Difference between revisions of "Les Edwards"

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'''Les Edwards''' (born 1949) is a British illustrator known for his work in the horror, science fiction and fantasy genres, and has provided numerous illustrations for book jackets, posters, magazines, record covers and games during his career. In addition to working under his actual name, he also uses the pseudonym '''Edward Miller''' to paint in a different style and to overcome restrictions placed on him by his association with horror. He has won the British Fantasy Society award for Best Artist seven times, and was awarded the World Fantasy Award in 2008.
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==Eldar==
==Life and career==
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Edwards studied at [[Hornsey College of Art]] between 1968 and 1972, where he says he was "firmly advised that he would never be an illustrator"<ref name=OfficialBio>{{Cite web |title=The Art of Les Edwards - Biography |url=http://lesedwards.com/bio.php |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=13 September 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803190412/http://lesedwards.com/bio.php |archivedate=3 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> due to a general perception in the department that the job was too difficult,<ref name=Interview1>{{Cite web|title=Kane Interviews|url=http://www.shadow-writer.co.uk/edwardsinterview.htm |year=2008 |work=shadow-writer.co.uk |publisher= |accessdate=8 October 2009}}</ref> and later claiming that the experience failed to provide much of use in later years.<ref name=Interview2>{{Cite web|title=Fantasy Art - Les Edwards/Edward Miller |url=http://darkwolfsfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2009/01/fantasy-art-les-edwardsedward-miller.html |date=29 January 2009 |work=darkwolfsfantasyreviews.blogspot.com |publisher= |accessdate=8 October 2009}}</ref> After graduating, Edwards was taken on by the Young Artists agency in London, and began working as a freelance illustrator.<ref name=EncFant>{{Cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of Fantasy |last=Clute |first=John |authorlink= |author2=Grant, John  |year=1997 |publisher=Orbit |location=London |isbn=978-1-85723-368-1 |oclc= |page=311 |pages= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref>
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category = Les Edwards
 
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[[File:Les Edwards - Conan The Rebel.jpg|thumb|Edwards' ''Conan the Rebel'', later used as the cover of White Dwarf magazine issue 107.]]
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Over the course of his prolific career Edward's work has included advertising campaigns, graphic novels and film design, but he is perhaps best known for his book jacket illustrations spanning the horror, fantasy and science fiction genres.<ref name=OfficialBio/><ref name=Interview2/> Over the years he has provided many illustrations for genre titles, including numerous pieces for [[Robert E. Howard]]'s ''[[Conan the Barbarian|Conan]]'' stories<ref name=Blood&Iron>{{Cite book|title=Blood and Iron |last=Edwards |first=Les |authorlink=|year=1989 |publisher=GW Books |location=Brighton |isbn=978-1-85515-000-3 |page= |pages= |url= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Conan the Liberator |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=168 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126113031/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=168 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Conan the Victorious |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=169 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126110951/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=169 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Red Nails |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=50 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126121530/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=50 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and [[Terry Pratchett|Pratchett]]'s ''[[Discworld]]'' setting,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Demobilising Dorfi |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=645 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009132254/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=645 |archivedate=9 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mrs. Cake Suspects a Psychic Perturbation |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=563 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009052816/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=563 |archivedate=9 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ginger the Somnambulist |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=493 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009062126/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=493 |archivedate=9 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mr.Brookes' Patended Elf Remedy |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=32 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126122058/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=32 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hot Water |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=33 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126122134/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=33 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vimes and Crossant Rouge |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=34 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126121941/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=34 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and books by authors such as [[Anne McCaffrey]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=The White Dragon |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=601 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009081442/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=601 |archivedate=9 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragonsinger |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=602 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009080348/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=602 |archivedate=9 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragonheart |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=564 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107230131/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=564 |archivedate=7 November 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragon Harper |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=460 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107230100/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=460 |archivedate=7 November 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragonrider's Dawn |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=382 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107225927/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=382 |archivedate=7 November 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragonsfire |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=65 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107230517/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=65 |archivedate=7 November 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Skies of Pern |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=39 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107230038/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=39 |archivedate=7 November 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragon's Kin |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=15 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107225900/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=15 |archivedate=7 November 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragonsong |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=16 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107225905/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=16 |archivedate=7 November 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Frank Herbert]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Best of Frank Herbert 1965 - 1970 |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=164 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126113224/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=164 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Best of Frank Herbert 1952 - 1964 |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=3&pid=522 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010022712/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=3&pid=522 |archivedate=10 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Jack Vance]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ports of Call |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=3&pid=103 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010040428/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=3&pid=103 |archivedate=10 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lurulu |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=3&pid=113 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126125733/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=3&pid=113 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and many others.<ref name=OfficialGallery>{{Cite web |title=The Galleries |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/gallery.php |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=8 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127100420/http://www.lesedwards.com/gallery.php |archivedate=27 January 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
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Edwards is also known for his numerous covers for books in the [[Fighting Fantasy]] series, including ''Caverns of the Snow Witch'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Books Illustrated by Les Edwards |url=http://www.gamebooks.org/cgi-bin/search.cgi?Type=Illustrator&Text=Les+Edwards&Header=Books+Illustrated+by+Les+Edwards |work=gamebooks.org |publisher= |accessdate=8 October 2009}}</ref> ''Demons of the Deep'',<ref>{{Cite book|title=Demons of the Deep |last=Jackson |first=Steve |authorlink= |author2=Livingstone, Ian  |year=1986 |publisher=Puffin Books |location=
 
