Mr. Blisard presents a neat little package of pencil sketches, pen-and-ink studies, storyboard layouts, etc. on various sci-fi/fantasy favorites.  Most of his work here is inspired by the Barsoomian novels of ERB.

This is a mixed bag, running from quick sketches to rather finished drawings.  From the dates on the pictures, we can see that he is showing a wide range of his work, some of it as early as the 1960’s. 

The main thing that strikes me about Frank’s drawings are the great number of angles and poses with which he draws his human and alien figures.  Some of it obviously is experimental, that is, he is an artist who is taking chances and learning his craft. 

I’m glad to see these drawings thrown together helter skelter.  I know how this mixture comes about, as I too have sent batches of things to Bill by going through my sketchbooks and photocopying things at random.  The main thing is that Frank is daring enough to share his work with us, and we are richer for seeing this side of his many talents.

The more I look at Frank’s work, the more I like it.  His quick sketches appeal to me for their freedom of execution.  I find a flair for the whimsical in some of these drawings, a trait that every artist needs.  I don’t know how these pictures were cropped after execution, but I do like the way he is able to fill the canvas top to bottom and side to side.

Some of my favorites are the rather horsy thoats with their twisting necks (1, 39, 6, 7), the leaning John Carter (19), the lovely bird-riding warrior (35), and the warrior with the axe at the end of the series (37).  Again, the number of poses with warriors with swords is remarkable.  My favorite is the warrior with two hands on the sword facing the pointed eared giant (12). 

I suppose it might be a good idea for some of us artists to trade sketches sometime.  I have a nice collection of things from my brother, Duane, but I haven’t really made the effort to collect much original art.  I have tons of pen and ink sketches without a home, and recently I have gone back to my first love -- watercolors.  Oil paintings are the next thing on my horizon since I haven’t worked in this medium for many years, however, I do have a mean brush waiting for the world.

I really liked your work, Frank.  You have loads of talent, and I am happy to write this little review per your request.  I downloaded and printed these drawings in 9 pages.  ERBzin-e Issue 349 is a winner!  Good job Frank and Bill for offering a view of some unique art studies related to our favorite writer, Edgar Rice Burroughs. 

Nkima
April 28, 2000