del Rey, the US publisher, who seem to be a little in advance of their UK counterparts this time. We don't know, at this stage, if this painting will be on the UK edition or not. It's not possible to say how the picture will turn out yet but Les thinks he's gradually getting closer to a "real" Pern dragon (as Pern fans would say).

Edward, in the meantime, has been busy producing a cover painting for Laser Books edition of Hal Duncan's Vellum, a work of extraordinary imagination, and a painting for The Song of Time by Ian R MacLeod. This is a PS publication and another coup for Pete Crowther. It's hard to understand how he keeps finding such superb stories time after time. This is another gem and heartily recommended.

Other news this month is that Les's cover for Lovecraft in Britain has been nominated for an award by the British Science Fiction Association. This is not only good news for Les but also some well deserved recognition for publishers, the British Fantasy Society; an outstanding bunch of people. The idea for the painting came from editor Steve Jones so he should share in the credit, but he already has more awards than he knows what to do with. Vote now and vote often.

Finally, you'll probably notice that a couple of the artworks for Necronomicon have been sold already. Not that I'm trying to drum up trade, but if you're at all interested in buying one or more of these I should get in quick. The book is due out this month.

Val is giving me one of her looks so I guess it's time to get back to the easel. OK, OK, I'm going.

Les

January 2008

I can't believe we're at the beginning of a New Year. I don't know where the time goes, only that there seems to be a lot less of it these days. Just to get your New Year off to the perfect start the websites have been updated with some new stuff, thanks largely to a huge amount of work by Val, in spite of her recent computer problems, and the usual sterling effort by Ariel. I really don't know what I'd do without Val. (Well, I wouldn't be writing this for a start). Ariel has become worth his weight in gold. That's enough praise for him; he'll start putting his fees up.

You'll notice a major change to the site in that there is now a gallery dedicated to black and white artworks, which we have decided, after much deep thought and consideration, to call the Black and White Gallery. So if you are a monochrome maniac you know where to go. A couple of the images that were previously on the site have been re-scanned and I hope they look a little better. Also in the Black and White section you can see all the artworks from the new Gollancz Lovecraft book, The Necronomicon, which is on schedule for publication in early February. Despite some last minute changes by the publisher I'm still very excited about this book.

While I'm in Lovecraftian mode I should mention that, among other things, a painting for the cover of Lovecraft in Britain by Steve Jones has been added to the Les site and Pratchett fans might want to cast an eye over 'Ginger the Somnambulist' which was painted for the most recent Discworld calendar. There are also one or two additions to the Vintage Gallery that might be of interest.

New pieces on the Edward Miller site include 'Phantoms of Venice', which as I mentioned before, I was particularly pleased with, along with all the artworks for the Subterranean edition of Scott Lynch's Red Seas under Red Skies. One of the paintings for The Return of the Crimson Guard, an epic fantasy by Ian Cameron Esslemont, which will be published by my old chums at PS and the Edward Miller contribution to the Pratchett Discworld calendar has also been added.

Pern fans might like to know that I'm awaiting the manuscript of the new Todd McCaffrey novel so I'll be dusting off my dragon-coloured paints in the near future. There is also a Scott Lynch novella in the works for Subterranean, although I've only got the first two chapters to work on. Fear not, it features the Gentlemen Bastards, but that's all I'm going to say about it for now except that Scott seems to be on his usual top form with this story. I think I forgot to mention that we ran into Scott at World Fantasy and he was charming, though we didn't get to chat as much as I would have liked. Such is the Price of Fame. (His, I mean, obviously).

So, have a rummage around the updated site and see if there's anything you like. As always, feedback is very welcome. No, really!

Have an excellent 2008,

Les

December 2007

I must apologise to begin with for the fact that there was no Newsletter for November. I'm sure you were all deeply disappointed. Much of the time was taken up with preparations for our visit to the World Fantasy Convention in Saratoga Springs in New York State. Shipping artwork across the Atlantic takes a good deal of organisation, (thank goodness for Val), and if you want it to get there undamaged, careful packing is essential. We sent about twelve pieces between Les and Edward and I must admit I wish we had been able to have more on display.

We both enjoyed the Convention, hooking up with old friends and making some new ones.

Of course the highlight for me was the Art Show where there was a really friendly atmosphere and a sense of community among the artists along with some absolutely stunning work. It was great to meet up again with such fine artists as Tom Kidd, Donato Giancola, and Jill Beauman. I was also pleased to meet for the first time Charles Vess and Alan Clarke, who, considering the horrific nature of some of his work, was very charming and softly spoken. Oh, and someone told me Bob Eggleton was there. (Only joking, Bob).