|isbn=978-0-14-031921-7 |oclc= |page= |pages= |url= }}</ref>  and ''Crypt of the Sorcerer'',<ref>{{Cite book|title=Crypt of the Sorcerer |last=Livingstone |first=Ian |authorlink= |year=1987 |publisher=Puffin Books |location= |isbn=978-0-14-032155-5 |oclc= |page= |pages= |url= }}</ref> and many of the more recent re-issues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caverns of the Snow Witch |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=6 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126120930/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=6 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Art of Les Edwards: Crypt of the Sorcerer (subpage) |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=2&pid=77 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906072252/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=2&pid=77 |archivedate=6 September 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=House of Hell |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=2&pid=85 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517092158/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=2&pid=85 |archivedate=17 May 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Creature of Havoc |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=2&pid=89 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722221912/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=2&pid=89 |archivedate=22 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
 
 
 
Many of Edward's paintings appeared as covers for Games Workshop's ''[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]'' magazine during the 1980s,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Edwards |first=Les |authorlink= |date=June–July 1980 |journal=White Dwarf |volume=1 |issue=19 |pages= |id= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Edwards |first=Les |authorlink= |date=November 1982 |title=The Lost Dorsai |journal=White Dwarf |volume=1 |issue=35 |pages= |id= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Edwards |first=Les |authorlink= |date=July 1984 |journal=White Dwarf |volume=1 |issue=55 |pages= |id= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Edwards |first=Les |authorlink= |date=June 1988 |title=White Line Fever |journal=White Dwarf |volume=1 |issue=102 |pages= |id= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Edwards |first=Les |authorlink= |date=November 1988 |title=Conan the Rebel |journal=White Dwarf |volume=1 |issue=107 |pages= |id= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Edwards |first=Les |authorlink= |date=October 1989 |title=Advanced Heroquest |journal=White Dwarf |volume=1 |issue=118 |pages= |id= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Edwards |first=Les |authorlink= |date=April 1990 |title=Dark Future Skirmish |journal=White Dwarf |volume=1 |issue=124 |pages= |id= |quote= }}</ref> and he was featured, along with other illustrators from Young Artists, in an ''Illuminations'' exposé in White Dwarf 105.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Blanche |first=John |authorlink= |date=September 1988 |title=Illuminations: Young Artists |journal=White Dwarf |volume=1 |issue=105 |pages= |id= |quote= }}</ref> He also provided the covers for the [[Warhammer Fantasy Battle]] and [[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]] supplements ''Power Behind the Throne''<ref>{{Cite book|title=Power Behind the Throne |last=Sargent |first=Carl |authorlink= |author2=Norton, Derrick |author3=Gallagher, Phil |author4= Davis, Graeme  |year=1988 |publisher=Games Workshop |location=Nottingham |isbn=1-869893-43-3 |oclc= |page= |pages= |url= }}</ref> and ''Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned'',<ref>{{Cite book|title=Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned |last=Priestley |first=Rick |authorlink= |author2=Ansell, Bryan  |year=1990 |publisher=Games Workshop |location=Nottingham |isbn=1-869893-52-2 |page= |pages= |url= }}</ref> and a series of illustrations for the [[Dark Future]] game.<ref name=Blood&Iron/> In 1989 Games Workshop published an anthology of Edward's work entitled ''Blood and Iron''.<ref name=Blood&Iron/> He has also provided several pieces of work for Milton Bradley's [[HeroQuest (board game)|HeroQuest]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heroquest |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=24 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126103746/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=24 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Heroquest - Keller's Keep |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=25 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126103617/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=25 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Heroquest - Heroquest - Legion of Heroes |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=26 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126103534/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=26 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Heroquest - Heroquest - Ogre Pack |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=27 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126103448/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=27 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Heroquest - Heroquest - Return of the Witch Lord |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=28 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126103251/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=28 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and covers for books for [[FASA]]'s [[Shadowrun]] and [[Earthdawn]] RPGs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parlainth |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=41 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126115853/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=41 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Age of Exploration |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=2 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126120521/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=1&pid=2 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rigger |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=3&pid=110 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126130224/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=3&pid=110 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Edwards has also provided illustrations for British science fiction periodicals ''[[Interzone (magazine)|Interzone]]'' and ''[[Postscripts]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Man Who Walked on the Moon |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=&pid=163 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=13 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722223207/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=&pid=163 |archivedate=22 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Harpy Christmas |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=&pid=453 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=13 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722223233/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=&pid=453 |archivedate=22 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Hearing Aid |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=&pid=458 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=13 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722223341/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=&pid=458 |archivedate=22 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Santa in Space |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=&pid=398 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=13 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722223350/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=&pid=398 |archivedate=22 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> as well as the now-defunct [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons|AD&D]] fantasy publication ''[[Imagine (AD&D magazine)|IMAGINE Magazine]]''.
 
