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The later period of Frank Bellamy's tenure on the Garth newspaper strip is often given less
regard than the earlier more detailed work but I find this work most exciting.
The style, bolder and streamlined to survive the poor quality of printing and paper, still contains
all of the strengths of the artists earlier work.
In the first strip (top right) the line work and creases maintain a superficial 'reality' but also
suggest movement as well as form-- while elegantly avoiding the cartoon extremes of other
artists. (Note also the dramatic perspective of the balloon tails.)
The explosive movement of the rockslide (right) is suggested with an absolute minimum of detail.
Less is certainly more.
The near silhouette ships racing across a featureless ocean. Minimalist and cleverly distorted to
suggest movement rather than clunky distracting detail.
To me, this seems like a similar evolution to that of Turner and we can only dream of how it might
have continued.
regard than the earlier more detailed work but I find this work most exciting.
The style, bolder and streamlined to survive the poor quality of printing and paper, still contains
all of the strengths of the artists earlier work.
In the first strip (top right) the line work and creases maintain a superficial 'reality' but also
suggest movement as well as form-- while elegantly avoiding the cartoon extremes of other
artists. (Note also the dramatic perspective of the balloon tails.)
The explosive movement of the rockslide (right) is suggested with an absolute minimum of detail.
Less is certainly more.
The near silhouette ships racing across a featureless ocean. Minimalist and cleverly distorted to
suggest movement rather than clunky distracting detail.
To me, this seems like a similar evolution to that of Turner and we can only dream of how it might
have continued.
This 'gunslinger' is another example of how (after having mastered form and colour) Frank Bellamy's focused on capturing movement and mood with absolute simplicity.
And as if more proof were needed-- The three page 'Swade' strip, that featured in 'Ally Sloper', is clearly an exercise in transferring a Sergio Leone gunfight into a stylish and dynamic comic form.
And as if more proof were needed-- The three page 'Swade' strip, that featured in 'Ally Sloper', is clearly an exercise in transferring a Sergio Leone gunfight into a stylish and dynamic comic form.