Unfortunately we returned to real life with a bump when we arrived home to find that Val's computer had died. I spent what seemed like weeks getting it repaired and then trying to salvage her data. I'm sure many of you know how frustrating this is. Yes, she had a backup system, and no, it didn't work properly. (Thanks Maxtor) She is now up and running again, after much swearing and tearing of hair, but you can imagine that not much painting has been done around here.

One thing that was lost forever was her up to date address book so if you're expecting an email about the January website update and don't get one, please forgive us. We're not ignoring you; we've just lost your email address. We're working on the website update now and it should be live on the first of January.

Les

October 2007

We had some major fun this month at the British Fantasy Convention in Nottingham. The guests were Michael Marshall Smith, Steve Jones and Terry Brooks who were all good value and it seemed generally agreed that it was a fine convention. The MC was that fine upstanding young man Pete Crowther who was in splendid form. Phantoms of Venice, edited by David Sutton, was launched there and I must say it looked very stylish. Les was on a discussion panel with the glorious Anne Sudworth who expressed some very pithy opinions for someone who is normally so quietly spoken. We also visited what is probably the best Indian Restaurant in the Universe. Unfortunately Val came down with a cold at the beginning of the Con so her fun was a bit curtailed. Naturally she blames me.

Back in the real world we've been getting artwork ready to frame for the World Fantasy Convention in Saratoga next month. Shipping the paintings over is going to be a major exercise and it's a problem to decide which ones to take and which to leave behind. We don't get to conventions in the US very often and it seems silly to go and not have any pictures to show.

Les has been polishing up the stuff for Necronomicon and has recently seen a mock up of the cover which looks gorgeous. This is going to be a great book, and I'm sure will please all Lovecraft fans and hopefully introduce some new readers to his work. Les now seems to have got the bug for working in line and is happily investigating various types of pen. Sad isn't it?

Edward, meanwhile, has been painting the cover for The Red Wolf Conspiracy: The Chathrand Voyage which is the first in a fantasy trilogy by Robert V.S. Redick. The painting has been remarkably well received by everyone so far and Edward is feeling a little too pleased with himself. The book will be published next year by Gollancz.

It's the party season for publishers at the moment and we always like to attend. So much business is done by e mail these days that it makes a pleasant change to talk to people face to face. We ran in to our old chum Chris Moore at one bash and are pleased to report that he's still the same cheerful, happy-go-lucky guy.

Sorry to say that the Summer Sale of Prints is now over...

Les

September 2007

The past month has been spent dog sitting for a friend of Val's. The dog in question is a 6 month old Miniature Schnauzer called Buster. Now, as a long time owner and connoisseur of Siberian Huskies I don't really accept that Miniature Schnauzers are genuine dogs in any real sense of the word, however I have learned some interesting new games. These include "Invisible Dog", "Spin the Puppy", "Buster Sandwich" and "Psycho Fuzzball". I'm still a little unclear about the rules of the last one.

Meanwhile, with the remaining shreds of my right hand, I've been busily engaged in illustrations for Necronomicon, a collection of the works of HP Lovecraft, edited by Stephen Jones. This will be published by Gollancz in January 2008 and will be the first time all of Lovecraft's fiction has been published in one volume. There will be eight or nine full page black and white line drawings and as much "page furniture" as I can produce in the time. I think this will be a major collector's item and anyone with an interest in the macabre will want to own a copy. The artwork will be on the website after the January update.

Other news is that there is an interview in the current issue of Rue Morgue magazine called "Through the Eyes of Les Edwards" in which I name names and lift the lid on the dark goings-on in the publishing industry. (Only joking)

I'm extremely pleased to say that both Les and Edward have been nominated for the Best Artist Award by the British Fantasy Society. I know it's an old cliché, but it's true nevertheless, that being nominated is a real honour. The awards will be announced at the British Fantasy Convention on 23 September and both Les and Edward will certainly be there. As there is to be an Art Show this year I hope to be showing some stuff although it will be mainly prints as transporting framed paintings to Nottingham from Ilford has turned out to be more difficult than you might suspect.

Even more good news is that Edward has also been nominated in the Artist category of the World Fantasy Awards. He is, naturally, delighted with this. Let's just hope he doesn't get too smug. This is his fourth nomination so keep your fingers crossed. Les and Edward will both be at the World Fantasy Convention which will be in Saratoga Springs, USA, between 1-4 November, and will both be showing in the art show. Ever the optimist, Ed is preparing his acceptance speech even now.

