I was aware of Nick Cardy’s name before, but never really looked too hard at his work. That feels like a mistake right now, as I look over just a few images from his collected wartime sketches, beautiful inks, pencils and watercolour works that have such a beautifully relaxed style, yet never really flinch from the truth.
The book is out from Titan Books on 22nd February.
“Before beginning his career in comics, Nick was one of the young Americans shipped overseas to fight in World War II. He proceeded to do what he did best – carry a sketchbook and document his time in the conflict from beginning to end. From his basic training in the US, Cardy was deployed with the 3rd Armored ‘Spearhead’ Division, and fought through Europe (receiving two Purple Hearts on the way), ending up in Paris after VE Day. His sketches – in pencil, pen and watercolor – are extraordinarily vivid, and capture not only the humor and camaraderie, but also the horror of war.
Nick Cardy: The Artist At War presents the entire contents of Cardy’s wartime sketchbook, alongside his own commentary. It’s a chronicle of one man’s journey, but one that speaks for millions.”
Copyright © 2011 Nick Cardy. All art is © and TM 2011 Nick Cardy.
I could show you so much more, but that’s something you’ll need the book for. In the meantime, here’s a blowup of a little section of that last sketch, just to show you how simple and flowing Cardy made his work, how deceptive it is….
Mon, Feb 11, 2013
Art and animation, Comics and cartoons