Welcome to the Kull Brothers artist spotlight
Art is all about bringing people together. Here, with the artist spotlight, we aim to bring attention to artists of all kinds, big, small, contemporary or long dead. In addition to iconic artist’s of the past, we’ll be showcasing the diverse set of creatives in our ever growing community. We hope you’re inspired by their work and/or feel inclined to support them.
Artist Spotlight 9/10
Virgil Finlay
Virgil Finlay, born 1914, was one of the most prolific and recognizable pulp artists of the early 20th century. Over his 35 year long career, Finlay produced upwards of 2,600 pieces, most of which were published in fantasy, science fiction, and horror magazines. These magazines, in many ways, were predecessors of the modern day comicbook. They featured several genre fiction prose stories, each accompanied by one, sometimes several illustrations. The tropes established within these pulp stories inspired many early comicbook stories. Early comics art was comparatively crude, due in large part to financial and time restrictions. It wouldn’t be until much later that we would see comic art that could even approach the pen and ink splendor of a Virgil Finlay illustration.
Finlay was a master of black and white. Throughout his career, he would experiment with halftone tools like gouache and oils, but he was most recognizable for his striking pen and ink work, which showcased a plethora of techniques from stippling to crosshatching. Finlay would also freqently use scratchboard to make the most out of negative space. No matter what technique he used though, the result was always staggering.
His technical skill rivaled that of classically trained renaissance painters, with photoreal anatomy, lighting, and perspective. He also had an impeccable design sense. Less skilled artists could easily lose composition and balance with the enormity and complexity of the linework. Finlay’s work was always legible, with sharp contrasts and clear focal points.
With the sheer volume of work he produced, Finlay’s range and variety is unparalleled. He could capture the cosmos just as well as he could transport you to ancient times and foreign lands.
Occasionally, Finlay would break away from classical techniques and conventions and lean all the way into design. These are some of my favorite pieces, each of them unique and graphic, often times mesmerizing.
These are just some of my favorites that I have found. I feel like I see a new piece of his every time I look. Feel free to look for yourself, this guy’s portfolio is seriously endless - DK