Messages from Crom

The Art of Robert E. Howard:
Peter Andrew Jones

By Bill Thom

This is the third in a series of articles that provides a showcase for the many fine artists that have illustrated the works of Robert E. Howard over the years. 
Earlier articles can be found at the links below.
1. Michael William Kaluta
2. Virgil Finlay

Peter Andrew Jones

Peter Andrew Jones is a British artist born in Islington, North London in 1951. He is the son of the late Reginald and Catherine Jones.

Peter showed interest in the visual arts from a very early age. At school he continued to pursue his interest in art and won school prizes for his work. During his last years at school, he met Robert Spearman, a talented artist in his own right, who encouraged his interest in art. As a result, Peter attended the St. Martin's School of Art (now Central St. Martins) in London from 1971 to 1974. He graduated in 1974 with an honors degree. Robert Spearman had taught Peter at adult evening institute life drawing classes as a condition of pre-art school tuition, and he also taught Peter the basics of classical painting and drawing.

In 1973, a college friend, David Case was reading a Panther Books paperback edition of science fiction author EE "Doc" Smith's "Triplanetary". David suggested the book to Peter who subsequently purchased a copy. His interest in science fiction grew. During a session with his tutor, visiting lecturer and illustrator Fritz Wagner, Wagner suggested that Peter consider painting things that don't actually exist, as in science fiction stories, because of Peter’s “highly developed skill of rendering realistic imagery.”

Another visiting lecturer, Gerry Downes, impressed by Peter’s ability to render realistic images, suggested a meeting with Doreen Scott, Art Editor at Puffin Books. Following a preliminary trial piece for Scott, Peter produced his first commercial science fiction work for Puffin Books, the cover art for Penelope Farmer's “A Castle of Bone.”

Jones commenced several decades of producing cover art for science fiction and fantasy publications. He has provided book covers for science fiction and fantasy authors including Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Greg Bear, Larry Niven, Philip K. Dick, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Murray Leinster, Thomas Burnett Swann, A. E. van Vogt, Frank Herbert, Tanith Lee, Piers Anthony, E. E. “Doc” Smith and many more. 

Jones' first three Robert E. Howard covers were published for Orbit in 1977.  A fourth REH cover followed in 1978 for Panther.  He also provided a cover for an anthology featuring REH that was published by Star in 1977. This work is somewhat reminiscent of American artist Jeff Jones, but has its own distinct style.

In 1980 an anthology of Jones science fiction art entitled SOLAR WIND was published by Dragon’s World.

Jones has also produced images for film publicity, creating the movie posters for The Sword and The Sorcerer and Alligator and has worked for the Fighting Fantasy game books originated by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone in the 1980s.

During the 1990s, Jones pursued his interest in aviation-related art, becoming involved with the RAF Benevolent Fund, and a number of World War II pilots.

Jones' current work includes ongoing genre and wildlife illustration, the production of handmade and self-published books, cards and prints, and occasional private commissions

Peter Andrew Jones/Robert E. Howard Checklist (Initial appearances only)

Orbit

Three-Bladed Doom (1977)

Son of the White Wolf (1977)

Robert E. Howard Omnibus (1977)

Panther

The Dark Man Omnibus Volume 1 (November 1978)

Star Books

Weird Legacies (1977) [Anthology featuring REH]

References:

Solar Wind

PeterAndrewJones.net

All art copyright Peter Andrew Jones and the respective owners.

Three-Bladed Doom (1977)

Son of the White Wolf (1977)

Robert E. Howard Omnibus (1977)

The Dark Man Omnibus Volume 1 (November 1978)

Weird Legacies (1977)