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When one looks in the box, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the cat.

Reactor

Books Art & Illustration

Painting Stubby the Rocket in Space

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Published on August 8, 2012

Stubby the Rocket in space by Gregory Manchess
Stubby the Rocket in space by Gregory Manchess

For their 4th birthday this year, Tor.com commissioned a new illustration based on their logo (affectionately called Stubby the Rocket). I designed the rocket with Irene Gallo four years ago. Every year in honor of Tor.com’s birthday, which just happens to be NASA’s moon-landing day, July 20th, a new story about Stubby’s adventures will be released. The first one was recently published, “A Tall Tail,” by Charles Stross.

Contrary to some of the other illustration struggles I’ve shown here, this painting went smooth and quick. I did one thumbnail to show Irene, and that was it. I did have rings around a Saturn-like planet, but on Irene’s request, I painted them out. It was a good call. A very subtle change, but without the ring tangency, it’s a stronger piece.

Stubby the Rocket in space by Gregory Manchess
Click to enlarge

Below is a time lapse of me painting the little guy, flying through space. Throw in some planets, a nice background nebula, light everything with an offstage star-glow, sprinkle stars over it all, and Stubby came to life.

It’s not exactly….ahem….rocket science.

This post originally appeared on Muddy Colors. Go there for larger images.


Gregory Manchess is an artist and writer working in New York and Portland.

About the Author

About Author Mobile

Gregory Manchess

Author

At the heart of Gregory Manchess' work lies a moment that communicates emotionally with the viewer. A native of Kentucky, he earned a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design in 1977, but is largely self-taught in drawing and painting. He spent two years as a studio illustrator with Hellman Design Associates before striking out on his own in 1979.
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