— Concept Fan Art —
Go on, admit it. From time to time we all have that one film, TV show, or actor we love to obsess over. And, if you're an artist, this usually comes in the guise of fan art. So, I make no apologies that the work on show here is pure indulgence for one particular actor (and some of his chums).
All resources used are either personal or DeviantArt/Stock imagery
— Dorian Gray —
Oscar Wilde
Inspiration for this piece comes from the 2009 version of the film featuring, Ben Barnes. And while to date, Tennant's never played Dorian Gray he does appear to have a portrait residing in his attic.
— Broadchurch —
Chris Chibnall
When a little known crime drama called Broadchurch, first aired in 2013, little did I know, the impact it would have on me and my artistic life. Written by Chris Chibnall (Doctor Who, Torchwood), Broadchurch, over three series, has not only given me hours of viewing pleasure but has also become a healthy obsession. Nicely, topped off in 2015 when my some of my fanart received 1minute, 12 seconds of fame after being shown, briefly, to my TV idols on the BBC's, Graham Norton Show. It may sound insignificant, but for me, it was a huge honour.
The Artwork
Fandom aside, the artwork for this debut cover is 100% conceptual. A blind creation that came about as a result of a brief fansite synopsis. The mere mention of a coastal location, (possibly Clevedon, Dorset, or both), some vague character plots and a few publicly released cast members.
However, as the drama proceeds, I start to notice some laughable similarities between my cover and the show. The most surprising of which comes in the first few episodes (spoiler alert). While out walking, SIO, DI Alec Hardy (Tennant), stumbles across a clifftop hut, set back from the cliff's edge. Hours later, SOCO is at the scene to help determine the scene of a crime. A plot point I couldn't have possibly have envisaged when I placed a solitary house on some cliffs in my background.
And it's these similarities that may explain why my cover started to pop up in Google searches and on several European websites. All seemingly believing that my artwork was the official release for the UK's DVD cover. I admit I was a little perturbed by the gesture. It's also a subtle reminder that, once you hit that upload button, no matter your copyright preferences, the artwork you create ceases to stay your own!
— Broadchurch 3 —
The Final Chapter
In February 2017, the third, and last, series of Broadchurch aired. Back then, I was bereft. But now I can appreciate why writer, Chris Chibnall decided to bring down the curtain on his successful TV hit. It's far better to end a popular TV show on a high instead of running on tirelessly for years until it finally falls out of favour with the public. As Chibnall once stressed, Broadchurch is a trilogy. It was never supposed to go on forever or turn into Midsomer Murders.
The Artwork
The year is 2016. The month is March. It is officially two months before the final series of Broadchurch is due to start filming. Fan theories are circulating. Tensions about the plot are rising, and every fan who 'ships Ellie and Hardy are on tenterhooks, all asking the same thing... will they, won't they? However, in true Chibnall style, he is giving little away. So what you see here is a personal indulgence, a design that illustrates my thinking, and some of the many plot theories I had for the final series of the show.
But don't ask me to spell them out. I may need to fall back on them when Chibnall, finally, realises the Tardis has run out of fuel and he needs to come back to that fictional town in Dorset.
____________________________________________________________
If you would like to see my take on BC3 after the show aired see here.
— The Escape Artist —
David Wolstencroft
Will Burton, is a talented junior barrister of peerless intellect and winning charm who specialises in spiriting people out of tight legal corners. High in demand he has never lost a case. But when his talents acquit the notorious prime suspect in a horrific murder trial, his brilliance comes back to bite him with unexpected and chilling results, not to mention a shocking twist in the tale - BBC.
The Escape Artist aired on the BBC in October 2013. However, when I took on this project, Tennant hadn't even been cast as the main lead. Nor did I have to hand any footage or visuals of Tennant playing a barrister in full costume. So pulling this off was a gamble. But I needn't have worried. A few days after release, I got a complimentary message on social media from the show's writer, David Wolstencroft, who saw my work and gave it his full approval.
Within days, the image started to circulate and, not surprisingly, ended up on a commercial shopping site. This time Sainsbury's! Once again it was mistaken for being the official UK DVD cover.
— The Lonely Angel —
The inspiration for this piece comes from Doctor Who. A reference, made by Reinette Poisson/Madame Du Pompadour by way of a letter, written on her death bed intended for the Tenth Doctor, in The Girl in The Fireplace. It's a touching scene, worthy of a few kleenex tissues.
My Dear Doctor, The path has never seemed so slow, and yet I fear I am nearing its end.
Reason tells me that you and I are unlikely to meet again, but I think I shall not listen to reason.
I have seen the world inside your head and know that all things are possible. Hurry though my love.
My days grow shorter now, and I am so very weak. God speed my lonely angel. — BBC
_____________________________________________________________________
Additionally, I found this humbling poem online.
— The Lonely Angel —
He fell from the sky and landed in ash
His beautiful wings, destroyed and turned black
He cannot fly now with his wings this way
At least, so they say, not during the day.
He flies now, at night, in fear of the sun
He blends into dark, always on the run
His wings always black, not only from ash
But from misery, anguish and all that he lacks
No family, no friends, no one of the sort
No one to talk to, no one to consort
He flies all alone, to no certain end
In search of love, or maybe a friend
His beautiful wings, destroyed and turned black
He cannot fly now with his wings this way
At least, so they say, not during the day.
He flies now, at night, in fear of the sun
He blends into dark, always on the run
His wings always black, not only from ash
But from misery, anguish and all that he lacks
No family, no friends, no one of the sort
No one to talk to, no one to consort
He flies all alone, to no certain end
In search of love, or maybe a friend
©Alyce Gardner 1982
Additional note: Since this project was first created, Tennant has now appeared as Crowley, in Good Omens (2019).
