Looking for an idea for my next Prince Valiant Illo, I came across the last page that Hal Foster ever drew (Strip # 1788, May 16th 1971). In it, the last panel portrays Val and his two squires galloping away as they face the landscape before them, with the Pyrenne mountains and Hispania beyond them. This magnificent composition inspired me to create my own version in oils. I know that this may not be what my thesis requires, but the artistry of this piece and the significance of the illustration per se, compelled me to do it anyway. In the end, I came up with the illustration above. I did some changes of course, like portraying Val alone, or changing the composition from a square one to a rectangular space. I also added some evergreens in the distance as well as separate the planes with atmospheric perspective. In the end, I think I achieved an illustration that cements Prince Valiant's indomitable spirit of adventure. With his back to us, he is moving forward, towards the unknown.

Some additional detail plus shadow correction.

Progress on my "Prince Valiant buys a boat" Illo. Got to make Val stand out more as well as add some additional detail to the dock.

Color study I did on my sketchbook using Gouache and Watercolors. The paper in my sketchbook is rough and heavy, but it does not hold water very well. Painting on it was a nightmare of sorts. Still I got what I wanted from this study.

 

Light and shadow study I did on toned paper. About 11" x 14". The boat in the background attracts too much attention, so I am going to leave it out for the final composition.

This is my progress in oils on "Jane's Suspicion. Even though I made this painting last, it is meant to be number 2 in this illustration series ( it actually concludes with the last illo I posted here).

So this is my final version of my Tarzan meets Jane Illustration. I might come back later to add some more touch ups, but for the moment, I am quite happy with it.

A very quick (about 1hr) light and shadow study for my next Illo involving Tarzan and Jane. This is meant to be presented before the previous Illustration ( a prequel to that narrative). In it, as Jane explores the jungle, she can't help but feel like she is being watched by someone.