John Blanche - Artwork, Influence and Recollections
(Note that my camera just couldn't capture the delicacy, vibrancy and overall tone of this picture)
The picture above is an untitled work by John Blanche from 1978. As far as I can ascertain it is unpublished although there is always a chance someone will prove me wrong. I refer to it as 'girl on a planet' for obvious reasons. An alien girl in diaphanous clothing appears to be standing on a small planetoid which is then superimposed over another much larger planet. The surface of the latter planet is completely covered by miniscule buildings and activity with small spaceships and other things exploding into the air above the planet. It is very much a sci-fi illustration that would have seemed ideal for a paperback cover in the late 1970's, by one of the then popular Science Fiction writers.
It is fairly typical of the sort of work John Blanche was creating at this point in time. To quote the man himself from the 'Ratspike' book ........
'I'd also discovered the technical drawing pen and teamed its use with my normal water-colour painting techniques. Minute detail was possible with the pen, and washes of colour gave the painting life and form.'
These techniques stayed with him until the early 80's by which time his work started to develop in a different direction.
The picture is approximately 12" by 9" and is filled with so much detail that you can examine it closely for hours and still spot a new item of interest. I cannot imagine how long it took to complete but it must have been considerable length of time.
Whilst this piece is, as far as I can ascertain, unpublished, there is a published piece from the same period which is very similar. This is the untitled illustration on the cover of White Dwarf eleven. As you can see, it has a lot of the same design elements in it. From the miniature world exploding with activity, to the alien female in a diaphanous body suit. I would guess these illustrations were done at about the same time. It is common for artists to do multiple illustrations exploring the same set of ideas and design elements, until they find what they want. The illustration on the cover of White Dwarf, is in my view a more successful piece, but that doesn't detract from my own enjoyment of 'girl on a planet'!
I suspect that the demands of producing commercial art, was a factor in his abandonment of this painstakingly detailed style of work.
I recall reading somewhere that John Blanche had a similar influence on the work of the great Ian Miller. Ian millers style was famously extremely tight and detailed but whilst working with John Blanche at Games Workshop, he said that John suggested a looser, quicker style of working, more suitable to the demands of commercial work. You can indeed see a change in his work whilst at Games Workshop, particularly in some of the large illustrations in the first Rogue Trader WH40k, book. The illustration for 'the battle at the farm' from said book is a good example of Ian Millers looser wash techniques.
What do i like about this picture by John Blanche? Well as a child, I loved to draw scenes covered in fighting men and machines, until every inch was filled with action and explosions . I have also always loved the mediaeval artists paintings of battles, where just about every combatant seems to have been squeezed in! This painting immediately evoked both of these in my mind and combined with the alien figure, which is beautifully drawn and coloured, made it an easy decision to buy the art a few years ago when the opportunity arose.
Is this the best of John Blanches output? No. Its an early piece by an artist still developing and I can find some fault with the overall design and perspective. Overall however, I love it and am very proud to have it hanging on my wall as a fine early example of one of the great fantasy illustrators.
Influence
John Blanches work on miniatures is almost more powerful for me personally than his illustrations and paintings. His work with pen and inks on fantasy figures in the late 1970s and early 1980's was both original and revolutionary. His later 'grim dark' work with heavy washes and other techniques has been even more influential. The early intricacy I found difficult to mimic successfully, mainly because I did not have the necessary skill levels ! The later grim dark style has however successfully changed the way I approach painting to this day.
I didn't have the pleasure of knowing John Blanche as a person, although I spoke to him briefly over the years at various Games Workshop events. Back in 1988, however I was invited up to the studio in Nottingham by Phil Lewis. I had been a successful Golden Demon entrant that year and was asked to take my models to the studio for photography. Phil Lewis took me for lunch in a local pub and who should join us at the table but John Blanche. I suppose I must have engaged in conversation with him but I'll be blessed if I can remember a word of those conversations. Still, I can say I had lunch with John Blanche, even if I can't remember anything about it!
John Blanche, artist and inspiration to many, may he rest in peace.
