Patrick Woodroffe
Encyclopedia
Patrick James Woodroffe (b. 1940 Halifax, West Yorkshire
) is an English
artist, etcher and drawer, who specialises in fantasy
science-fiction artwork, with images that border on the surreal. His achievements include several collaborations with well-known musicians, two bronze sculptures displayed in Switzerland and numerous books.
in 1940, the son of an electrical engineer.
In 1964 he graduated in French
and German
at the University of Leeds
, before going on to exhibit his first showing of pen and ink drawings, Conflict, at the Institute of Contemporary Arts
in London
. However he did not become a full time artist until 1972, the year in which he gave an exhibit of his paintings, etchings and related works at the Covent Garden
Gallery in London.
His career took off when he was asked to produce approximately 90 book cover paintings between 1973 and 1976 for Corgi, including Peter Valentine Timlett's The Seedbearers (1975) and Roger Zelazny
's Nine Princes in Amber (1974). During this early period he was also commissioned to provide art for record album cover sleeves, including heavy metal
band Judas Priest
's album Sad Wings of Destiny
(1976). This was followed by an exhibition of book-jacket and record-sleeve paintings in 1976, which appeared at Mel Calman
's Workshop Gallery in London
. That year the children's book Micky's New Home was published with illustrations by Woodroffe. In 1978 he mounted an exhibition of more than two hundred works at the historic Piece Hall in Halifax.
In 1979, Woodroffe then went on to create illustrations for The Pentateuch of the Cosmogony
: The Birth and Death of a World (later shortened to 'The Pentateuch'), a joint project the symphonic rock
musician Dave Greenslade
. The Pentateuch purports to be the first five chapters of an alien Book of Genesis. The album consisted of two-discs by Greenslade, and a 47-page book of Woodroffe's illustrations. The record sold over 50,000 copies between 1979 and 1984. The illustrations were shown at the World Science Fiction Convention, at Brighton
's Metropole Hotel in 1979. In 1976, his illustrated book The Adventures of Tinker the Hole Eating Duck was published by Dragon's World.
In 1983 he created an album sleeve for the rock band Pallas, as well as related logos for merchandise. The same year saw Woodroffe creating art (including representations of a Snark
- a subject traditionally taboo for an artist to do) for composer Mike Batt
's 1984 musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll
's poem The Hunting of the Snark
. The 1980s also saw another Patrick Woodroffeexhibition, Catching the Myth, at Folkestone
's Metropole Arts Centre (1986), which featured 122 pieces selected from twenty years of work. In 1989 he prepared for conceptual art used in the film The NeverEnding Story II
.
Through the 1990s and 2000s he continued to work on numerous other projects including a sculpture at Gruyeres Castle in Switzerland
, based on his earlier picture The Vicious Circle (1979). The project is designed to show war as a closed circle of absurd, self-destructive futility. He continues to hold exhibitions, his latest work including a recent exhibition at Sainte Barbe, in Switzerland
.
He resides with his family in Cornwall
, where he has lived since 1964.
Woodroffe has developed a variety of resourceful techniques to produce natural-media artwork over the years, including a method for colouring etchings and Indian ink drawings using oil paint. The method requires applying a barrier layer of liquin
to the drawing or etching. This layer must be allowed to dry thoroughly before the oil colour is applied in thin glazes.
words for 'cut' and 'drawing', until he found out about the medical usage). These are photographs that combine actual objects with cut-outs of his paintings (for example in one Tomograph Patrick is seen 'feeding' a cut-out picture of an anthropomorphic bird peanuts from his hand).
The picture on the front of his project The Forget-me-not-Gardener is a Tomograph.
The sleeves from the first copies of the following albums were replaced because of unauthorized use of Patrick Woodroffe's artwork.
(1976)(ISBN 978-0905895222).
Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
artist, etcher and drawer, who specialises in fantasy
Fantasy art
Fantasy art is a genre of art that depicts magical or other supernatural themes, ideas, creatures or settings. While there is some overlap with science fiction, horror and other speculative fiction art, there are unique elements not generally found in other forms of speculative fiction art...
science-fiction artwork, with images that border on the surreal. His achievements include several collaborations with well-known musicians, two bronze sculptures displayed in Switzerland and numerous books.
Chronology
Woodroffe was born in Halifax, West YorkshireHalifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
in 1940, the son of an electrical engineer.
