The Siege paperback cover 1994

John Berkey made this paperback cover for ‘The Siege’ and it’s all about the drama of process. He's laid down these broad brushstrokes of blues and oranges, really raw and immediate. The painting has this incredible energy because you can see how it was built up. Check out the texture of the paint, thick in some spots, almost like he was sculpting the image. I love how the brushstrokes around the spaceships give a sense of movement, like you're right there in the middle of the action. And the colours, so intense, create a feeling of urgency and excitement. It reminds me a little of Syd Mead, with that same sense of futuristic wonder, but Berkey has a looser, more painterly touch. What I love about this piece, like all great art, is that it invites you to bring your own imagination to the party.