I’m loving your commentary and your astute observations. Corben boggles my mind as well. I would love to watch his process start to finish. I did learn a little about his four color process printing he did at home. Such a prolific master. Great channel , cheers!
Not an expert, but I have that Flights into Fantasy book, which is the closest to a big Corben art book we've got. He self-published two slim volumes of Richard Corben's Art Book. From those sources, I have a little info. The thing about Corben is that the medium doesn't matter that much. A lot of the covers in the 70's that look like paintings are actually gray scale paintings/drawings that he colored using an insanely laborious hand-constructed overlay technique. His interior art is often made with Sharpies, Microns and pencil modelling. He definitely did a lot of airbrush in the 1970's. As others have mentioned, he built models and also used living models when he could. He also is a restless experimenter; in that piece with the big-headed elfin girl, the texture of the tree and background was created (quoting) "by applying the oil paint mixed with a lot of mineral spirits. It flowed down the surface for about half an hour before setting up. I then accentuated the forms and painted the figures." Corben is 79 years old, and still a badass.
Corben used a cell build up and layering, also early computer and mirror distortion stuff, also sculpture as ref..most of his early stuff is streight up traditional, I still have his Den from ariel book of fantasy from the 70s..he is an oddball artist with some different styles, very offbeat, a true original..he used lot of bodybuilding influences and became a master anatomist.
Ha ha! You are not tripping! But yeah, we all thought the same thong. It looks like 3-D art. Only, 3-D art didn't exist yet, so we just thought it looked... AMAZING!!! Computer art at the time was extremely basic and couldn't come close to this. In fact, the number of artists who could even come close was very small, not like today. Waaaay before cell phones or the internet or personal computers. That's what made Corben such a giant. Airbrush was still a relatively new and mysterious thing, and he was breaking barriers with it.
He says what materials he uses in vol 1&2 of the Corben art books. The textures on the trees at 18:25 for example, that was made by letting mineral spirits drip down the board.
I grew up on Richard Corben. From the movie Heavy Metal when I was 12 I've been following his work. Yes, my parents let me buy and watch adult material as a kid. I bought Den GNs Neverwhere and Muvovum before I was 15. Hollywood needs to make a Dent movie starring Vin Diesel and directed by the guy, who did Mandy, to get that Corben color palette. PS - Please, do a review of artist Greg "Dark One" Williams of Animal Mystic game. His use of markers to color with extreme detail is unparalleled.
@@RichardFriendartist He has a page on Deviant Art. Sadly, for some reason he's locked out of his account, so he hasn't been able to update. I can understand why you wouldn't know him because he was part of the independent comics 90s era, which pretty much has been erased from history. I can't find any comics during that time at cons. Anyways he was a part of Sirius Comics with Joseph Linsner and his book Animal Mystic was very popular at the time. He dropped out of drawing comics in the 2000s, but he's done rare comic book work from time to time. Currently he's focusing on tattooing. www.deviantart.com/planetdarkone
I read an interview with Corben once on Heavy Metal. They asked him "Why do you make your women with such large boobs" and he answered "Because they're not men" I'm certainly misquoting but that's the gist of it
Haha. It's not like men walk around with those kind of bodies either I mean if people get offended by that, then they need to stop looking at fantasy art. It's in the title "fantasy"!! Bring on the naked dudes snd girls! ;)
Rich! Yes his good stuffs good. Definitely an artists artist, I can relate there I know I make stuff that even I cringe at but people love. And there are times I look and say wow I did that... when I look at his body of works I’d be lost and assume it’s not all the same guy, but in reflection there are a lot of us striving to find our style/ genre ... to sum it all up he has a little of something for everyone... I live my career in state of being an oxymoron. I like to do wetf I want but also need a payday 🥺
@@RichardFriendartist I don't know if this will let me post links, but I think this is the only image that exists of him using one. I read an old interview where he talks about it. pbs.twimg.com/media/EKz89x6WsAEA4Hm?format=png&name=900x900. (If you can't see this, just good search "Richard Corben clay models"
@@ComicKelsey dude that is epic!! The one photo that I had seen was from way earlier like maybe this late seventies or early eighties. I'll try and hunt it down!
