The Amsirs and the Iron Thorn Book Cover 1967

Frank Frazetta made this cover for “The Amsirs and the Iron Thorn”, and looking at the way he's built the scene, it’s clear that artmaking is a process of layering and intuition. You can see the physicality of the medium in the textures he's created; thin washes of paint giving way to thick impasto. This contrast creates a sense of depth, like you could reach out and touch the jagged rocks. The violet shadows and golden highlights capture a sense of otherworldliness. Check out the sweeping gestures of the brushwork in the sky. It's as if Frazetta is conjuring the storm from the canvas itself. Frazetta’s work has always been a touchstone for me, especially the way he embraces the fantastic. He seems a kindred spirit to someone like Odd Nerdrum, another artist who isn't afraid to push boundaries and challenge our perceptions of reality. In the end, it’s not about definitive answers, it’s about embracing the mystery.