Artists you Should Know – Chris Foss

“Artists you Should Know” is a series of blogs that originally appeared on my Tumblr blog. I am reposting and continuing them here partly because I am transitioning away from Tumblr, and want to do more with this kind of content in the future. #artistsyoushouldknow

Chris Foss

If you’ve seen the Marvel Movie Thor Ragnarok you will notice homages to many 80′s styles and tropes. Not over blown like other movies, but certainly subtle enough to make it seem organic. Thor Ragnarok’s production design of the planet Sakar, for example, is obviously heavily influenced by Chris Foss.

Boasting highly colorful ships in boxy, asymmetrical design, Chris Foss’ artwork was the definitive representation of 70′s and 80′s SciFi spaceship design. All spaceships designs in the sci fi movie era borrowed some elements from Chris Foss’ ideas. For example in the movie Alien the ore tug “Nostromo” resembles the type of industrial design mentioned previously, without the colorful decals of course. The other ship designer of note is Ralph McQuarrie of Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica fame. Chris Foss’ work is almost the polar opposite. Where McQuarrie designed ships that borrowed from existing atmospheric flying crafts with wings, Chris Foss spaceships flew in space and needed no such devices.

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Most of Chris’s spaceships come from the ill fated Jodorowsky’s Dune and show the influence of this industrial style. Checkers and patterned painted exteriors are uniquely Chris Foss. In Thor Ragnarok the Commodore (named after the Australian made car of the 70′s and 80′s) is another good example of his style. The set design reflects the same style.

If you’ve not seen Thor Ragnarok, you should.

There’s more about Chris foss here. You should see his painting techniques as well, using a mixture of airbrush and acrylics on board.

Chris Foss is an artist you should know, but you should also know that the author of this blog is also an artist. He is inspired by all kinds of creativity. Let him help you with your brand and business. Get in contact here. If you thought this was informative please consider buying me a book. Thanks.