Late April 2007
Finally, after 8 months in the planning, my new book of Pin-Ups is coming from SQP Productions – www.sqpinc.com
It is titled: GIRLS FROM LINE TO COLOR, and it is subtitled THE INKS AND THE PENCILS BEHIND THE FANTASY PAINTINGS OF MICHAL DUTKIEWICZ. 48 pages of beautiful, eye-popping, Full-Colour pieces, interspersed with some works in their early-stage tonal or line art form, showing how I developed the digital colour stages. This project will have far more broad-based appeal than a How-To, with elements of an autobiography, some tutorial-style Information and some curious tips and insights into the thought processes and emotions that went into the pieces. But the project is going to look pretty unique. The production values will be very good – and excitingly, I have been given the great privilege of designing the book myself. I gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Bob Keegan and Sal Quartuccio with the cover design.
The book started as a dream – to present pin-up material in a way that wasn’t as cut-and-dried. Something that would have interest and relevance to a broader audience, be fun and somewhat insightful with reference to how, what and why I do what I do and to basically be a damned good coffee table browse. I plan for each book in the series to have a slightly different focus, and I will be releasing one a year if all goes well. The first volume should be out before the end of February in comic book stores and so forth, or you can order it online from SQP, or other good online book stores.
So why did I think this book was important? Over the years that I have been an artist/illustrator, I’ve dabbled in many areas, mediums and styles. I’ve used pencils, oil paints, gouache, collage, frottage, scraperboard, airbrush, cut-outs, computers, ink, brushes, pens, and so on. I’ve painted houses, stage scenery, built model sets for miniature photography, painted abstract and surrealist and optical art. I’ve been asked to do the widest range of commercial imagery – erotica, hardware catalogues, political and editorial cartoons, menu covers, business cards, labels and letterheads, calendars, displays of biological, historical and palaeontological visualizations for museums, health brochures and CD Roms, music and movie posters and film and TV concept work, childrens’ books, comic books and more recently – Pin-Up Girls. But by far the biggest revelations in my life, in terms of art techniques and materials, paradoxically, are light years apart in terms of techniques required for their mastery, their technologies and their applications. They are: Pencils and Computers!
From my first attempts, some seven years ago, to scan in and digitally color my images, I found I was perplexed and fascinated about how to exploit the rich and tantalizing possibilities of both media. I wanted not only to give both free rein, but also to try to blend the two, aesthetically if not seamlessly. Although this book is more personal than technical in emphasis, I sincerely hope that you will find it useful and enjoyable.
The book started as a dream – to present pin-up material in a way that wasn’t as cut-and-dried. Something that would have interest and relevance to a broader audience, be fun and somewhat insightful with reference to how, what and why I do what I do and to basically be a damned good coffee table browse. I plan for each book in the series to have a slightly different focus, and I will be releasing one a year if all goes well. The first volume should be out before the end of February in comic book stores and so forth, or you can order it online from www.sqpinc.com or other good online book stores.
Posted on March 3rd, 2007 #
News, Pinup Books
As of August 2006, my six year run of producing weekly Pin-Ups for Picture Magazine came to an end. I was very proud of that achievement, and I produced what I consider to be a fine body of work that is one of the highlights of my career. I received notification shortly after Kerry Packer died that they were replacing the Minxes with a photographic novelty page. I suspect the decision had something to do with the massive restructuring going on at ACP. But, the Minxes were fun while it lasted and I have a wealth of work to show for it. I will be releasing work continuing and completing that body of work over the next few years.
I have had an offer from a new publisher to produce a deluxe, slightly larger format book full of my favourite pinups. It will also feature some of my favourite B&W Pencil illustrations, printed with high production standards. Most of the work will be new, but some great pieces never aired to their maximum potential will also be included, along with some 2.0-style upgrades.
Posted on March 3rd, 2007 #
News, Pinup Books
2 new pages of images have been added to the Pin-up section. This batch is a bit lighter in tone than the first page. I try and vary the theme of every picture, so I’m always challenging myself to come up with fresh ideas. I prefer to avoid the notion of redoing the same idea or theme over and over again (although I do have some favourite Pin-Up characters such as Devilia who I like to visit quite regularly).
I have had some unfortunate news recently. MG Graphics who published my first book of Pin-Ups Girl Crazy‚ has folded. This came as quite a shock and is of great disappointment to me, as working with MG had been one of the highlights of my career. The quality of Girl Crazy‚ and the care and effort the people at MG put into the publishing of the book was such that I had nothing but admiration for the team. My heartfelt condolences to everyone involved.
What does this mean for those seeking to purchase copies of Girl Crazy‚ and other MG books featuring my work? Well I am told that copies are still available through SQP – www.sqpinc.com and other good book stores.
Look for my next update in a few weeks, which will include some of my Comic and Illustration work. Until then
ATB
M
Posted on October 9th, 2005 #
News, Pinup Books