While you were showing the art, I could hear a background noise, like an AC or maybe pc fans, but it had a weird effect of making the art more ethereal. Might just be imagining it lol. Maybe the art is what's making me imagine the noise, no idea. But thank you, the art was absolutely stunning, and I agree with pretty much all of your assessments of his work. A lot does fall into the category of Fine Art, and the lighting on those rocks was nothing less than genius. Thanks for the vid, really enjoyed it :)
@@RichardFriendartist Maybe, but it made a really cool atmosphere to watch the art :) The thing you were trying to identify that the wolf was carrying, while dragging the other victim, looked like a head neck and upper torso, with most of the face chewed off to me. (Or maybe I just have a really dark imagination lol)
I wish he would allow to have his stuff reprinted. It would sell great. Like a DEN omnibus? That would be unreal. Or that hardcover book at the convention in english? Cmon brother!
@@ScottPutnamART Sadly its old. But hopefully this isn't the last. I think Corben needs people to really get behind his work and get it into print. He has so much great stuff that is hard to find these days. Look the prices for his stuff on Amazon!
Oh is it. Interesting. You saying that I do actually remember something about that. Maybe you told me before when I showed you that I had gotten the magazine. I still love it and it's clear Corben is a super bad ass!!
In the minute 18 you talk about how weird are the proportions in the main figure on the painting, just tell thet the tittle of that painting is: The Dwarf. 😊
I'm finding that all the knowledge and skill I've accumulated over the years has made me a little stiff. I'm trying to find that charm and flow of my early stuff but combined with the draftsmanship I have today. Gotta keep moving forward though. :) I can't wait for your book! I hope you do it on IGG. It's a better website with more features!
Indiegogo all the way!! Haha. Kelsey you have MONSTER chops. Killer illustrations and beautiful colors!!! I always forget the name of the book but it was the book that you did a million years ago. But I've been a fan since way back then. You have the magic touch!!
@@RichardFriendartist Thanks so much, Brother! You've always been an inspiration to me, that's for sure! You have no idea how excited I am to see what you do going forward! I'm going to be doing a book soon on there! I'll race you to the finish line! HAHA!
@@ComicKelsey I'll definitely have questions for you. I'm a little nervous about doing a crowd funded book I don't know how to ship and all that stuff. Lol. I had someone ask me today. I was like "do you know how hard it is to manage people's addresses and ship?" That makes my head spin. It's hard enough for me if I have to ship 5 eBay items I've sold once in a while. Lol
It's a choir for sure, but it's been fairly streamlines at this point. I can hook you up with all the info you'll need, even printers and fullfillment services. I got a new email since that time we were working on that book. HAHA! govoltron@gmail.com
Not sure I buy the part where talking about an artist leaning into their own style as "regressive"... because it's moving away from textbook realism...
I’m loving your commentary and your astute observations. Corben boggles my mind as well. I would love to watch his process start to finish. I did learn a little about his four color process printing he did at home. Such a prolific master. Great channel , cheers!
His work is incredible, nowadays authors seem to have forgotten him completely, so sad or at least no one to draw heroes like Richard Corben ! So sad
thank you for posting this. corben is an artist quite like no one else I’ve ever followed, admired or collected.
Corben would often make sculptures and light the sculpters as a shadow reference. R.I.P the sad news just hit today. 12-10-20
He used an airbrush and colored under grayscale art on a transparent acetate, old 70's technique but was more common in Europe.
Thanks for the information Farben!
Not an expert, but I have that Flights into Fantasy book, which is the closest to a big Corben art book we've got. He self-published two slim volumes of Richard Corben's Art Book. From those sources, I have a little info. The thing about Corben is that the medium doesn't matter that much. A lot of the covers in the 70's that look like paintings are actually gray scale paintings/drawings that he colored using an insanely laborious hand-constructed overlay technique. His interior art is often made with Sharpies, Microns and pencil modelling. He definitely did a lot of airbrush in the 1970's. As others have mentioned, he built models and also used living models when he could. He also is a restless experimenter; in that piece with the big-headed elfin girl, the texture of the tree and background was created (quoting) "by applying the oil paint mixed with a lot of mineral spirits. It flowed down the surface for about half an hour before setting up. I then accentuated the forms and painted the figures." Corben is 79 years old, and still a badass.
Corben is the man. He's been working since the 60's.