 
 
Edwards has illustrated two graphic novels, both adapted by Steve Niles from short stories in [[Clive Barker]]'s ''[[Books of Blood]]''.<ref name=Interview2/><ref name=EncFant/> Having met at the World Fantasy Convention in London, Barker later recalled Edwards and recommended him to Eclipse Books for the first, ''Son of Celluloid''; after its success ''Rawhead Rex'' followed. Edwards also created the UK publicity posters for the films ''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Thing |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=99 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=8 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126104117/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=99 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> ''[[Graveyard Shift (1990 film)|Graveyard Shift]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graveyeard Shift |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=2&pid=455 |work=www.lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=8 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906072155/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=2&pid=455 |archivedate=6 September 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and ''[[Nightbreed]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nightbreed |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=2&pid=81 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=8 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906081236/http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=2&pid=81 |archivedate=6 September 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> the latter a commission he received as a result of Clive Barker's influence.<ref name=Interview1/>
 
 
 
Edwards has also provided a number of record covers during his career. A portion of one of his illustrations, originally created for ''The Devils of D-Day'' by [[Graham Masterton]] was also used as cover art for [[Metallica]]'s early single, "[[Jump in the Fire]]",<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Devils of D-Day |url=http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=177 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=13 September 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917220702/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=177 |archivedate=17 September 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> whilst his painting ''The Croglin Vampire'' appeared as the cover of the album "[[Alive and Screamin']] by Swiss band [[Krokus (band)|Krokus]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Croglin Vampire |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=90 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=13 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126103917/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=4&pid=90 |archivedate=26 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> More recently he produced the cover for the album ''[[Music for the Jilted Generation]]'' by [[The Prodigy]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Music for the Jilted Generation |url=http://www.lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=6&pid=145 |work=lesedwards.com |publisher= |accessdate=13 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010165741/http://lesedwards.com/showpic.php?id=6&pid=145 |archivedate=10 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
 
 
 
[[File:Les Edwards - 3rd Mayflower Book Of Black Magic.jpg|thumb|Illustration for ''The 3rd Mayflower Book of Black Magic'', also used as the cover for Games Workshop's ''Power Behind the Throne''. Unlike Edwards' usual work, this is executed in gouache.<ref name=Blood&Iron/>]]
 
 
 
In recent years, Edwards has also begun working under the pseudonym "Edward Miller", a move designed to allow him to pursue a more diverse range of commissions without any assumptions on the part of publishers based on his prior work, particularly any restrictive association with the horror genre.<ref name=OfficialBio/><ref name=Interview1/><ref name=Interview2/>
 
 
 
Edwards has won the [[British Fantasy Award]] for Best Artist seven times,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The British Fantasy Awards: a Short History |url=http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=129&Itemid=63 |work=britishfantasysociety.org |publisher= |accessdate=13 September 2009}}</ref> and has been nominated three times for a [[World Fantasy Award]] which he finally won, as Edward Miller, in 2008, as well as having acted as a judge for the awards in 2003,<ref>{{Cite web|title=World Fantasy Convention: Award Winners & Nominees |url=http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/awardslist.html |work=worldfantasy.org |publisher= |accessdate=13 September 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015020014/http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/awardslist.html |archivedate=15 October 2013 }}</ref> and was the artist Guest of Honour at the 1995 [[World Science Fiction Convention]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Long List of Worldcons |url=http://www.nesfa.org/data/LL/TheLongList.html |work=nesfa.org |publisher= |accessdate=13 September 2009}}</ref>
 
 
 
Edwards is now represented by his wife, Val Edwards, with whom he lives in Brighton, England. When not painting, his pastimes include model kit building, playing the guitar and fencing.<ref name=OfficialBio/>
 
