#001 - Philip Sibbering, QUESTIONS THREAD

This topic is the place to ask your questions for Philip Sibbering. I'll keep this topic open for a week and then close it before submitting the questions to Philip.

You can read about Philip on his website here. It also includes his covers for the Black Library here.

Hi Philip,

are you planning to expand your concepts for the Eldar and Tau as presented on your website? Visually they are very intriguing.

Re-posted from the News forum:

You've spent a lot of time pondering the logical and scientific underpinnings of the 40kverse (as seen on Phil's great homepage). Do you need to do this to inform your work, or is it just idle fanboi speculation?

R.

*What do you feel is essential when it comes to interpreting something that has a long-lasting impression on a market, yet staying true both to your own vision as well as that of the Art Director (For instance- Making covers for some Black Library publications, obviously you had to interpret the allready existing artwork, making sure your own "style" came through as well as abiding to the wishes of the Art Director- what is the most important to think of in such cases, in your mind).

*How do you plot out your paintings? Do you, like some, sketch it up (paper or digitally)? Or do your plot it all out in paches of "blobs" of colours or values? Or do you, like for instance Paul Bonner, sketch parts of it and then fit it all on the canvas as you paint?

-> What draws you to the Warhammer 40,000 universe?

-> As an artist, which 40k races appeal to you the most? Which are the most fun to draw?

-> How did you feel when you were given the cover of False Gods? Given that the Heresy is such a pivotal time in the 40k universe and that the book was going to be hugely important?

-> How are your covers constructed? Some of your figures, for example those on the cover of Warrior Coven appear almost to have been created in a 3D modelling programme. Is that actually the case?

Some of your work is agree-ably powerful. A lot of your literature covers are always present with a lead character, one whose power and prowess always jumps out at you.

How do you create the feeling of presence in your work?
What techniques and advice do you have for creating such realistic facial expressions?
Was it a lot of practice and observations of human behaviour that allowed you to capture the human condition, or was it your own experiences?

Seems to have gone a bit quite around here - any more questions?

Who is your favourite Old Master?

Who is your favourite modern artist not working in the field of fantasy or science fiction?

Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

In the field of science fiction and fantasy art, which one artist's technique would you recommend emulating?

Happy now?

R.

As already noted above, you have spent a great deal of time pondering the logical and scientific underpinnings behind the art of 40k. What is your favourite part of the imagery? Conversely, what is your least favourite part?

Which nicely leads me to my last point, which is if you could change (redesign) any element, what would it be?

Do you read novels before you do the cover art for them?

By 'modern artist' do you mean one that produces 'modern art' (past and present) or someone who is contemporary?

Philip

Should I answer these question here?

Philip

I'd be happy to read it!

Yes please!