A small reminder that the Big Summer Sale of prints finishes at the end of September.

Les

August 2007

The first thing to mention this month is our shiny new search facility. We've had a lot of requests for this so here it is thanks to some sleepless nights on the part of Ariel. Just click on image search and away you go. Just like a real website. If you find any bugs don't hesitate to get in touch; Ariel will be delighted.

I'm pleased to say that the Summer Sale of Prints has been well received. Val is managing to keep up with demand, just about, but I think the owner of our local Post Office is wondering what's going on. Perhaps he'll consider giving us special rates. Then again, perhaps he won't

All the artwork for Scott Lynch's Red Seas under Red Skies is now complete and some of the images can be seen at www.subterraneanpress.com. I know I banged on about this before, but the Gentleman Bastards series is well worth your attention.

You can see the painting for the cover of Stephen Gallagher's Plots and Misadventures at www.subterraneanpress.com as well. Gallagher, the author of the stunning Nightmare with Angel, among many others, doesn't need any introduction from me, but just in case you haven't read him; do so now, at once, without delay.

Also this month, Edward delivered the cover for Phantoms of Venice by David Sutton. Ed tells me he is particularly pleased with this piece and at least one person agrees with him as the artwork has already been sold. You can see it at www.screamingdreams.com. I hope you agree with me that the designer has done a particularly classy job on this. If only it were always so.

Next year's Terry Pratchett's Discworld Collectors' Edition Calendar, published by Gollancz, will have images by both Les and Edward. Les has taken inspiration from Moving Pictures, and - at the suggestion of TP himself - Ed has painted an image from Wintersmith. If all goes to plan I guess the calendar will be available just before Christmas and, no, it's not far away!

See you next month.

Les

July 1st, 2007

After a certain amount of badgering from various quarters, not least webmaster Ariel, (he's very strict), here's an attempt at a newsletter to keep you more or less up to date with events in the Les Edwards / Edward Miller multiverse. The plan is to write the news column on a monthly basis (yeah, right...)

There are some new images on both sites this month, including some 'vintage' stuff rescued from the catacombs. Monty Python fans might be interested to see the album cover for The Final Rip Off which dates from 1987 and was pretty much 'art directed' by Terry Jones.

If you've been thinking of buying a print for ages but are still making up your mind to take the plunge, then now's the time to do it. As it's summer (allegedly) we're holding a "summer sale" on all prints until September 30th - prices have been reduced by 20% across the site.

Speaking of prices, as we've now started to show them in Euros as well as UK Pounds and US Dollars it gave us the opportunity to reconsider some of the finished artwork asking prices. You will find that a number of pieces have been reduced in price. Only a few have become more expensive... honest.

On the subject of new work mention really must be made of The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Scott Lynch is one of the best things to happen to the fantasy genre in a long time and Subterranean Press has published a version illustrated by Edward Miller with a cover and four interior pieces. If it hasn't sold out you can find a copy at www.subterraneanpress.com but even if you can't find the illustrated version, read the book anyway. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Ed has also been commissioned to illustrate the sequel - Red Seas Under Red Skies - and you can see the cover on the Subterranean site (although it hasn't been added to Ed's own site just yet).

Pern fans will find the cover of the new Todd McCaffrey novel Dragon Harper in the Fantasy Gallery here on the Les Edwards site. The dragon is slightly different in this one after some input from fans and Todd himself. I hope I'm getting a bit closer to the 'proper' look. The book is not due to be published until January 2008 so you'll just have to guess what it's all about until then.

Also added to the Les site are some pieces done for Resolution Asset Management via their advertising company RPM3. Each painting depicts a Superhero representing one of the four boutique companies. As you'll see each character was painted individually and then digitally added to the scene. Good fun!

Finally I must mention that those fine people at PS Publishing (strong, manly Pete and the alluring and sophisticated Nicky) have published three editions of Steven King's The Colorado Kid. One is illustrated by Edward Miller with a cover and five interior paintings. The original artworks have all been sold but you can see them in Ed's Noir gallery and get more information regarding the books at www.pspublishing.co.uk.

This prompted me to visit the crypt once again and blow the cobwebs off a cover for King's The Dead Zone from 1983 - which is just a little spooky - and a poster painted for the movie Graveyard Shift in 1991. You'll find them in The Les Edwards Vintage and Horror galleries respectively.

Let me know what you think about the newsletter idea and if you'd like to see anything particular included in future editions. You know, horoscopes, recipes, soft furnishings, an agony aunt page, that sort of thing...

Les