Described by Steven Spielberg as My favorite movie artist, Drew Struzan has created some of the most iconic movie poster images of the last 30 years, from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Star Wars: Episode III.
The Art of Drew Struzan ($34.95) is the first book to cover the acclaimed artists movie work in depth, with a Foreword by Frank Darabont. Featuring over 300 pieces of artwork, from black and white and color comprehensives (presenting concepts and ideas) to final poster art, accompanied by excerpts from an exclusive interview with the artist, the development of 40 projects is related and explained. With scores of previously unseen pieces, including unused final poster art for movies such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Hellboy II, this is a treat for movie buffs and artists alike.Indiana Jones. Back to the Future. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Star Wars: Episode II and III. If you have seen any of these movies, you know Drew Struzan. His name may not be in the credits, and you wouldn’t recognize his face on the street, but you know him anyway.
As Frank Darabont, a writer/director/producer writes in the foreword, “Movie posters suck these days. They’re going to suck even more tomorrow.” But it wasn’t always this way; there used to be actual artists employed by studios, who did actual art that was actually good. Their works became more than a cheap marketing ploy, they became gallery-worthy in their own right, and Drew Struzan is among the best. Struzan’s gorgeous movie posters have graced theater entryways and VHS and DVD covers for the last four decades, welcoming you to some of the best films produced by Hollywood. His spot-on portraiture brings a tactile realism and at-a-glance summation of the entire film to the viewer, managing to evoke all the familiar feelings that make a great film something more than just another slot in your collection as soon as you see it. The Art of Drew Struzan shows exactly how he did it, letting readers get a peek at the many “comps” (rough drafts) it took before a final product was revealed, including several never-before-seen comps, as well as the stories behind every image.
This recently published heavily illustrated art book weighs in at 160 oversized (9” x 12 1/4”) pages and can be ordered HERE.
