His understanding of color and light in making imaginary scenarios look convincing plus his genuine love for technology made Berkey the top illustrator of sci-fi space themes.
As a teenager in the 70’s I grew up reading books with John Berkey’s book cover art. I wore out the Star Wars novel with his book cover, which I used to teach myself how to draw graphic novels. John Berkey’s art has a special place in my collection of artists from my childhood. Twenty years ago I started doing book cover art myself. I credit John Berkey and George Lucas as two of my inspirations.
When I was MUCH younger I didn’t really appreciate Berkey as an artist….however in recent years, I see his painterly technique for hard edged science fiction as almost genius-like in how he can produce such amazing work.
Thank you for this! I've been a fan since 1974's The Towering Inferno posters, then 1976's various King Kong promotional illustrations, and of course, 1977's Star Wars poster(s)!
Fantastic job. I remember these illustrations years before star wars came out. And when it did, I thought it was already a success because the designs of the movie were so much like this artists work.👍❤️💯
This is awesome! I LOVE Berkey's work! I have one of his prelim sketches for HOW MANY ARE THERE. It's one of my treasured possessions! Thx for making this!
Inspiring video! I had known dozens of images of John Berkey, without realising they were by the same person, including the cover of the first book I ever read, Star Wars. What is brilliant about his style is that he still leaves room for mystery, bringing some of the sensitivities of the better side of fine art, to science fiction art.
As a kid, i saw so many covers of sci-fi books, novels, etc. and now know Berke was the artist. As a fan of Asimov, i had no idea Berke did a self-portrait in 'The Caves of Steel'.
I've loved Berkey's art since first encountering it, I think it was in "Omni" magazine. Not as "nuts-and-bolts" as was a lot of sci-fi illustration, more a sense of painterly grandeur which just happened to focus on technology. Similar to Syd Mead, but not as slickly sterile. Closer to Chris Foss, not in technique but in visual drama. I wish sci-fi movies would lean more into those ideas and visuals, instead of pumping out repetitions of Alien's 'Nostromo" (as much as I also love Ron Cobb's designs, they've almost become the film industry's go-to solution for everything). We got a taste of Foss's work in "Guardians of the Galaxy", but that was merely an appetiser, having full-on Berkey and Foss space operas would breathe new energy into the genre.
I know that the game No Man's Sky was heavily inspired by old science fiction book covers, they really wanted to recreate that aesthetic and feeling in the game and I think they succeeded in many aspects. Definitely check out that game if you haven't already it's fairly unique
I come and go, I would like to dedicate more time to the channel, but there are other priorities, every time I can I will upload something. Thank you very much for commenting
Berkey did several paintings for the US Navy. My Dad was stationed at a recruiting area headquarters in 1970s and they were sent some material with at least one of those paintings as its image. There is a website, John Berkey Art, where those illustrations can be viewed.
cool artist, but the whole video sounds written by AI given some of the phrases used it looks like the wikipedia entry on Berkey was passed through an AI to re-write it. the future of content
I would love to be able to like this video since Berkey is a favorite art style but that background hum behind the narration makes it a hard dislike, I can't stay to finish it.
Great video! Can see where all the AI generated images used for space ambient music videos on YT lately have been getting their cues. Proud now to know the original master, Mr Berkey!
Berkey had a unique vision. Spacecraft that resemble massive sailing ships belching jets of fire. Love it.
'OMNI'!!!
I miss seeing that magazine..... I ALWAYS Liked the art!!
His understanding of color and light in making imaginary scenarios look convincing plus his genuine love for technology made Berkey the top illustrator of sci-fi space themes.
Berkey is one of Sci-Fi illustration's great artists. He inspired much of my own design work. Thanks for the exhibition.
Thanks to you for commenting
I can only call his style dreamlike realism. What an amazing painter!
As a teenager in the 70’s I grew up reading books with John Berkey’s book cover art. I wore out the Star Wars novel with his book cover, which I used to teach myself how to draw graphic novels. John Berkey’s art has a special place in my collection of artists from my childhood. Twenty years ago I started doing book cover art myself. I credit John Berkey and George Lucas as two of my inspirations.
I especially loved the starwars art book
When I was MUCH younger I didn’t really appreciate Berkey as an artist….however in recent years, I see his painterly technique for hard edged science fiction as almost genius-like in how he can produce such amazing work.
So inspiring! I’ve loved his work since childhood.
