Michael Whelan
@michaelwhelan.bsky.social
Fine artist of Imaginative Realism. Retired illustrator of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Winner of 15 Hugo Awards. Inducted into the SF Hall of Fame in 2009.
Oh no, all acrylic.
November 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Oh no, all acrylic.
...I could show them the earlier version LORD PROTECTOR and say that “it was the publisher’s fault.”
To this day, nobody has ever remarked on the change! 3/3
www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/dr...
To this day, nobody has ever remarked on the change! 3/3
www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/dr...
November 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
...I could show them the earlier version LORD PROTECTOR and say that “it was the publisher’s fault.”
To this day, nobody has ever remarked on the change! 3/3
www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/dr...
To this day, nobody has ever remarked on the change! 3/3
www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/dr...
I corrected the wings to match the earlier ones in the full-scale painting I submitted to DAW Books, but they liked the sketch better. I then did an entirely new painting with the wings designed the same as in the sketch, figuring that if the fans commented on the differences in the wings... 2/3
November 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I corrected the wings to match the earlier ones in the full-scale painting I submitted to DAW Books, but they liked the sketch better. I then did an entirely new painting with the wings designed the same as in the sketch, figuring that if the fans commented on the differences in the wings... 2/3
Not at all. Thanks for your reply.
November 10, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Not at all. Thanks for your reply.
The painting had to be done in a hurry, though after all these years I don’t recall why. Maybe some other artist was originally slated to do the assignment but muffed it? I don’t know... 1/6
I haven't read any of the Elric novels, so the answer might lie in them but: This Elric looks considerably more muscular than your other renderings of him. Is there a specific reason for this?
I am curious if it is a reflection of the stories, or an artistic choice on your part.
I am curious if it is a reflection of the stories, or an artistic choice on your part.
November 9, 2025 at 12:03 AM
When I received subsequent assignments for the following books in the series I realized my error and tried to achieve more accuracy in my depiction of Elric.
I kinda wince at that first cover, but chalk it up to youthful ignorance. If I had a Time Machine… 😉 6/6
I kinda wince at that first cover, but chalk it up to youthful ignorance. If I had a Time Machine… 😉 6/6
November 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
When I received subsequent assignments for the following books in the series I realized my error and tried to achieve more accuracy in my depiction of Elric.
I kinda wince at that first cover, but chalk it up to youthful ignorance. If I had a Time Machine… 😉 6/6
I kinda wince at that first cover, but chalk it up to youthful ignorance. If I had a Time Machine… 😉 6/6
In retrospect, I think I defaulted to an “Arnold" approach to the figure out of sheer habit, not taking the time to judge whether it was appropriate or not. 5/6
November 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
In retrospect, I think I defaulted to an “Arnold" approach to the figure out of sheer habit, not taking the time to judge whether it was appropriate or not. 5/6
In all honesty I can’t really defend the treatment of the figure in this painting. Even if pressed for time on the commission, it’s no excuse for having missed the essential concept of the character. 4/6
November 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
In all honesty I can’t really defend the treatment of the figure in this painting. Even if pressed for time on the commission, it’s no excuse for having missed the essential concept of the character. 4/6
If I’d known these things, I certainly would have been more mindful with my portrayal of a character that would be a feature of my career for the rest of my life! 3/6
November 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
If I’d known these things, I certainly would have been more mindful with my portrayal of a character that would be a feature of my career for the rest of my life! 3/6
When I got the assignment, I had no idea who this “Elric” was. I read the manuscript quick as I could and got right to work on it.
No one told me that it was the first novel of a series, or that devoted fans would needle me about the muscular Frazetta-esque handling I gave Moorcock’s hero. 2/6
No one told me that it was the first novel of a series, or that devoted fans would needle me about the muscular Frazetta-esque handling I gave Moorcock’s hero. 2/6
November 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
When I got the assignment, I had no idea who this “Elric” was. I read the manuscript quick as I could and got right to work on it.
No one told me that it was the first novel of a series, or that devoted fans would needle me about the muscular Frazetta-esque handling I gave Moorcock’s hero. 2/6
No one told me that it was the first novel of a series, or that devoted fans would needle me about the muscular Frazetta-esque handling I gave Moorcock’s hero. 2/6
November 8, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The story takes place in the High Hallack cycle, which was named after the western continent of Witch World. That was also the name given to the genre research and reference library that Norton founded in Monterey, Tennessee. 2/3
www.andre-norton.com/contents/hig...
www.andre-norton.com/contents/hig...
November 8, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The story takes place in the High Hallack cycle, which was named after the western continent of Witch World. That was also the name given to the genre research and reference library that Norton founded in Monterey, Tennessee. 2/3
www.andre-norton.com/contents/hig...
www.andre-norton.com/contents/hig...
Wearing his iconic dragon helm, raising Stormbringer defiantly, the last emperor of Melniboné stands at the forefront of Chaos as represented by a legion of demons.
Cover illustration for ELRIC OF MELNIBONÉ by Michael Moorcock (DAW) 2/2
www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/el...
Cover illustration for ELRIC OF MELNIBONÉ by Michael Moorcock (DAW) 2/2
www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/el...
November 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Wearing his iconic dragon helm, raising Stormbringer defiantly, the last emperor of Melniboné stands at the forefront of Chaos as represented by a legion of demons.
Cover illustration for ELRIC OF MELNIBONÉ by Michael Moorcock (DAW) 2/2
www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/el...
Cover illustration for ELRIC OF MELNIBONÉ by Michael Moorcock (DAW) 2/2
www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/el...