Corben used a cell build up and layering, also early computer and mirror distortion stuff, also sculpture as ref..most of his early stuff is streight up traditional, I still have his Den from ariel book of fantasy from the 70s..he is an oddball artist with some different styles, very offbeat, a true original..he used lot of bodybuilding influences and became a master anatomist.
Ha ha! You are not tripping! But yeah, we all thought the same thong. It looks like 3-D art. Only, 3-D art didn't exist yet, so we just thought it looked... AMAZING!!! Computer art at the time was extremely basic and couldn't come close to this. In fact, the number of artists who could even come close was very small, not like today. Waaaay before cell phones or the internet or personal computers. That's what made Corben such a giant. Airbrush was still a relatively new and mysterious thing, and he was breaking barriers with it.
I've been waiting for this for ages
What a monster
Thanks for the vid! I'm a huge Corben fan. Just shot a Corben video of my own today.
I keep getting so into this that I'm hitting the back arrow on YOUR screen lol
He says what materials he uses in vol 1&2 of the Corben art books. The textures on the trees at 18:25 for example, that was made by letting mineral spirits drip down the board.
My F god, my idol, my master! there is a before and after in my life after seeing his art
Just getting into Corben recently myself, I feel like it's an acquired taste, my younger self wouldn't appreciate, but now it's like top top.
I grew up on Richard Corben. From the movie Heavy Metal when I was 12 I've been following his work. Yes, my parents let me buy and watch adult material as a kid. I bought Den GNs Neverwhere and Muvovum before I was 15.
Hollywood needs to make a Dent movie starring Vin Diesel and directed by the guy, who did Mandy, to get that Corben color palette.
PS - Please, do a review of artist Greg "Dark One" Williams of Animal Mystic game. His use of markers to color with extreme detail is unparalleled.
I'm not sure I know his work. I'll Google him.
@@RichardFriendartist He has a page on Deviant Art. Sadly, for some reason he's locked out of his account, so he hasn't been able to update.
I can understand why you wouldn't know him because he was part of the independent comics 90s era, which pretty much has been erased from history. I can't find any comics during that time at cons. Anyways he was a part of Sirius Comics with Joseph Linsner and his book Animal Mystic was very popular at the time. He dropped out of drawing comics in the 2000s, but he's done rare comic book work from time to time. Currently he's focusing on tattooing.
www.deviantart.com/planetdarkone
ugh please no vin diesel...that guy is horrible
I read an interview with Corben once on Heavy Metal. They asked him "Why do you make your women with such large boobs" and he answered "Because they're not men"
I'm certainly misquoting but that's the gist of it
Haha. It's not like men walk around with those kind of bodies either I mean if people get offended by that, then they need to stop looking at fantasy art. It's in the title "fantasy"!! Bring on the naked dudes snd girls! ;)
As I understand it, Corben used to sculpt figures of his characters to use as reference. I'm not sure if he still does.
Yeah I'd heard something like that. He's a bit of a man of mystery!
@18:20 the blonde girl hiding from the troll has a big head because she's supposed to be an elf.
RIP to a legend
In death, members of fight club HAVE a name...his name is stevie ray Paulsen!
Rich! Yes his good stuffs good. Definitely an artists artist, I can relate there I know I make stuff that even I cringe at but people love. And there are times I look and say wow I did that... when I look at his body of works I’d be lost and assume it’s not all the same guy, but in reflection there are a lot of us striving to find our style/ genre ... to sum it all up he has a little of something for everyone... I live my career in state of being an oxymoron. I like to do wetf I want but also need a payday 🥺
similar
YES! Richard Corben!
I know. I'm watching it back right now while I'm working!
In the 90 he did the same technique but digitally.
Rip
Gorillaz book flip brought me here.. any chance of Love and Rockets?
your content is incredible!
Credit to all the artists. I am a fan like everyone else here! But thank you!
On a side note... Corben would sometimes sculpt his figures in clay and light them to get those super accurate shadows he does.
I would love to see photos of the models I feel like maybe one time I saw a picture of something. But it was a while ago. He's amazing!
@@RichardFriendartist I don't know if this will let me post links, but I think this is the only image that exists of him using one. I read an old interview where he talks about it. pbs.twimg.com/media/EKz89x6WsAEA4Hm?format=png&name=900x900. (If you can't see this, just good search "Richard Corben clay models"
@@ComicKelsey dude that is epic!! The one photo that I had seen was from way earlier like maybe this late seventies or early eighties. I'll try and hunt it down!