I’m also kinda into this narration! It’s giving “In the world before Monkey, primal chaos reigned…”
Thank you for this! I've been a fan since 1974's The Towering Inferno posters, then 1976's various King Kong promotional illustrations, and of course, 1977's Star Wars poster(s)!
Thank you very much for watching the video and commenting
Fantastic job. I remember these illustrations years before star wars came out. And when it did, I thought it was already a success because the designs of the movie were so much like this artists work.👍❤️💯
This is awesome! I LOVE Berkey's work! I have one of his prelim sketches for HOW MANY ARE THERE. It's one of my treasured possessions! Thx for making this!
Inspiring video! I had known dozens of images of John Berkey, without realising they were by the same person, including the cover of the first book I ever read, Star Wars. What is brilliant about his style is that he still leaves room for mystery, bringing some of the sensitivities of the better side of fine art, to science fiction art.
Great video. You ought to do an episode on Syd Mead.
Syd is my favorite. I always wanted to live in a world designed by Syd Mead.
Thank you very much for the recommendation, I will keep it in mind for the future
I had that edition of Starman Jones and several Berkey posters on my walls.
When I was 12 in 76 all this art was available in a book I had
As a kid, i saw so many covers of sci-fi books, novels, etc. and now know Berke was the artist.
As a fan of Asimov, i had no idea Berke did a self-portrait in 'The Caves of Steel'.
Robert McCall instead took the 2001 assignment and later did the murals at the DC Air and Space Museum.
I've loved Berkey's art since first encountering it, I think it was in "Omni" magazine. Not as "nuts-and-bolts" as was a lot of sci-fi illustration, more a sense of painterly grandeur which just happened to focus on technology. Similar to Syd Mead, but not as slickly sterile. Closer to Chris Foss, not in technique but in visual drama. I wish sci-fi movies would lean more into those ideas and visuals, instead of pumping out repetitions of Alien's 'Nostromo" (as much as I also love Ron Cobb's designs, they've almost become the film industry's go-to solution for everything). We got a taste of Foss's work in "Guardians of the Galaxy", but that was merely an appetiser, having full-on Berkey and Foss space operas would breathe new energy into the genre.
Un excelente video y un artista impresionante como siempre
Gracias! 😊
Amazing artist! It's a shame the only books currently available sell for a small fortune online.
Great Vid!
Excellent
Too cool.
We need an animation (and for that matter a video game!) with the aesthetics of John Berkey's art style.
I know that the game No Man's Sky was heavily inspired by old science fiction book covers, they really wanted to recreate that aesthetic and feeling in the game and I think they succeeded in many aspects. Definitely check out that game if you haven't already it's fairly unique
Good to have you back.
I come and go, I would like to dedicate more time to the channel, but there are other priorities, every time I can I will upload something. Thank you very much for commenting
@@ArtShutter keep it coming man,
Always a good watch.
The only channel I'm subscribed to.
🤙🤙🤙
Another banger!
Real Paintings!
REAL ARTISTS!
I was a kid in the '80's and had a USN poster of a future ship.looked like it was on hydrofoil but it reminds of this art. Was that same guy?
Berkey did several paintings for the US Navy. My Dad was stationed at a recruiting area headquarters in 1970s and they were sent some material with at least one of those paintings as its image. There is a website, John Berkey Art, where those illustrations can be viewed.
@@scottfw7169 thank you!
Nice video, thank you very much.
Thank you very much for watching and commenting
sector general.....
should be a series....
cool
Syd Mead.
He mastered pareadolia
You should also look up Angus McKie and do one on him.
I should definitely do it, thank you very much for reminding me
Well, you can see where the Expanse novels got their cover inspiration!
cool artist, but the whole video sounds written by AI
given some of the phrases used it looks like the wikipedia entry on Berkey was passed through an AI to re-write it.
the future of content
I would love to be able to like this video since Berkey is a favorite art style but that background hum behind the narration makes it a hard dislike, I can't stay to finish it.
Great video! Can see where all the AI generated images used for space ambient music videos on YT lately have been getting their cues. Proud now to know the original master, Mr Berkey!
Cues? You mean stolen style.
Please get rid of the AI sounding voice. I'd rather listen to Spanish and have the auto-translate.
What is this voice? Is this AI narration?
Yep... the vocal cadence is the same throughout the video making it very uninteresting to listen to...
I appreciate your time and energy in celebrating this artist's work but the narration voice is a deal breaker for me. I'm guessing it's AI?
AI voice?
FOR A SECOND THERE I THOUGHT THIS WAS SYD MEADS WORK