 
 
==Style and technique==
 
Edwards often refers to his vintage horror work as his 'Red Period', a reference to the profusion of gore prevalent in horror illustration at the time, and to more recent work as his 'Blue Period'. Edwards is generally known for his emphasis on portrait elements,<ref name=Interview2/> whilst as Miller, on the other hand, he places a greater emphasis on landscapes, and what he views as a more 'romantic style'.<ref name=OfficialBio/><ref name=Interview1/><ref name=Interview2/>
 
 
 
Amongst Edwards' influences he cites the early influence of comic illustrator [[Frank Bellamy]], particularly the ''Heros the Spartan'' strip, as well as Eagle's [[Dan Dare]], and a later love for the work of illustrator [[Bruce Pennington]],<ref name=Interview1/> and describes a childhood attraction to anything 'strange or bizarre',<ref name=Interview1/> drawing from a very early age, inspired by comics and film.<ref name=Interview2/> His later exposure to macabre and violent elements in the work of more traditional artists, such as [[Goya]]'s ''Saturn Devouring His Son'', left an impression. Other major influences include [[William Blake]], [[John Singer Sargent]] and [[John Everett Millais]].<ref name=Blood&Iron/>
 
 
 
Although he has also occasionally used gouache, and more recently has often worked in acrylics, Edwards' original medium of choice is oil paint. This is used on any smooth board, ideally hardboard, which is primed with ''gesso''. Following from preliminary sketches, images are constructed on the support with a hard pencil before being developed using washes of a neutral coloured acryclic, usually brown, a technique Edwards says he borrowed from 'the old masters'. The oils are mixed with an alkyd medium called liquin, which thins the paint and speeds drying time.<ref name=Blood&Iron/> Edwards and Miller are also separated by distinctions of medium, with pieces under the Miller name more typically executed in acrylic paint on canvas panels as opposed to Edward's more usual use of oils on smooth board.<ref name=OfficialBio/><ref name=Interview1/><ref name=Interview2/> Recently Edwards has also begun working in the digital medium with programs like Painter, enjoying the freedom afforded with computers, although he continues to express a preference for traditional painting techniques.<ref name=Interview2/>
 
 
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
* [http://www.lesedwards.com/index.php The Art of Les Edwards official site]
+
 
* [http://www.edwardmiller.co.uk/ The Art of Edward Miller official site]
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*[http://www.lesedwards.com/index.php The Art of Les Edwards official site]
* [http://www.abandonart.co.uk/artists/biog_le.html Les Edwards, Master of the Macabre] at Abandonart
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*[http://www.edwardmiller.co.uk/ The Art of Edward Miller official site]
* [http://www.shadow-writer.co.uk/edwardsinterview.htm An interview with Edwards] on Paul Kane's Shadow Writer site
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*[http://www.abandonart.co.uk/artists/biog_le.html Les Edwards, Master of the Macabre] at Abandonart
* [http://darkwolfsfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2009/01/fantasy-art-les-edwardsedward-miller.html An Interview with Edwards] on Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews
+
*[http://www.shadow-writer.co.uk/edwardsinterview.htm An interview with Edwards] on Paul Kane's Shadow Writer site
* {{isfdb name|id=Les_Edwards}}
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*[http://darkwolfsfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2009/01/fantasy-art-les-edwardsedward-miller.html An Interview with Edwards] on Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews
* {{LCAuth|n94046316|Les Edwards|3|ue}}
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*{{isfdb name|id=Les_Edwards}}
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*{{LCAuth|n94046316|Les Edwards|3|ue}}
  
 
{{World Fantasy Award Best Artist}}
 
{{World Fantasy Award Best Artist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Les}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
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[[Category:Warhammer 40k]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Artists]]
[[Category:Asimov's Science Fiction people]]
 
[[Category:British speculative fiction artists]]
 
[[Category:English illustrators]]
 
[[Category:Fantasy artists]]
 
[[Category:Fighting Fantasy]]
 
[[Category:Games Workshop artists]]
 
[[Category:Horror artists]]
 
[[Category:Role-playing game artists]]
 
[[Category:Science fiction artists]]
 
[[Category:World Fantasy Award-winning artists]]
 

Latest revision as of 13:41, 31 January 2019

Les Edwards
Born1949 (age 74–75)
NationalityBritish
EducationHornsey College of Art
Known forIllustration
MovementFantasy, horror, science fiction
AwardsBritish Fantasy Award (best artist) 1991, 1994, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 · World Fantasy Award (artist) 2008
WebsiteThe Art of Les Edwards · The Art of Edward Miller


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