Don't Call It a Doodle
An Introduction to Remarques
The term “remarque” is often used to describe a small original sketch done by the artist on a print or in a book. Details can vary, from size to the media utilized to the originality of concept, all of which are at the discretion of the artist.
Many artists have a quick remarque, something they can execute efficiently at a signing or convention. The KA symbol and the Eye of the Crimson King that Michael created for The Dark Tower would fall into this category.
Remarques are typically executed in pencil or pen and ink, but Michael has been known to take a painterly approach with the KA symbol on the rare occasion we offer those on prints in our shop. The creativity and variation he offers even in his simplest sketches is a mark of his artistic drive, which is why we never call them doodles (cue the Boromir meme).
More often Michael taps a deep well of imagination to bring a scene to life in the margins of a print, taking the opportunity to revisit fan favorites like Elric of Melniboné.
Journey Before Destination, Process Before Execution
What is most unique about Michael’s approach to book remarques is that it mirrors his illustration process.
To me this is most apparent in a scene from The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson that became his first remarque in a Stormlight Archive book. Kaladin defeats a Shardbearer while wielding only a spear—it’s an iconic scene worthy of a cover interpretation!
The process is more thoughtful than most imagine as Michael takes a few days to sketch out ideas and scenes before executing the drawing in the book. For this scene, he reached out to the author to make sure Kaladin’s wardrobe was text accurate at this point in the story.
For an artist who has said he has too many ideas to paint in his lifetime, remarques offer an outlet to explore otherwise untapped concepts.
Limited Editions Art Books
By far, the easiest—and most affordable—way to obtain a Michael Whelan original over the years was in the Limited Edition of The Art of Michael Whelan. In addition to hand-tinting the limitation leafs, Michael sketched in each copy that we sold through our shop, imbuing every book he touched with magic.
A vast majority of the remarques we’ve shared through the years were from this limited edition (see remarque galleries One and Two on the website).
The LE a gorgeous book with care lavished on every detail, from the white dust jacket featuring WING to the slipcase with debossed lettering and a window to display a detail from THE LAST HILL. The edition was limited to only 500 copies, which sold out years ago.
Michael often sketched on the opening page of his artist profile, right next to his favorite G.K. Chesterton quote, but some remarques snuck into the margins of other pages from time to time.
The Gunslinger and Other Rare Books
Among the most sought after books for remarques have been rare editions of The Gunslinger by Stephen King, which are legendary tomes among collectors for which Michael famously illustrated the cover as well as the interiors.
He has also worked on other King related projects that included remarques, most notably Knowing Darkness: Artists Inspired by Stephen King edited by George Beahm and published by Centipede Press.
Arguably the art included with the traycase editions weren’t true remarques as the papers were to be tipped into the book—something discussed in a post back in October. The washes on watercolor paper caused some confusion over the years as color is exceedingly rare in Michael’s remarques.
Why is that? Books are printed on paper that soaks up paint. Not to mention the value of these books makes even basic handling a stressful endeavor.
Another book that Michael has consistently sketched in for years is the Archival Press limited edition of The Vanishing Tower by Michael Moorcock. Michael illustrated the frontispiece, which was simultaneously presented on the cover of the slipcase, along with 12 full-page black and white interior illustrations.
An often overlooked factor in remarques is the availability of a blank page in the book that is accessible to the artist to work on over long periods of time. There are some books without a suitable title page, The Little Sisters of Eluria for example. It’s simply more difficult to work on the left because of how much the book shifts.
Share Your Art and Story?
If you’d like to share a remarque you have, we always love seeing them as well as hearing the stories of what they mean to you. Please feel free to tag us on the social media of your choice or share via Substack chat. To share privately, you can also simply reply to this email.
Weekly Art Recap
A Fighting Man of Mars - cover illustration for Edgar Rice Burroughs
Pathless - a reminder to paint for beauty’s sake (and themes will follow)
Diadem from the Stars - cover illustration for Jo Clayton
Enlightenment - the largest painting from the Portals series
The Peregrine - cover illustration for Grand Master Poul Anderson
Lore of the Witch World - cover illustration for Andre Norton, the first female Grand Master of Science Fiction
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How I would pay to be a dragonrider in a remarque
Tres Bien! Yet another reason why MW is both unique, and manifique!