Advice from a Master: Frank Frazetta

Never-before-seen footage of the legendary illustrator, Frank Frazetta.
L. Ron Hubbard called Frazetta the “King of Illustrators”-a tribute to the artist’s mastery, popularity, and enduring influence over the world of illustration. Frank Frazetta stated, “I loved illustrating action and adventure stories and no one wrote them better than L. Ron Hubbard.”
Frazetta signed lithos available at galaxypress.com/art/
Frank Frazetta (1928-2010) was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of eight, at the insistence of his school teachers, Frazetta’s parents enrolled him in the Brooklyn Academy of Fine Arts. He attended the academy for eight years under the tutelage of Michele Falanga, an award-winning Italian fine artist.
At sixteen, Frazetta started drawing for comic books with various themes: western, fantasy, mystery, history and other contemporary themes. Some of his earliest work was in funny animal comics, which he signed as “Fritz.” During this period he turned down job offers from such giants as Walt Disney. In the early 1950s, he worked for EC Comics, National Comics (including the superhero feature “Shining Knight”), Avon and several other comic book companies. Much of his work in comics was done in collaboration with friends Al Williamson and Roy Krenkel.
Through his work on the Buck Rogers covers for Famous Funnies, Frazetta started working with Al Capp on his Li’l Abner comic strip. At the time, Frazetta was also producing his own strip, Johnny Comet, as well as assisting Dan Barry on the Flash Gordon daily strip. In 1961, after nine years with Capp, Frazetta returned to regular comics. Work in comics for Frazetta was hard to find, however. Because he had emulated Capp’s style for so long, Frazetta’s own work now looked a bit awkward as his own style struggled to reemerge. Comics had changed during his period with Capp and his style was deemed antiquated.
Eventually, he joined Harvey Kurtzman doing the parody strip Little Annie Fanny in Playboy magazine. By 1964, one of Frazetta’s magazine ads caught the eye of United Artists studios. He was approached to do the movie poster for What’s New Pussycat and earned his yearly salary in one afternoon. Frazetta did several other movie posters and started producing paintings for paperback editions of adventure books. His cover for the sword-and-sorcery collection Conan the Adventurer by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp (Lancer 1966) caused a sensation: numerous people bought the book for its cover alone. From then on, Frazetta’s work was in great demand. He did covers for paperback editions of classic Edgar Rice Burroughs books, such as those from the Tarzan and Barsoom (John Carter of Mars) series. He also did pen-and-ink illustrations for many of these books. After the mid-1960s, most of Frazetta’s work was commercial in nature, as he produced paintings and illustrations for such things as movie posters, book jackets, and calendars. In addition, commercial demand for many of his uncommissioned paintings increased significantly.
Frank Frazetta was an Illustrators of the Future Contest judge from its inception until he passed away.
“The Illustrators of the Future Contest is one of the best opportunities a young artist will ever get. You have nothing to lose and a lot to win.” -Frank Frazetta
Find out more at frazettagirls.com

[@aquabender2542]

Rudy sent me here 😁 Sorcery Contested Realms is going to be brilliant using Frank art.

[@anthonylilly6862]

I was doing a celebrity portrait charity auction years ago and was photographing lots of stars and then painting their portraits, then the stars would autograph it and we'd sell it for the charity of their choice. I called Frank and spoke to him for about an hour. He had had a stroke and it was difficult for him to speak, but he agreed to pose for me. Unfortunately he passed away before we had the opportunity to do the session. It was certainly a privilege to have spoken to him.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Sorry to hear. He was an amazing man and incredible artist. He loved the Illustrators of the Future Contest and being able to help the next generation. He still continues to inspire so many years after his passing.

[@Philtration]

I remember being 14 and waiting for the next issue of Heavy Metal to hit the stands. Hoping it would be a Frazetta cover.

[@kombijr]

I always liked the way he drew women.

[@ronbridges3933]

I’ve enjoyed his art since I first encountered it on paperback covers in my college bookstore, over 50 years ago. I had no idea he looked like James Bond.

[@Polyphemus47]

I just today discovered that he was one of the artists for my childhood favorite comic book, Supermouse. I've admired him for his fantasy artwork all through the years, not knowing that I've loved his artwork since I was a kid, in the early '50s.

[@gumpster8913]

What a great guy he was.

[@grokeffer6226]

Frank Frazetta sold a lot of books with his cover art. Typically, during my youth, if I saw a Frazetta cover, I bought the book regardless of who the writer was. He was a true master.

