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Commissions Closed.
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“As an artist in his own right, Dean brought great creative flair to my book cover design project. He put a lot of energy into implementing the brief in just the way I wanted. It involved some complex ideas, and Dean worked through them all in meticulous detail to produce an outstanding result. He clearly loves his work and his many skills ideally fit with cover designing. I would heartily recommend him.” Roger Keen
"Kudos to Elastic Press for another well-edited collection and to artist Dean Harkness for an interesting original cover that lets readers pick out specific story references in the shadow boxes." Dru Pagliassotti - The Harrow "and let's take a moment to praise Dean Harkness's gorgeous cover." David Hebblethwaite Reviews "However, the icing on the cake was seeing Dean Harkness's representation of the final scene accompanying the story. I had no idea it was going to be illustrated and can’t tell you how perfect Dean’s interpretation is." Darren J Guest. edit. |
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Portraits of people or animals, or even places really are the perfect gift. They show that real thought has gone in to the gift, and they are something that clearly display how important the subject of the work is. And they last! Unlike most presents a portrait is a timeless gift that can be passed down through the generations.
I have had a fascination with art and illustration since childhood. I was a late learner when it came to reading so was always drawn to the pictures in books and saw lots of illustrated stories from Shakespeare to Kipling. Later, in my mid to late teens I discovered the fantasy and realism artists such as Boris Vellejo, Frank Frazetta, The Hilderbrandt Brothers and many many more. In my late teens and early twenties I became more interested in art's history and develpment and some of the big names of the day such as Lucian Freud, Frank Auerback, Francis Bacon and several others.
I have always had a passion for the Pre-Raphaelites, but also for all of their predecessors, and many of those that came after. I think the 20th century lost its way a bit, but the pendulum has swung the other way with a vengeance and the quality of art being produced in the world today is staggering.
I love constantly learning new techniques and improving on the old ones, and combining the two... it is an endless process and one that fascinates me. I am still finding new media to work in and new implements and tools that improve on what has been available until now - technology and commerce never stops! But sometimes all you need is a stick of charcoal, a piece of tissue and a sheet of paper... and a thousand happy accidents.
I have had a fascination with art and illustration since childhood. I was a late learner when it came to reading so was always drawn to the pictures in books and saw lots of illustrated stories from Shakespeare to Kipling. Later, in my mid to late teens I discovered the fantasy and realism artists such as Boris Vellejo, Frank Frazetta, The Hilderbrandt Brothers and many many more. In my late teens and early twenties I became more interested in art's history and develpment and some of the big names of the day such as Lucian Freud, Frank Auerback, Francis Bacon and several others.
I have always had a passion for the Pre-Raphaelites, but also for all of their predecessors, and many of those that came after. I think the 20th century lost its way a bit, but the pendulum has swung the other way with a vengeance and the quality of art being produced in the world today is staggering.
I love constantly learning new techniques and improving on the old ones, and combining the two... it is an endless process and one that fascinates me. I am still finding new media to work in and new implements and tools that improve on what has been available until now - technology and commerce never stops! But sometimes all you need is a stick of charcoal, a piece of tissue and a sheet of paper... and a thousand happy accidents.