Mike Noble is an acclaimed artist and illustrator.
His most famous work was on Fireball XL5 for the iconic Sixties TV21 comic.
He also did one single black and white drawing of the Zero X for the Project SWORD stories.
However, Mike illustrated in many other publications too. In 1987 he was commissioned by BHS London to illustrate their Explorer 12 toy series, specifically four books and a promotional brochure.
Recently I had the distinct pleasure of corresponding with Mike about this and Mike has kindly given his permission to relay his thoughts to MC readers.
Dear Woodsy
I am surprised that anyone has picked up on my artwork as I don't think I signed any of it. Recently I learned that it appears on Wikipedia.
Alan Fennell I believe asked me to do some artwork for one or two of the publications BHS were bringing out.
Your sketch of Explorer 12 you sent me reminds me of that series, with a number of different types of vehicle withing a fictitious rugged landscape.
All quite interesting to do and scope for one's imagination. For reference I was provided with photographs of the actual toys.
There was an aquatic series of vehicles I recall doing as well as well ...
and some polar explorer ones too!
It is such a long tome ago now that any preliminary sketches or tracings that I might have done for the illustrations have long since gone.
It was quite recently that I was having a clear out of magazines I had accumulated over the years and came across the very BHS publications you are referring to. Needless to say I threw them out!
One is never aware that there is anything other than a mere fleeting interest by readers of these past magazines.
Thank you for your kind comments about my previous work,
Very best wishes,
Mike Noble.
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BHS book pictures: Joe Lange
such a distinctive and beautiful style
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore his TV21 work, it was such a part of the Anderson world for me.
ReplyDeleteI agree guys, mike's work is tremendous.
DeleteMany many thanks for this feature guys - although it's frustrating to hear that Mike ditched his copies of the magazines because I'n still trying to locate a copy of the "space adventure" as part of my ongoing quest to collect every piece of Mike's artwork and this is the first time I've heard of anyone who even had a copy. Wonder where Mike's local recycling depot is? It's all the more galling because I knew Mike kept much of his published work but for some stoopid reason it never occurred to me to ask him. Don't suppose anyone else has a copy out there because I'd really like to complete my collection before I snuff it lol!
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