[@stephanyearwood1377]

This man was a genius. One of my favorite artists.

[@michaelkeropian2954]

Franks teacher was a fine artist who was sole instructor at Brooklyn Academy. Michael Falanga was born in Torre del Greco, Naples, Italy on July 5, 1867. [ 1] He studied first with artist Michele Tedesco, then at the Istituto di Belle Arti in Naples with Stanislao Lista, Domenico Morelli and Filippo Palizzi. [ 2] Tedesco (1834-1917) was a student of Morelli. [

[@abrahemsamander3967]

His self portrait captures his face perfectly. It’s always so pleasing to hear a master talk on his/her craft. Frazetta is eternal.

[@khelatar]

I kept thinking he kind of looks like Tony Curtis.

[@RocketeerAndRoll]

Every word he says is burned in my mind as inspiration now.

[@Poopenheimer1969]

Came for painting advice, left with the feels

[@tomslick2058]

I think his comic book background also plays a big part in his art. In that some of the dynamism come from exaggerated poses that can't be duplicated in real life.

[@LD_Monster]

Definitely.

[@AzureSymbiote]

That explains much. Thanks for the information.

[@robertzigo2520]

I really love his passion. The ending of this interview should be HIGHLIGHTED to everyone who love the creative process of making art and to all who struggle in these hard times of AI generated stuff (which I am strongly against). Do what you love, stay creative and appreciate the artists (including yourself).

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Well said! And we have new rules coming out for both the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests disqualifying any submissions using AI storytelling or art.

[@schechter01]

@@WritersoftheFuture That's good to hear. At least someone is holding the fort against the coming algorithmic "Terminators"...they won't just overturn commercial arts fields, either. Algorithm-driven programs already do a small (but growing) number of tasks with a speed, efficiency & accuracy than the best human employees can't hope to match. I hate to say it but it's true. Algorithms are used to trade stocks & stock options, find cases & decisions for constructing legal arguments & precedent, tracking urban crime patterns, etc. It's not a nice thing to say, but...I think the fields of freelance illustration, graphic design & character design are on borrowed time now. Animation will be the next on the chopping block, once AIs start generating 3D sequences & writing story plots on their own.

[@ChrisJames-gv9wy]

@@schechter01 Independent will be the way to go if one wishes to produce work in the way or ways in which they have known. You'll face a market diluted by the glut of images being put out by AI generators, but we were already facing that with the ease at which digital tools allowed so many amateurs to put out superficially slick work that was just good enough for corporations to put to use. Now corporate art will be handled by AI. But at the end of the day, their products still have to compete in the marketplace, and there it is up for grabs. They may get the bigger share ofaudience attention (although ask giant Marvel how they're comics are doing against creator driven comics like Attack on Titan), but that's how it's always been.

[@Siegfried5846]

What does it mean to be "against" it?

[@SttravagaNZza]

@@Siegfried5846 That you dont understand it and that you fear it.

[@securityranger773]

It's one thing to draw what is in front of you and quite another to pull that thing out of your imagination and put it down in such a visceral way.

[@conwaytwitty8634]

He was the man when I was a kid. I always looked forward to his covers on any magazine!

[@WritersoftheFuture]

It's amazing how many artists he inspired and how many attempted to emulate him.

[@RyanMcCarthy826]

Pay attention to the Master!

[@NBDYSPCL]

He was a master of composition and movement. His paintings of combat throw you right into the middle of the fray. Perfect match for Howards writing. If they co-existed at the same time they would have doninated the comics industry.

[@doctorgap]

Rudy sent me here, and i approve

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

What a great artist.

[@williamgunnarsson]

He went all around the world to explain, " Contrast & Balance ", that every artist must have.

[@fluidfox1436]

I think his take on composition here shows he mostly just focused on what seemed to work for him. You're right though, these aren't really obscure principles of composition at all. Maybe he just liked to talk shit about other artists? =)

[@williamgunnarsson]

@@fluidfox1436 Hey. Thanks for seeing basically the same thing as me. He could've summed things up in fewer words than that. But I can't deny his success. I wanted to be an artist, but in order to make a living at it, you have to have at least a modicum of talent that'll sell your stuff. I tried, but I'd " go blank " and couldn't produce. I had a lot of half-done projects laying around collecting dust. So, I quit and became a musician instead and made some money at that. I'm not clairvoyant, but reading your comments I can almost hear you speak it. My seeing-eye intuition tells me that you're very likely an excellent artist, in addition to having a superior understanding of human nature and the world. Don't ask me how I know. I just do .

