Wednesday 26 May 2010

JOHN M BURNS MASTER CRAFTSMAN OF COMIC STRIP ILLUSTRATION










For a terrific interview with John M Burns buy

TRUE BRIT
A CELEBRATION OF THE GREAT COMIC BOOK ARTISTS OF THE U.K
by TwoMorrow Publishing ISBN 1-893905-33-0 first published in 2004

John M Burns is a master craftsman who has inspired loads of artists and me in his long career as a strip illustrator ,his work has appeared in newspapers, comics, annuals, graphic novels

i have loved his work since i was a child when i first saw his work in a comic called Countdown in the early 1970's

his bold use of colour with his unmatched dynamic and beautiful figure drawing mixed with his creative flow of layouts and lighting hooked and thrilled me.

John works using inks and paint to great effect as these samples of his work show

Here is a selection of the brilliance of his work

ALL ART BY JOHN M BURNS
TRUE BRIT COVER BY BRIAN BOLLAND

5 comments:

  1. Some lovely examples there John. I was a reasonably regular reader of Look-In magazine and remember his great b/w work on strips like HOW THE WEST WAS WON and THE SMUGGLER. Back then I'd sometimes confuse him with Martin Asbury ( another big favourite) - they both had such a terrific grasp on action oriented reality with a sharp design sense. There aren't enough artists influenced by these guys these days - a shame.

    cheers

    ade

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  2. John M Burns draw fantastic black and white strips of Jane for The Daily Mirror funny enough John M Burns tried out for Garth in the Mirror but the strip went to Martin Asbury as you say another great artist from the wonderful Look-In magazine

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  3. Some beautiful Burns work you've put up, Jon; I am a HUGE fan of the man, have been since I was a sproglet...I love his work on The Seekers strip and his short run on Modesty Blaise. Burns' linework has always inspired me.

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  5. i've not ever seen any bad work by John thats why i call him a master craftsman he can draw anything and make it look great.
    hands and horses are really hard to draw but John just makes it look so easy.

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