In 1964 he graduated in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
at the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
, before going on to exhibit his first showing of pen and ink drawings, Conflict, at the Institute of Contemporary Arts
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is an artistic and cultural centre on The Mall in London, just off Trafalgar Square. It is located within Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace, near the Duke of York Steps and Admiralty Arch...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. However he did not become a full time artist until 1972, the year in which he gave an exhibit of his paintings, etchings and related works at the Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
Gallery in London.
His career took off when he was asked to produce approximately 90 book cover paintings between 1973 and 1976 for Corgi, including Peter Valentine Timlett's The Seedbearers (1975) and Roger Zelazny
Roger Zelazny
Roger Joseph Zelazny was an American writer of fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels, best known for his The Chronicles of Amber series...
's Nine Princes in Amber (1974). During this early period he was also commissioned to provide art for record album cover sleeves, including heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
's album Sad Wings of Destiny
Sad Wings of Destiny
-CD Track listing:The 1995 CD reissue by Repertoire Records had track 3 labeled as "Dream Deceiver" rather than "Dreamer Deceiver", this was later changed back to its original title on the 1998 release by Snapper Music. None of the reissues of Sad Wings of Destiny are endorsed by Judas Priest. -...
(1976). This was followed by an exhibition of book-jacket and record-sleeve paintings in 1976, which appeared at Mel Calman
Mel Calman
Melville Calman was a British cartoonist best known for his "little man" cartoons published in British newspapers including the Daily Express , The Sunday Telegraph , The Observer , The Sunday Times and The Times .-Biography:Calman was the youngest of the...
's Workshop Gallery in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. That year the children's book Micky's New Home was published with illustrations by Woodroffe. In 1978 he mounted an exhibition of more than two hundred works at the historic Piece Hall in Halifax.
In 1979, Woodroffe then went on to create illustrations for The Pentateuch of the Cosmogony
The Pentateuch of the Cosmogony
A hardback book and double vinyl album released in 1979, conceived, written and illustrated by Patrick Woodroffe, with music written and performed by Dave Greenslade...
: The Birth and Death of a World (later shortened to 'The Pentateuch'), a joint project the symphonic rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
musician Dave Greenslade
Greenslade
Greenslade is an English progressive rock band. It was originally formed in the autumn of 1972 with the following line-up:* Dave Greenslade - keyboards...
. The Pentateuch purports to be the first five chapters of an alien Book of Genesis. The album consisted of two-discs by Greenslade, and a 47-page book of Woodroffe's illustrations. The record sold over 50,000 copies between 1979 and 1984. The illustrations were shown at the World Science Fiction Convention, at Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
's Metropole Hotel in 1979. In 1976, his illustrated book The Adventures of Tinker the Hole Eating Duck was published by Dragon's World.
In 1983 he created an album sleeve for the rock band Pallas, as well as related logos for merchandise. The same year saw Woodroffe creating art (including representations of a Snark
Snark (Lewis Carroll)
The Snark is a fictional animal species created by Lewis Carroll in his nonsense poem The Hunting of the Snark. His descriptions of the creature were, in his own words, unimaginable, and he wanted that to remain so.-The origin of the poem:...
- a subject traditionally taboo for an artist to do) for composer Mike Batt
Mike Batt
Michael Philip "Mike" Batt is a British songwriter, musician, producer and Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry...
's 1984 musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson , better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll , was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the...
's poem The Hunting of the Snark
The Hunting of the Snark
The Hunting of the Snark is usually thought of as a nonsense poem written by Lewis Carroll in 1874, when he was 42 years old...
. The 1980s also saw another Patrick Woodroffeexhibition, Catching the Myth, at Folkestone
Folkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
's Metropole Arts Centre (1986), which featured 122 pieces selected from twenty years of work. In 1989 he prepared for conceptual art used in the film The NeverEnding Story II
The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter
The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter is a 1990 fantasy film and sequel to The NeverEnding Story. It was directed by George T. Miller and starred Jonathan Brandis as Bastian Bux, Kenny Morrison as Atreyu, and Alexandra Johnes as the Childlike Empress. The only actor to return from the first...
.
Through the 1990s and 2000s he continued to work on numerous other projects including a sculpture at Gruyeres Castle in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, based on his earlier picture The Vicious Circle (1979). The project is designed to show war as a closed circle of absurd, self-destructive futility. He continues to hold exhibitions, his latest work including a recent exhibition at Sainte Barbe, in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
He resides with his family in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, where he has lived since 1964.