[@erickdraws9563]

@@fluidfox1436 i think he was being as authentic as he could with his art, the overselling of his own is another separate side. all i see on social media isnt original, not that i have not done copy paste art myself trying to get noticed lol that makes me laugh cus its not authentic but i can see that in me and most like 90% of the known artist in 2023 are cookie cutter workers and some forced attempt at originality lol.. its too clever to ever be artistic and thereby original. it doesn't flow from the mind, it comes from the creative side of a human being and is not located in the brain.

[@fluidfox1436]

@@erickdraws9563 He was definitely authentic.

[@delacroix2007]

great to hear the master speak. the background music is totally unnecessary and quite distracting.

[@michaelkeropian2954]

Frank was a trained fine artist. Everything he talks about should be taught in art schools today.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Agreed 1000%

[@THEMAX00000]

I wasn’t aware that he was formally trained as an artist

[@JackMyersPhotography]

@@THEMAX00000 “Painting With Fire” is a good documentary on him. A bit dark in tone, but very good. They go over his beginning.

[@JackMyersPhotography]

@@hemoglobin7744 He got paid, to say no one paid him is nonsense. Being bad with money and estate planning has nothing to do with success.

[@JackMyersPhotography]

@@hemoglobin7744 You created an account to make dog crap comments, always a red flag. “Virtually no money” or “A little money” want to alter it more? He was respected by everyone in his field and held up as the example, the best. Even the American Illustrators honored him. Your measure of success is trite and petty.

[@redbarchetta8782]

That man had a HUGE impact on my childhood.

[@thebrownlizard3988]

same !!!

[@josephb3193]

I'm so happy to see Frank become more articulate as time passed. He turned a lot of people of with his earlier behavior.

[@schechter01]

Liked. Never been a sword-&-sorcery illustrator myself but Frazetta's words here are great guidance, for artists of almost any genre. I know I will refer to this video again.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Thank you. There is also an article by Frank Frazetta written for the Illustrators of the Future Contest for which he was a judge. www.writersofthefuture.com/frank-frazetta-an-introduction/

[@asdasx392]

One of the few interviews with an artist where he actually provides specific information about his art rather than a bunch of fluff. I never really realized how muted the colors were in his work until he pointed it out. Screw originality - I am stealing his ideas! Also, I am amazed how how small his paintings are. I always thought they were poster sized.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

I toured his home in Boca Grande when it opened as a museum last year. There were about 30 originals and I was amazed at how small some of his paintings were. But such amazing detail!

[@FrazettaGirls]

Thank you for premiering this at the Frazetta Art Museum in Boca Grande, FL this past February. Thank you for sharing this great inspiration with the world. We appreciate you, Writers & llustrators of the Future!

[@WritersoftheFuture]

You are welcome, Sara. I only wish you were our awards event last Friday night to help present this.

[@michaeljamesannis1751]

❤

[@bajaborracho9139]

Wow frazetta is a genius but he makes it sound so simple

[@jackallread]

I didn’t know he was a judge! That’s awesome! I knew him from the covers of the original Conan novels from the 70s! Not the so-called Conan books from today… yes, I’m biased! Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@WritersoftheFuture]

You are welcome!

[@sirjeffers8547]

Truly a grand master of the canvas such as Bob Ross. Men that where indeed larger then life god rest them both. Rip Frank Frazetta gone but far from forgotten. for all the right ways. Stay gold kings.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Thank you!

[@sirjeffers8547]

@@WritersoftheFuture Thank me? Such artists and cultural icons must be stored and remembered for generations and generations to come. I am merely an observer of how truly magnificent this man was. As well you to which thy would seek to protect his legacy by showing clips of him explaining his life's work. So no no Thank you as well as the people that still are within his bloodline and those who previously where bless them, bless you, and bless those people that would go on to recognize his mastery.

[@danaaxelson6200]

Great video. Frazetta was no doubt a master painter. His works should be considered a master of 20th century art and be studied at collegiate level art classes. He is brilliant and a genius. His technique is flawless.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Well said!

[@KennyGsca]

I whole heartedly wished that this video would never end. Thank you so much for posting it.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

I must agree with you there!

[@counterstrike89]

Totally agree, amazing to hear him talk so freely and expressive, he really knew what he was doing, far more perceptive than people I think realize.

[@ApocalypticDreams666]

Frazetta is an art GOD and has been an inspiration for me for the last 3 decades!!!!!!!!

[@WritersoftheFuture]

That is great and I hope you enjoyed this video interview with him.

