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Cool and Collected

Collecting pop culture toys, comics, and collectibles collections

June 23, 2011 By 19 Comments

“Cowboys and Aliens” movie poster concept

With all the criticism I have heaped on to new movie posters lately, I thought it was time to put up or shut up. I’m a graphic designer by day, and my dream job would be to art direct Hollywood movie posters. It’s so frustrating to see all the cookie-cutter posters that have been coming out lately. Remember what it was like seeing posters by the likes of Drew Struzan and Richard Amsel hanging in the theaters? Let’s ditch Photoshop montages for a while and break out those paints again.

I can not wait to see Jon Favreau’s Cowboys and Aliens this summer. I’ve had this idea in my head that a poster done in the style of the old Republic Serials from the 50’s would be a perfect fit. Here is an example…

Ghost of Zorro movie poster

and…

Sundown in Santa Fe movie poster

So, I assembled a mockup using the available source photos and screen grabs from the trailers, and here’s the concept I came up with…

cowboys and aliens concept

Unfortunately, it’s been about 18 years since I tried my hand at painting and I only got this far before flinging the Wacom tablet on the floor…

cowboys and aliens movie poster painting rough

There are people out there with more artistic ability in their pinky toe than I have in my whole body, so here is my plea to the Internet: Please paint this poster for me. You will gain internet fame and my undying loyalty, but all I ask is that you put my name on there as a collaborator. 🙂

UPDATE:

I really did try, but I just can’t get my fingers to convey what is in my head. Painting is out for me, so I did a pencil drawing and added colors with Photoshop. Here’s a mockup that gets a little closer to the style. Come on, Internet, are there no artists out there who want to take this on?

cowboys and aliens poster by brian adams

Filed Under: Other

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. IAreGeek says

    June 17, 2011 at 9:54 am

    Don’t give up! It’s looking really cool already and I’d give you, or anyone that does this poster in this style, any amount of money they ask for.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 17, 2011 at 9:59 am

      Thanks for the encouragement Jeremy. I just wish my hands could convey the image I have in my head. 😉

      Reply
      • IAreGeek says

        June 17, 2011 at 10:10 am

        Trust me, I know your pain. My hand/eye coordination is just fine when it comes to video games. My hand/brain coordination, not so much. 😉

        Reply
  2. Paxton Holley says

    June 17, 2011 at 10:22 am

    Man, that mockup is awesome, Brian. I understand your frustration, but nice going on what you did accomplish.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 17, 2011 at 2:29 pm

      Thanks, Paxton. Maybe once my frustration ebbs a bit I’ll give it another go. I really did know how to paint once. Maybe I need to get off the computer myself and break out the watercolors.

      Reply
  3. Frank says

    June 17, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    You’ve done a great job!!!! I’ve worked in the film business for a few years (nothing glamorous) and totally agree with the cookie cutter posters. I would absolutely love to a poster done in the style of the old 50’s serials.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 17, 2011 at 2:28 pm

      Thanks a lot Frank!I’m a huge fan of Republic Serials posters, especially the Westerns, and this just seemed like a perfect fit.

      Reply
  4. Matt says

    June 17, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Love what you are going for here.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 17, 2011 at 5:01 pm

      Thanks Matt. I bet you could do a great job on this (hint, hint).

      Reply
  5. PJ says

    June 17, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    Dude, you’re SO CLOSE!! Keep going, it’s inspired work, for sure, Brian; Can’t wait to see the final product!

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 17, 2011 at 5:02 pm

      Yeah, I can’t wait to see it either. 😉

      Reply
  6. Will Rochfort says

    June 18, 2011 at 7:58 am

    I share your enthusiasm for the posters of old! I love Drew Struzans work…I’m an artist working in England and the old Movie posters are a huge inspiration for me. I love where your going with this cowboys and aliens poster – Its inspired me. Perhaps one day we could work together! Are You on twitter?

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 18, 2011 at 11:15 am

      Will, I checked out your site and love your work, very impressive! You’d be a great fit for this poster. Take a shot with it, gain instant fame and adoration! 😉

      I’m on Twitter: http://twitter.com/cool_collected, so give me a follow and I’ll do the same.

      Reply
  7. Christopher Noon says

    June 24, 2011 at 4:24 am

    Looks great! (even if there are no ninjas).

    Reply
    • Brian says

      June 24, 2011 at 9:10 am

      Aw man, I can’t believe I forgot the ninjas! 😉

      Reply
      • Christopher Noon says

        June 24, 2011 at 3:06 pm

        Oh, I’m sure they’re there. You just can’t see them!

        Reply
  8. DanEastSide says

    July 7, 2011 at 8:31 pm

    nice work on the poster, interested in selling it?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Unused Drew Struzan Cowboys & Aliens Poster - Wanna see the alien? says:
    June 17, 2011 at 11:02 am

    […] Also, if any of you happen to be a Graphic Artist, head over to Cool And Collected and make this Cowboys & Aliens poster a […]

    Reply
  2. New Cowboys & Aliens One-Sheet MORE LENS FLARES! says:
    June 22, 2011 at 9:00 am

    […] Cowboys & Aliens old Republic Serials 50′s style poster that Brian is working on over at Cool & Collected. What? You don’t want to see it? Well, Jon Faveau likes […]

    Reply

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