So I thought I would share this story with you.
In the early days of Art Portfolio project, we were missing a lot of original illustrations. David suspected that they were lost or destroyed over the years as he had not seen them in a long time.
When I would go over there to visit or meet about the portfolio, I couldn't help but notice that there was a large stack of paintings and framed artwork on the floor leaning up against the wall. Every now and then, I would ask David if perhaps the other originals were buried in there somewhere. He would usually respond by saying he doubted it, then we would move onto other topics.
Sometimes I would offer to go through them for him, so we would walk over to the stack of paintings, and when we saw how many there were and the effort it would take to wade through them, it just seemed too arduous so we would sit back down and continue our discussion.
Then one day, I was over there and David was in another room looking for something I needed for the launch video. I was sitting at the dining room table and the paintings were on my right. Without putting much thought into it, I stood up and walked over to the stack. I started to flip through them, moving one painting at a time against my right leg so that I could get a look at what was under each one.
I kept going until I was close to the back, with the last few leaning against the wall. My legs were aching, my back was starting to protest because of the odd way I had to position myself in order to work my way through the artwork.
Then just as I was almost at the end, I came across a heavy cardstock sheet covered with grey paper. I recognized that paper from one of the originals I had seen before and I knew this was it. I grabbed the sheet, lifted up the paper covering, and there in front of me was an original illustration from the book.
It was about this time that David came back into the room and saw what I was up to. "You won't believe what I just found", I said. He was amazed. And I kept going. Right behind that one was another one! And behind that was yet another.
That day I discovered eleven original illustrations. It all felt very dream-like. The highlight of this discovery was that one of the most iconic illustrations from the book, the title page illustration, was among them.
It is a good thing these were discovered, because who can tell where they might have ultimately ended up. They will now be well cared for.
Enjoy!
Spoiler: 03-22-2017 03:03 PMwolfehrThanks for sharing Paul! That's quite the story!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 03-22-2017 03:08 PMTommyOutstanding! :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::c lap: 03-22-2017 03:09 PMBrian861Those are really cool! 03-22-2017 03:57 PMBr!anVery cool! Good job in finding them! 03-22-2017 04:39 PMfiremonkey66Very cool, Paul. I always loved the illustration of the spider being crushed. Awesome to see the original. 03-22-2017 04:50 PMstroppygoblinPaul, does this mean the illustrations in the portfolio are directly reproduced from these originals? 03-22-2017 05:49 PMwebstar1000Wow. That's so cool!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 03-22-2017 05:52 PMzeligThanks for the comments everyone.
Simon, yes that is correct. There are several stages these illustrations will go through when reproducing them. We create an archive scan of the image using a high-end drum scanner at a very high resolution. This produces a massive file and if you zoomed in, you could see down to the fibers of the paper.
Then the artwork is digitally restored by a professional art restorer. This involves cleaning up smudges, spots, dirt or any imperfections. It is zoomed in on a large display, and the entire surface of the image is inspected and restored where necessary. We also make certain adjustments to the midtones to get the best possible balance between the whites and shades of grey in the black & white illustrations. It's all very interesting, and I have some clips of these stages which I may put into a video.
All that, together with the larger print size and the new technologies at our disposal, will result in a reproduction that will be the best we have seen of this artwork. 03-22-2017 06:04 PMRandall FlaggI wish I was better with words. Fucking amazing!
Although each of your projects are expensive, it's easy to see why they are well worth every penny. You have elevated SK books and art to a new, unparalleled level. 03-22-2017 07:00 PMzeligThanks Jerome. Appreciate the compliments. :smile: 03-22-2017 07:22 PMperipheralThat is an incredible story, Paul. Congratulations. (Or in the immortal words of our fearless leader... "Fucking Amazing!)
The commitment of the members on the site to the appreciation and collecting of King (and books and art generally) is nothing short of phenomenal. 03-22-2017 08:07 PMtippy4Great story.
I can only imagine how awesome it must have felt when you found that "buried treasure".
Rick 03-23-2017 02:40 AMburialawesome story!
this portfolio looks amazing 03-23-2017 03:18 AMwebstar1000 03-23-2017 05:28 AMHONKYTONKSMASH 03-23-2017 01:20 PMzelig 03-23-2017 02:19 PMur2ndbiggestfanWhat impressed me the most was that fabulous green ceramic elephant. 03-23-2017 02:39 PMBr!an 03-23-2017 03:11 PMzeligFinally someone commented on the elephant!
I remember it being Jade when I got it. It was one of several crystals I had bought one time when the place was Feng Shui'd. I like that elephant a lot. 03-23-2017 03:42 PMur2ndbiggestfanDamn, ceramic is so much rarer and valuable. 03-23-2017 03:51 PMBr!anI really think it's Malachite. Of course its known as Jade Malachite.
Jade elephants: https://www.google.com/search=jade+elephant
Malachite elephants: https://www.google.com/search=malachite+elephant
It's still very nice! 03-23-2017 03:57 PMBr!an 03-23-2017 03:58 PMzeligBased on those pictures it's definitely Jade Malachite. It doesn't look anything like the ones in that first link. You were right the first time. I should learn never to question your brilliance! 03-23-2017 04:00 PMBr!an