[@ApocalypticDreams666]

@@WritersoftheFuture Better believe I did. Don't think I've ever seen an interview with him until this one.

[@efrainpalermo]

He made the Conan series book covers so good that it was disappointing when Schwarzenegger played the part, and could not live up to Frazetta's illustration of that hero.

[@Polyphemus47]

Yes!

[@andrewc2024]

What an awesome summation. Frank's zig-zag composition, I think that's what caught me about Mike Mignola's work: they say art's a conversation, I love that it's ongoing. Hats off to Frank.

[@scandisamurai8899]

The absolute best 🙇‍♂ His art was one of the top 3 blessings that got me through my very difficult childhood 🙏 A true master whom I will never, ever forget ❤

[@UToobUsername01]

My fave artist. When I think about Fantasy artwork an image of Conan painted by Frank Frazetta comes to my brain immediately.

[@phillblake6829]

He definitely had a part to play in my appreciation of the curvature of female forms as a boy.

[@coldstreamcybernaut2845]

“There were shapes that had a natural appeal to the eye…shapes that are somehow eye catching even at a great distance no matter what color they were.” Glances up at topless warrior...

[@stevenswm9844]

For those entering here who wouldn't necessarily bother, I suggest CLICKING the 'Show more' in the description. If you're a huge Frazetta fan like myself, then you probably already know all about him...but still it's worth the read. 🙂🎨

[@jasonsantos3037]

This man is a legend of fantasy/science fraction art.

[@michaelkeropian2954]

The Brooklyn Academy of the Fine Arts was a fine arts school though short lived. Closed in 1945.

[@freddynorris6927]

Hours well spent in visual amazement. Frazetta!

[@bradmorgan8932]

Been a fan of his art since high school. Watching this in-person interview ( the only I’ve found), I realize just how intelligent and sensitive he really was. Thank you for the upload.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

I think this is the only video of Frank. Plenty of audio interviews with photos and paintings.

[@JohnMartin-oh6bf]

It’s one thing to have talent..another to have imagination.Frazetta had both.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

That is an absolute fact!

[@SpencerMusic880]

I remember the excitement of getting one of his books and trying to redraw everything from cover to cover.

[@steveferris7930]

This is a wonderful snippet of the Master who changed the world of Sci-Fi and Fantasy art and became more than a legend, he became a National Treasure!

[@WritersoftheFuture]

It was an incredible find. He was an incredible man and artist!

[@brianleblancart736]

This feels to me, like him saying what needed to be heard. At the right time in my career. I'm grateful for you sharing it.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

You're welcome, Brian!

[@siamakaghazeinali]

man you were great ! when i was young i saw your painting book . Many psychological points were hidden in them. I did not know the name of the painter at that time. Later, when the Internet came, I found pictures of his paintings and downloaded them to my computer. His paintings show a mixture of fear, beauty, pride, lust and distress.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

He was a master!

[@ilmarinen79]

Wow. He compressed so much into 7 minutes here. Or was it editing (?). His character seems on par with the art. Such a delight! People rarely have the guts to speak like this, and you can see it comes from the heart. He was indeed, the king!

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Thanks. While there was some editing, you can see that Frank was very eloquent in his speaking.

[@alexandredesouza3692]

This man's a hero!

[@lylewyant3356]

WOW! I've known of his work obviously but this the first interview I have seen of him...

[@edizkan_]

This video is a treasure.

[@mvinity216]

The genius himself, my hero ❤

[@pelecyphora1]

Wish I hadmore of his cards. Ken Kelly is cool too.

[@at8630]

This is the only interview with him I can find. Where are any others? This was great and left me wanting for more.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

As far as I know this is the only video interview. There are other audio interviews that had his paintings added to create videos.

[@secretshaman189]

Wonderful interview thank-you. I agree with everything he has stated.

[@rammannawar1626]

Frank is great so much detail, and his work. When I went to the art institute, I copied his piece, the barbarian he works in oils which I don’t have the knowledge of so I used gouache paint for the background and oil pencils for the barbarian. I got an A plus, Frank is awesome such detail.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Very cool!

[@crazyj3133]

Yes My Master

[@trotterhorsewatsonjr.6668]

This is the first time that I have heard his voice! It fits his persona!

[@damiengonzales6537]

Love Mr. Frazetta!

[@trotterhorsewatsonjr.6668]

WOW what an interesting interview! No pretension what so ever in his voice honest and to the point without a slew of pontificating!