Technique
His work has included drawings, copper etching, painting and sculpture.Woodroffe has developed a variety of resourceful techniques to produce natural-media artwork over the years, including a method for colouring etchings and Indian ink drawings using oil paint. The method requires applying a barrier layer of liquin
Liquin
Liquin is a quick-drying medium for oil and alkyd paint. Used as an additive in many forms of artwork, liquin is produced by Winsor & Newton and has a number of uses.-Method:...
to the drawing or etching. This layer must be allowed to dry thoroughly before the oil colour is applied in thin glazes.
Tomographs
Woodroffe's work also includes Tomographs (not to be confused with the medical scan - according to his book A Closer Look Woodroffe believed he had 'invented' the word in the seventies from the GreekGreek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
words for 'cut' and 'drawing', until he found out about the medical usage). These are photographs that combine actual objects with cut-outs of his paintings (for example in one Tomograph Patrick is seen 'feeding' a cut-out picture of an anthropomorphic bird peanuts from his hand).
The picture on the front of his project The Forget-me-not-Gardener is a Tomograph.
Musical sleeve art
- Strawbs, Burning for YouBurning for YouBurning for You is a studio album by English band Strawbs.-Side one:#"Burning for Me" – 4:01#"Cut Like a Diamond" – 3:44#"I Feel Your Loving Coming On" – 2:56...
(1974) - Beethoven, Emperor Concerto (1974)
- RossRossRoss is a region of Scotland and a former mormaerdom, earldom, sheriffdom and county. The name Ross allegedly derives from a Gaelic word meaning a headland - perhaps a reference to the Black Isle. The Norse word for Orkney - Hrossay meaning horse island - is another possible origin. The area...
, RSO RecordsRSO RecordsRSO Records was a record label, formed by rock and roll and musical theatre impresario Robert Stigwood in 1973. The "RSO" stands for the Robert Stigwood Organisation. The company's main headquarters were at 67 Brook Street, in London's Mayfair...
(1974) - Dave GreensladeDave GreensladeDave Greenslade is a British keyboards player. He has played in his own eponymous band, Greenslade, and others including Colosseum, If and Chris Farlowe's Thunderbirds....
, Time and TideTime and Tide (Greenslade album)Time and Tide is the fourth studio album of the British progressive rock band Greenslade, released in 1975 on Warner Bros. Records. The artwork for the album cover is by Patrick Woodroffe.- Track listing :...
(1975) - GreensladeGreensladeGreenslade is an English progressive rock band. It was originally formed in the autumn of 1972 with the following line-up:* Dave Greenslade - keyboards...
, Greenslade 2 (1975) - preliminary artwork only, the album was never recorded. - BudgieBudgie (band)Budgie is a Welsh Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band from Cardiff. They are widely considered as one of the first heavy metal bands and a seminal influence to many acts of that scene, with fast, heavy rock being played as early as 1971. The band has been noted as "among the heaviest metal of its day"...
, BandolierBandolier (album)Bandolier is Budgie's fifth album, released in September 1975 through MCA Records. It reached #36 in the UK and was certified gold in 1976. The album was released in the US on A&M Records in late 1975.The...
(1975) - a take on Planet of the ApesPlanet of the Apes (1968 film)Planet of the Apes is a 1968 American science fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, based on the 1963 French novel La Planète des singes by Pierre Boulle. The film stars Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, James Daly and Linda Harrison...
with horse riders with budgie heads - Judas PriestJudas PriestJudas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
, Sad Wings of DestinySad Wings of Destiny-CD Track listing:The 1995 CD reissue by Repertoire Records had track 3 labeled as "Dream Deceiver" rather than "Dreamer Deceiver", this was later changed back to its original title on the 1998 release by Snapper Music. None of the reissues of Sad Wings of Destiny are endorsed by Judas Priest. -...
(1976) - Dave GreensladeDave GreensladeDave Greenslade is a British keyboards player. He has played in his own eponymous band, Greenslade, and others including Colosseum, If and Chris Farlowe's Thunderbirds....
, The Pentateuch of the CosmogonyThe Pentateuch of the CosmogonyA hardback book and double vinyl album released in 1979, conceived, written and illustrated by Patrick Woodroffe, with music written and performed by Dave Greenslade...