While you were showing the art, I could hear a background noise, like an AC or maybe pc fans, but it had a weird effect of making the art more ethereal.
Might just be imagining it lol.
Maybe the art is what's making me imagine the noise, no idea.
But thank you, the art was absolutely stunning, and I agree with pretty much all of your assessments of his work.
A lot does fall into the category of Fine Art, and the lighting on those rocks was nothing less than genius.
Thanks for the vid, really enjoyed it :)
When I record using the OBS. Sometimes it will kick the fan on for my PC. Might be that!
@@RichardFriendartist Maybe, but it made a really cool atmosphere to watch the art :)
The thing you were trying to identify that the wolf was carrying, while dragging the other victim, looked like a head neck and upper torso, with most of the face chewed off to me. (Or maybe I just have a really dark imagination lol)
@@christinevenner183 that's part of the fun!! Haha
Awesome Richard ! in good time!
Cool are you a Corben fan?? I could see a little bit of that in your work maybe!
I found the interview. If you're interested, it's on Heavy Metal June-81 edition
I might have that. I'll look. thanks!!
@@RichardFriendartist You should its a good read. Its also the reason why he doesn't do interviews....
I wish he would allow to have his stuff reprinted. It would sell great. Like a DEN omnibus? That would be unreal. Or that hardcover book at the convention in english? Cmon brother!
I was REEEEEEALLY close to grabbing that book. I went back I think 2 times to kind of decide. It was close but it just didn't totally rock me.
Did you see his Son Of Mutant World kickstarter ?
@@williamhernandez5542 I just found that. I think its closed?
@@ScottPutnamART Sadly its old. But hopefully this isn't the last. I think Corben needs people to really get behind his work and get it into print. He has so much great stuff that is hard to find these days. Look the prices for his stuff on Amazon!
@@williamhernandez5542 how can we do that? I feel like there is little risk for crowdfunding for past works made into deluxe hardcovers
You know what? I would love it if a studio made a movie based on Den of Neverwhere.
Corben is 80 I believe and there are pictures floating around.
That heavy metal cover is a collaborative work, I forget the other artist though
Oh is it. Interesting. You saying that I do actually remember something about that. Maybe you told me before when I showed you that I had gotten the magazine. I still love it and it's clear Corben is a super bad ass!!
@@RichardFriendartist absolutely, his presence is so dominant that I thought it screamed Corben
@@RichardFriendartist His name is Rick Courtney.
The artist you're talking about is stevie ray Vaughn bode😋
Lolol
In the minute 18 you talk about how weird are the proportions in the main figure on the painting, just tell thet the tittle of that painting is: The Dwarf. 😊
I'm finding that all the knowledge and skill I've accumulated over the years has made me a little stiff. I'm trying to find that charm and flow of my early stuff but combined with the draftsmanship I have today. Gotta keep moving forward though. :) I can't wait for your book! I hope you do it on IGG. It's a better website with more features!
Indiegogo all the way!! Haha. Kelsey you have MONSTER chops. Killer illustrations and beautiful colors!!! I always forget the name of the book but it was the book that you did a million years ago. But I've been a fan since way back then. You have the magic touch!!
@@RichardFriendartist Thanks so much, Brother! You've always been an inspiration to me, that's for sure! You have no idea how excited I am to see what you do going forward! I'm going to be doing a book soon on there! I'll race you to the finish line! HAHA!
@@ComicKelsey I'll definitely have questions for you. I'm a little nervous about doing a crowd funded book I don't know how to ship and all that stuff. Lol. I had someone ask me today. I was like "do you know how hard it is to manage people's addresses and ship?" That makes my head spin. It's hard enough for me if I have to ship 5 eBay items I've sold once in a while. Lol
It's a choir for sure, but it's been fairly streamlines at this point. I can hook you up with all the info you'll need, even printers and fullfillment services. I got a new email since that time we were working on that book. HAHA! govoltron@gmail.com
@@ComicKelsey ok cool. Thank you!
Not sure I buy the part where talking about an artist leaning into their own style as "regressive"... because it's moving away from textbook realism...