Drew Struzan is another of those artists, like Michael Deas, whose work you have undoubtedly seen, whether you realize it or not. Struzan is responsible for some of the most famous and recognizable movie posters in recent memory. He has also done art for advertising, book and comic covers, music CD covers and other product illustration.
Struzan is best known for his movie posters. He has obviously absorbed influences from illustration greats like J.C. Leyendecker, Coles Phillips, Norman Rockwell and others, and brings his knowledge of illustration techniques to bear in clear, powerful and striking representation of the likenesses of actors and the succinct representation of the promised excitement in a movie.
In his online portfolio you can see some of the famous poster and advertising art he has created for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Blade Runner, Back to the Future, Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy and others.
Struzan works in airbrushed acrylics on board with details and textures added in colored pencil. There is a drawings section in his portfolio in which you can see some freely realized, but remarkably precise, drawing in colored pencil on toned paper.
The portfolio is arranged so that the initial click gives you a brief description and a detail image, which is linked to the full size images. the detail images occasionally give a hint at the wonderful surface and texture characteristics of his work and make you wish they were reproduced larger.
Fortunately, there are three (as far as I know) collections of his work: The Movie Posters Of Drew Struzan, The Art of Drew Struzan – Star Wars Portfolio and Drew Struzan: Oeuvre.
[Link courtesy of Michael Hirsh of Articles and Texticles]
Lovely. As always, Struzan has his own hand and look. Viewing the site I realized how much I miss this “age” of movie posters-which wasn’t that long ago, the heyday for his work in that field was the 1980′s when directors specifically asked for his style. Bob Peak had a similiar feel. It comes down to, with both artists, good drawing(which is why the drawings on the site are so nice to see). In the mid-90′s and beyond CG movie posters and photo re-works took over and everything looked so bland. Art posters always had something, and Struzan’s defined a generation.
hello everyone,
The Official Drew Struzan Web Site
has been redesigned with all new artwork.
Drew has opened up his archive vault
to share with us many of his Poster Art,
and some of his private Fine Art.
Many fantastic and memorable poster images,
some to view and meditate and
some to purchase for your collection.
The time is now to own and cherish an original DREW artwork, before its all gone.
Check out his official site.
http://www.drewstruzan.com/
thanks,
joe
Drew Struzan: An Artist’s Vision
February 13, 2009 – March 2, 2009
Opening Reception / Feb 13, 7:00PM – 11:00PM
210 East Main St, Alhambra CA. 91801
(626)458-7477
Select famous works from Drew Struzan’s career will be featured in this exhibit as well as contemporary
personal works and high quality reproductions.
The artist himself will be in attendance during the opening reception on Friday, February 13, 2009.
This is a rare opportunity to view these
culturally iconic works firsthand.
The exhibit runs through March 2 and admission is free.
Hope to see you there!
http://www.gallerynucleus.com