(1979) - PallasPallas (band)Pallas are a progressive rock band based in the UK. They were one of the bands at the vanguard of what was termed neo-progressive during progressive rock's second-wave revival in the early 1980s...
, The Sentinel (1983) - Mike BattMike BattMichael Philip "Mike" Batt is a British songwriter, musician, producer and Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry...
, The Hunting of the SnarkThe Hunting of the SnarkThe Hunting of the Snark is usually thought of as a nonsense poem written by Lewis Carroll in 1874, when he was 42 years old...
(1984) - StratovariusStratovariusStratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
. Fright NightFright Night (album)Fright Night is the first studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 1989 through Columbia Records; a remastered edition was reissued in 2003.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Timo Tolkki – vocals, guitar, production...
(1989)
The sleeves from the first copies of the following albums were replaced because of unauthorized use of Patrick Woodroffe's artwork.
- DJ Tiësto, Magik One: First FlightMagik One: First FlightMagik One: First Flight is the first album in the Magik series by trance artist DJ Tiësto, released on September, 1997 in the Netherlands. It was re-released in 2001...
(1997) - DJ Tiësto, Magik Two: Story of the FallMagik Two: Story of the FallMagik Two: Story of the Fall is the second album in the Magik series by well-known trance DJ/producer Tiësto, who, at the time of the album's release was known as DJ Tiësto; the album was released on Tiësto's Black Hole record label. As with the rest of the Magik series, the album is a live...
(1997) - DJ Tiësto, Magik Three: Far from EarthMagik Three: Far from EarthMagik Three: Far From Earth is the third album in the Magik series by well-known trance DJ/producer Tiësto. As with the rest of the Magik series, the album is a live turntable mix.-Track listing:...
(1998) - DJ Tiësto, Magik Four: A New AdventureMagik Four: A New AdventureMagik Four: A New Adventure is the fourth album in the Magik series by well-known trance DJ/producer Tiësto. As with the rest of the Magik series, the album is a live turntable mix.-Track listing:# Darkstar - "Feel Me" – 5:58...
(1999)
Sculptures
- Le Bouclier de Mars (1993)- Gruyeres CastleChâteau de GruyèresThe Castle of Gruyères , located in the medieval town of Gruyères, Fribourg, is one of the most famous in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.-History:...
- Le Bouclier de Vénus (1996)- Gruyeres Castle
Art projects
- The Pentateuch (1978/9) Art work to accompany Dave GreensladeDave GreensladeDave Greenslade is a British keyboards player. He has played in his own eponymous band, Greenslade, and others including Colosseum, If and Chris Farlowe's Thunderbirds....
's album of the same name. - Pallas: The Sentinel (1983) Art work for PallasPallas (band)Pallas are a progressive rock band based in the UK. They were one of the bands at the vanguard of what was termed neo-progressive during progressive rock's second-wave revival in the early 1980s...
's album of the same name, merchandise, logos and follow up work - Hunting of the Snark (1983/4) Art work and models to accompany Mike BattMike BattMichael Philip "Mike" Batt is a British songwriter, musician, producer and Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry...
's musical version of Lewis CarrollLewis CarrollCharles Lutwidge Dodgson , better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll , was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the...
's famous nonsense poemThe Hunting of the SnarkThe Hunting of the Snark is usually thought of as a nonsense poem written by Lewis Carroll in 1874, when he was 42 years old... - Hallelujah Anyway (1984) Art work to follow up The Pentateuch project
- During the summer 1984 Woodroffe produced a series of pictures of farmyard life and farm animals.
- Mythopoeikon (1986) Mythopoeikon (Woodroffe's own word - myth-making images) was a collection of ten years work
- The Forget-me-not-Gardener (2005) A recent collection of art
Books
As well as providing cover-art for numerous authors, Woodroffe has also produced books on his art techniques (such as A Closer Look at the art and techniques of Patrick Woodroffe, 1986) and Mythopoeikon, published by Paper Tiger BooksPaper Tiger Books
Paper Tiger is a publishing house started in 1976 by Martyn and Roger Dean, on the back of their success at publishing Dean's Views graphic album under sister imprint Dragon's Dream...
(1976)(ISBN 978-0905895222).
External links
- Patrick Woodroffe's web page, containing information on his art, life, exhibitions past and present and art projects.