13 replies to this topic

[ollonois]

do you really think REH had something like that in mind when he wrote about Conan?




sure he would like it but I think he didn't have this in mind when creating Conan, I think something similar to the Gary Gianni illustrations for the Del Reys are closer to the vision of Conan in Howard's mind

Edited by Strom, 27 October 2012 - 02:03 AM.

[El Borak's Li'l Brother]

No. I don't think Frazetta's Conan was what he had in mind when creating Conan. Perhaps in physical look. But Howard based Conan with a deep knowledge of history. Therefore, no earrings and the like were involved. Why? 'Cause Howard says so in his descriptions.

[Munthasem]

We cannot know for sure of course, but it would be interesting to hear what he thought of depictions of Conan in weird tales magazines or somewhere else where he could see them. Would he like some of later depictions we could only guess but although we have his descriptions, each of us have his own modifications in mind.

[Lunatic]

This image is so awesome. If there ever will be produced a Conan Risk-game or something like that this is the one picture to put on the box.

Unable to answer your question of course, I wonder on the other hand, if R E Howard ever commented on the pictures on the Pulp magazine front covers?

Edited by Lunatic, 14 June 2012 - 07:20 PM.

[guilalah]

Well, we can only speculate on what REH would have thought of Frazetta. Maybe REH would be off-put if Frazetta deviated much from what he had in mind, but we shouldn't just assume this would be Howard's attitude. In music, some composers aren't very tolerant of diverse interpretations of their works, others don't mind, as long as the performer is making something good to hear. I hope REH would have valued Frazetta's paintings mainly on how effective they were on their own terms.

Edited by guilalah, 14 June 2012 - 11:00 PM.

[Kortoso]

I dunno. He said that Napoli's Conan had a Latin cast, but that it "wasn't enough to kick about". Frazetta's art is much more dynamic; I don't see Howard making a fuss about the armor and costumes.

[Konorg]

I think as to how Conan would have ben built we have to go back to the days your HIGH ADVENTURE! In short when Mr.Howard was a live and look at the physiques of the strong men/physical culturalists to see what would have been considered muscular back then,and what does physiques looked like to understand the infuences on him.

I for one contend that Mr.Howard would have had physique wise a physique like George Hackenschmidt had in mind.

[Lunatic]

So, R E Howard never commented then on the Weird tales, frontpage illustrations?

[ollonois]

here could be another debate, did the work of Frank Frazetta kill the image Howard created for Conan?

[monk]

here could be another debate, did the work of Frank Frazetta kill the image Howard created for Conan?

I think many would say yes, in some paintings definitely.

[Gin-Wulf]

here could be another debate, did the work of Frank Frazetta kill the image Howard created for Conan?

in many ways id say yes. the man was a great artist no doubt about that. but so many people reference his painting instead of REH when saying they want to go back to the original. it seems his take on a barbarian has crept its way into the minds of the masses over time as well.
edgard your photo shop work looks great. imo tho it looks to roman/ greek. it could be done with tunic and chain mail , or shirt and tunic with more of a medieval feel to it. even tho its not our " heavy religious " medieval time it was the high medieval age of Aquilonia and the other hyborian kingdoms.

[Lunatic]

here could be another debate, did the work of Frank Frazetta kill the image Howard created for Conan?

"(Nothing in this article is to be considered as an attempt to advance any theory in opposition to accepted history. It is simply a fictional background for a series of of fiction-stories." REH: The Hyborian age".

On the contrary I think it was an improvement from earlier weird tales illustrations. Probably it is quite difficult to draw something that have associations to both the ancient and medieval world, thus a fantasy world not aligned with real history. You can write like that, but I am not sure you could draw like that unless you invent stuff rather than pick and choose from real historical artifacts making a weird composite image.

Edited by Lunatic, 20 February 2013 - 02:02 PM.

[deuce]

do you really think REH had something like that in mind when he wrote about Conan?




sure he would like it but I think he didn't have this in mind when creating Conan, I think something similar to the Gary Gianni illustrations for the Del Reys are closer to the vision of Conan in Howard's mind

Quite possibly my favorite Fritz/Frazetta painting of "Conan". Incredibly dynamic. Frazetta was all-around better in this period than the late '60s.

I kinda doubt that REH would envision Conan fighting a bunch of naked guys in helmets.

[Lunatic]

here could be another debate, did the work of Frank Frazetta kill the image Howard created for Conan?

"(Nothing in this article is to be considered as an attempt to advance any theory in opposition to accepted history. It is simply a fictional background for a series of of fiction-stories." REH: The Hyborian age".

On the contrary I think it was an improvement from earlier weird tales illustrations. Probably it is quite difficult to draw something that have associations to both the ancient and medieval world, thus a fantasy world not aligned with real history. You can write like that, but I am not sure you could draw like that unless you invent stuff rather than pick and choose from real historical artifacts making a weird composite image.

One CAN draw or make depictions in a film close to the author's intensions. Thus, Peter Jackson's Rohirrim have obvious historical inspirations AND adhere to the spirit of Tolkien's work. As for drawing, check Frazetta's Deathdealer, possibly his best illustration. Clearly, he was able to draw figures without the typical loincloth-sandal/boot apparel.

Yes, Deathdealer is a good example on how these paintings did not kill the image but rather helped sell the books.