[@yupicatalano137]

Amazing artist, big Frank! Master

[@zachampofo4945]

This is pure artist gold

[@JacksonTaylorandTheSinners]

The GOAT.

[@patkelley8293]

My favorite artist growing up. Images that leaped off the page at you. Really set the stage for the fantasy culture and video games that brought his World's to life.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

I really like the way he describes his style of painting in the video interview.

[@TheWeredude]

This made my morning

[@jamesstrom6991]

Pretty decent artist. Fantastic imaginist.

[@ProdByGhost]

omg this is so rare !! amazing to hear him speak about art

[@charliesierra6919]

Pure gold from the Master.

[@creamcookies8022]

Thanks a lot for posting this❤️🙏

[@WritersoftheFuture]

My pleasure 😊

[@rickytimmons5294]

All hail The King!

[@user-hb2il9ju7w]

We will never see his like again. :*(

[@WritersoftheFuture]

While I appreciate your admiration for him, I certainly hope there will be another spring up at some point. There have been multiple art geniuses throughout the ages.

[@jaykay6408]

Thanks for sharing!

[@WritersoftheFuture]

You bet!

[@teetoo3790]

Love this. Just subscribed.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Yay! Thank you!

[@leetroywaller]

What an iconic artist. Legendary one of my favorite. The God father of Fantasy art.

[@thebrownlizard3988]

goodbye master of fantasy art, thanks for all those beautiful images that will be forever in our heads and memories, a true master of fantasy painting, his pictures always have those enigmatic feeling and movements and depth like no other, he truely painted from the depth of his thoughts, my dad has his book and i always watched it when i was a kid i was facinated by his art work !!!!never have i seen such simplistic genuis master peices soem of those painting are embded in my head ,, a master of his own kind

[@user-to4mw4vp6u]

Great and great! 👍👍

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Hejirah]

Absolutely mind blowing artist and a person. I have so much admiration for him I think it makes me cry almost.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

He was a brilliant artist and it is great that people like you are keeping his brilliance alive.

[@crossfitsilverback942]

Awesome seven minutes!

[@michaelsmith3657]

Excellent!

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Glad you liked it!

[@christineshotton824]

Without question, the best artist of the second half of the twentieth century.

[@jojojo3521]

What a gross exaggeration.

[@christineshotton824]

@@jojojo3521 Name a better one.

[@makina2022]

this is a good example of soul.

[@emmanuelrichard3064]

🎉si happy to listen him..

[@anthonymacdonald9249]

Wow . This is GOLD. Thank you! I have been an admirer of his art for many years but really knew very little about the man behind it. This short interview speaks volumes.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CousinPaddy]

An unrivaled master.

[@Practical-Fun]

Really interesting interview. Thank you.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@russg13]

Fascinating... so great to see him.

[@JohnLowell-xs8ro]

Many years ago while looking for something to read. I picked up a book with a Frank Frazetta illustration on it. I was mesmerized but was saddened when I opened the book to find only print.

[@shamusteakiawa]

His statement from 6:45 onwards is so cool

[@Apple2-ux8uo]

He was also a master story teller in the image.

[@bluefish4999]

Be original not perfect, so true, when I let go worrying about making things perfect or fear of screwing it up I was able to move my art forward, I'm by no means a master like Frazetta but I'm doing my own thing and feeling pretty good about it, and selling most of it too at the moment.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

That's great!

[@lethanief]

master forever

[@edwardrosenfield7282]

Beautiful and perfect. This man was a total master.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

A total master! I visited his home in Boca Grande several weeks ago for the opening of the museum. Over 30 pieces of original art. Truly amazing!

[@timmy1071]

That seemed like far more than 7 minutes of information. Great advice from a master!

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TiredOldSparky]

A true genius with colors..

[@HecmarJayam]

There is so much to read in what he is saying and the way he expresses it. And there is so much power, intellect and character in those eyes. Thank you so much for sharing this video.

[@WritersoftheFuture]

You are welcome, Hecmar!

[@starwolf3020]

If you follow his thought process, you'll hear he's describe his process after the fact , the process is doing it ,then think about latter, that comes a combination vivid imagination and long experience

[@goldschool9050]

Imagine having a conversation with this man?

[@williambo5989]

this interview he talks about a previous life of how he was able to draw things he had no knowledge of. same thing of what Socrates says that we don't learn anything we recollect it somehow and he proves it in one of his lectures to a boy who has no knowledge of math and was able to solve a problem.

[@stever6606]

Thanks for posting this. Frank is the master. ❤

[@WritersoftheFuture]

Couldn't agree more!