I'd just like to say, Mr Gaiman I found the Angel wings first!
I'd just like to say, Mr Gaiman I found the Angel wings first!
— The Forest Rogue —
I'm not aware Tennant has ever been considered, or auditioned for the role of Robin Hood.
I have seen him on horseback (Spies of Warsaw), but I also believe he's allergic to horse hair!
I have seen him on horseback (Spies of Warsaw), but I also believe he's allergic to horse hair!
— Fright Night - The Sequel —
There are two known official 'Fright Night' sequels in existence. The first, released in '88, written by Tom Holland, is Fright Night: Part 2. A direct result of the infamous cult classic released three years before. However, unlike its widely respected predecessor, the sequel only manages to pull in a meagre $2.9 million at the box office. It's also a film I can't recall being shown, on TV, in over thirty years!
Then, it gets complicated. Because in 2013, along comes another sequel written by Matt Venne, based on characters by Tom Holland called Fright Night: New Blood. Despite being a direct-to-video homage sequel to the 2011 remake, it features none of the existing 2011 cast. Its plot is, reportedly, based on both the original '85 Fright Night and the remake. (Are you keeping up here?) The most notable change is head vampire, Jerry Dandridge, Now played by a woman and renamed Gerri. Meanwhile, Peter Vincent continues life as a vampire-slaying fraudster, played by Sean Power.
Vincent's Curse
Unlike either of the above, my story is purely the stuff of fiction. Created for an idea, I had some years ago, for personal fanfic. I also created some 3D pieces to help, illustrate how I thought Vincent might look, including towards the end of his demise. Damn, a spoiler alert!
— Heathcliff - The Missing Years —
The Devil incarnate or a Misunderstood Man?
I don't read many of the classics. But I have read Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights at least three times over the last few decades. A late obsession with Brontë that came back into my life via another source. Yet in my teenage years, it was nothing more than a long and arduous read, which I begrudgingly had to study for English Lit.
It is impossible to summarise Wuthering Heights in a few brief sentences, for the sake of sanity, I will direct you to a site that can say it better than I. But if you love a dysfunctional, often macabre and jealous love story then I recommend giving it a go.
However, my intrigue is for the three years Heathcliff spent on the run, away from Wuthering Heights. It's a period Brontë chooses not to discuss in her novel, leaving readers to interpret Heathcliff's absence in whatever way they choose.
One author to challenge such a topic is Golden Eye writer, Jeffrey Caine, who penned a book simply titled Heathcliff. While it is not in the same league as Brontë's work, it is a decent novel and a credible account of what could have happened to the fleeing, irascible youth.
As for my cover, well, I have two casting desires, for Tennant. One is Dorian Gray (also illustrated on this page) and Heathcliff. Of which, I suspect, neither role is of interest to him. But, you never know. These are odd times we live in of late. Work is work!
One author to challenge such a topic is Golden Eye writer, Jeffrey Caine, who penned a book simply titled Heathcliff. While it is not in the same league as Brontë's work, it is a decent novel and a credible account of what could have happened to the fleeing, irascible youth.
As for my cover, well, I have two casting desires, for Tennant. One is Dorian Gray (also illustrated on this page) and Heathcliff. Of which, I suspect, neither role is of interest to him. But, you never know. These are odd times we live in of late. Work is work!
— Abandonment —
A personal project illustrating life after Rose Tyler for the Metacrisis/Human Doctor.
I've always wanted to believe that, one day, we may see the return of the Meta Crisis/Human Doctor to our TV screens. But, unlike most who want to imagine marital bliss between Rose Tyler and The Doctor's counterpart, my take on this would be much darker. Something along the lines of RTD's Years and Years. I want grief, betrayal, seduction and loss. I want people weeping like angels!
Because, I have a belief. That, the regeneration of the Tenth Doctor would seriously affect Meta's emotional and physical wellbeing. So much so it would impact on the young couple's relationship. So, in this conceptual piece, I took into consideration the following.
The ageing process of The Human Doctor
What life would be like for Rose and Meta in the parallel universe?
Would Rose be capable of loving the Meta in the same way she loved Ten?
Would the Meta experience the Tenth Doctor's pain, share his last thoughts and Ten's emotional turmoil as he fights regeneration?
— Miracle Day (Torchwood) —
When the American premium cable and satellite television network, Starz released a promo poster for Torchwood's - Miracle Day (2011), I confess, I was less than happy. So, with a brief synopsis to hand, I set about creating another version.
While it's been a fair few years since I last watched Miracle Day, I will say I enjoyed it. Perhaps more than I was expecting. And while I have no qualms with the BBC's original Torchwood team, at times, it often felt a bit exhausting, as they trawled through the entire team's backstories. Whereas with the US version, *Gwack felt more contained. Like The Doctor and his companion. It's, for this reason, I wouldn't have objected to another series with the US team at the helm. However, with the unlikelihood of resurrecting neither US/UK version, ardent fans are now encouraged to seek out some new audio dramas, via the Big Finish team.
*Gwack — A fan-ship name for Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Copper. It was the subject of some contention, for many years, on some social media sites, when it became clear that Jack and Ianto, Janto had a rival.
— Batman & Robin —
As seen by John Barrowman's sister Carole, and actor Daniele Favilli (Angelo Colasanto).
The poster was, intended to be a joke. Created after a comment, made by Favilli on social media. Which read something like 'Wouldn't it be good for Jack and Angelo (Torchwood) to have a spin-off series of their own? To which I replied, 'What? Like, Batman and Robin?' And, so this whole sorry affair started!
— The Phantom of The Opera —
It's a part Torchwood/Arrow actor John Barrowman has recorded music for but has never played on stage. However, John has personally seen this poster which met with his approval. Which was nice!
©2021 ifourdezign. All rights reserved.
