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reviews_and_ramblings) wrote2008-07-17 09:19 am
reviews_and_ramblings) wrote2008-07-17 09:19 am
Behind the Cover: Alan Pollack
Alan Pollack was born in New Jersey in 1964. He began drawing at an early age. Influenced by artists such as Frazetta, Boris, the Hildebrandts and Michael Whelan, Alan decided that fantasy illustration was to be his career of choice.
After graduating from high school, he studied at several colleges. At the School of Visual Arts in NYC, the illustration team of Martucci and Greisbach convinced Alan to dabble in oils. He was so inspired by his first attempts that he began developing a portfolio of fantasy illustration.
In his early 20's, while living with his parents, Alan worked part time as a silk screener and a photo retoucher while continuing to build his portfolio. In 1991, after much rejection from New York publishers, Alan Pollack was assigned his first cover illustration for Dungeon magazine with TSR.
In 1994, the work became steady and he left his part time job. Alan then found an agent in NYC, but shortly thereafter was offered a job at TSR. He spent the next couple of years surrounded by great artists and continued to hone his skills.
In 1997, Pollack went out on his own once again -- but this time with some experience and much needed skills under his belt. Since then he has worked for most of the RPG companies in the industry as well as Del-Rey, ROC, Tor Books, Baen Books, Upper Deck and Wizards of the Coast.
"Argonaut" book by Stanley Schmidt, 2001, Tor Books - My original idea for this cover was quite different and much more grim. It was not going to be a scene from the book but rather a possible vision of what could be: A woman being injected in the forehead by a giant bug-like alien creature . The art director and editor decided upon a scene from the book which was a little tamer. It turned out to be quite popular amongst my fans and is very different from anything I've ever done before.
©2001 Alan Pollack
"Alpha" book by Catherine Asaro, Baen Books - This one definitey has a more digital feel. In my newer digital pieces I am trying to be a bit looser and more painterly.
©2005 Alan Pollack
"Moonsinger" book by Andre Norton
©2006 Alan Pollack
http://www.alanpollack.com/
After graduating from high school, he studied at several colleges. At the School of Visual Arts in NYC, the illustration team of Martucci and Greisbach convinced Alan to dabble in oils. He was so inspired by his first attempts that he began developing a portfolio of fantasy illustration.
In his early 20's, while living with his parents, Alan worked part time as a silk screener and a photo retoucher while continuing to build his portfolio. In 1991, after much rejection from New York publishers, Alan Pollack was assigned his first cover illustration for Dungeon magazine with TSR.
In 1994, the work became steady and he left his part time job. Alan then found an agent in NYC, but shortly thereafter was offered a job at TSR. He spent the next couple of years surrounded by great artists and continued to hone his skills.
In 1997, Pollack went out on his own once again -- but this time with some experience and much needed skills under his belt. Since then he has worked for most of the RPG companies in the industry as well as Del-Rey, ROC, Tor Books, Baen Books, Upper Deck and Wizards of the Coast.
"Argonaut" book by Stanley Schmidt, 2001, Tor Books - My original idea for this cover was quite different and much more grim. It was not going to be a scene from the book but rather a possible vision of what could be: A woman being injected in the forehead by a giant bug-like alien creature . The art director and editor decided upon a scene from the book which was a little tamer. It turned out to be quite popular amongst my fans and is very different from anything I've ever done before.
©2001 Alan Pollack
"Alpha" book by Catherine Asaro, Baen Books - This one definitey has a more digital feel. In my newer digital pieces I am trying to be a bit looser and more painterly.
©2005 Alan Pollack
"Moonsinger" book by Andre Norton
©2006 Alan Pollack
http://www.alanpollack.com/
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