The blog has had the opportunity to interview Michael Gillette. Michael is the artist behind the 2008 Ian Fleming James Bond book series covers. The books are really hard to find these days but the magnificent covers can be bought as art prints on Michaels website.
Michael is selling the artworks and is currently offering all blog readers a 10% discount if using the discount code "007". This discount offer expires on Sunday the 7th of October 2018.
Let the interview begin shall we!
1. Tell us about your career prior to your work on the Ian Fleming novels.
I’d been working for about 15 years at that point, time goes quickly! I started out doing work for the music industry in London.
I did videos and sleeve work for Elastica and Saint Etienne, and made illustrations for music magazines. I painted a lot in acrylic.
In 2001 I moved to San Francisco, and worked more digitally. I carried on working for all manner of clients, the Beastie Boys, Levi’s…
I have a retrospective book “Drawn in Stereo” the story unfolds there!
2. How did you land the Ian Fleming job, How were you contacted?
I was contacted by a friend I’d known in London who was a book designer for Penguin. Jon Gray. He uses the name Gray318 for his work.
He said he had a project that was “Bond like” and would I like to do a test? I said yes, and pretty soon after, he told me it was actually for Bond!
Then I went on holiday for a couple of weeks and came home to find the test had been approved and I got the job.
3. Was there a long discussion on how they should look like before you actually made them. Did the Ian Fleming estate have many suggestions?
3. Was there a long discussion on how they should look like before you actually made them. Did the Ian Fleming estate have many suggestions?
Not really, the idea of the titles on the backs of Bond Girls was floated from the beginning. Jon asked if I could do the type.
I suggested that all the girls should be different colours. The Fleming estate would occasionally make contact if one of the girls was not matching the description in the book.
They were pretty easy to work with. I was told that the nudity should be tasteful, no nipples! I agreed with all the directions I was given.
![]() |
Original thumbnail for Goldfinger, preparatory sketch, finished art. (C) Michael Gillette. |
4. What materials have you used to create your drawings.
I drew them in watercolour pencil, and watercolour paint. I then tinted them digitally in Photoshop. I had to make sure that I balanced the whole rainbow spectrum, so I needed the flexibility to change the colours as I went along.

5. Is there any of the drawings you like the most?
I really like Moonraker, but I’m happy with them as a set, I think they came out well and flowed pretty easily.
6. Is the Fleming covers your biggest success to date?
They certainly have held up. At the time I thought it was just another job, albeit a good one, which I was very happy to do.
When they came out, in 2008, I started getting a lot of attention. Initially some negative, from diehard Bond fans who have very strong ideas how things 007 should be.
Then I got a flood of positive feedback from the design world. Over time I got to understand the Bond world, and that I’d been incredibly lucky to have become involved with a very powerful franchise.
James Bond is an amazing folk hero, an archetype of British goodness in the face of evil. I’m very blessed, in my own small way, to have been part of his world.
Obviously this world is much bigger than anything else I’ve been involved with! I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to be associated with it. I’ve found the community really wonderful.
When I started making the prints, my relationship with the Fleming estate grew. They have been very supportive and I value them greatly. I am 1000% grateful.
7. There seems to be two different covers for On her majesty’s secret service, why is that?
7. There seems to be two different covers for On her majesty’s secret service, why is that?
I felt that the first one lacked a little sexiness! As the woman who marries Bond, I thought she should be more special. Overtime I’ve come to appreciate the first version, and I like it more.I also redid Thunderball. The first version printed a sickly grey/ green. The second version was much better I think.
8. In Germany you also did the covers for the John Gardner novels. Did you land that job the same way?
The publisher contacted my agent, I redid the type of the Fleming covers in German, then did the Gardener covers.
9. Do you have a favourite among those cover as well?
I like the ICEBREAKER cover. As a set they are more pulpy.
I wanted to do something different, but as they are girls too, they are not far enough away from originals.
For a long time I‘ve been thinking of how to approach making another set of Fleming covers. I get asked all the time when I’m going to make more.
It is quite a difficult challenge, as one has to bring something new to the table, whilst honouring the incredible history of Bond.
Recently the covers have all been type based. A couple of months ago I had an idea for a style that might work, and pretty soon I’d made covers for all of the set.
They are very different from the girls. They are punchy and graphic and I made them all digitally. They look really iconic and I think they work very well....
![]() |
Original German drawings of Icebreaker (left) and Brokenclaw (right) (C)Michael Gillette |
10. Can any of your original drawings be bought?
I sold a couple of the Gardner paintings earlier this year, The Fleming paintings- not at the moment, but I’ll let you know! I have a full set of the hardback books which I think I ‘m going to sign and sell on eBay soon.
11. I have seen your dogs compilation what more do you have in your pipeline.
11. I have seen your dogs compilation what more do you have in your pipeline.
Ah the dogs! I have some other exhibition work in the pipeline, there’s always something going on, and I’m excited to see what arises next.
If you haven't yet visit Michaels website, here is the address once again www.michaelgillette.com
![]() |
Michael Gillette working on his secret James Bond drawings hoped to be reviled soon. |
Keuntungan besar dalam permainan judi online tidak selalu harus dilakukan dengan modal besar, tetapi Anda juga masih bisa mendapatkan keuntungan besar dari modal sederhana tetapi dengan permainan besar, ini berarti situs judi online terbaik harus tersedia kapan saja. situs dominoqq online
ReplyDeleteDAFTAR JUGA DISITUS RESMI KAMI YANG ONLINE 24 JAM. DENGAN PELAYANAN RAMAH DAN FAST RESPONSE. SITUS YANG BISA KALIAN PERCAYAI HINGGA BONUS-BONUS MENARIK.
ReplyDeleteBONUS YANG KAMI SEDIAKAN DISITUS LIONDOMINO :
* BONUS ROLLINGAN / BONUS TURNOVER 0.3% - 0.5% SETIAP PEMBAGIAN HARI KAMIS
* BONUS REFFERAL 10%
* BONUS JACKPOT YANG KALIAN DAPATKAN DENGAN MUDAH
* BONUS NEW MEMBER HINGGA 200.000
* BONUS HARIAN MEMBER HINGGA 500.000
* HINGGA BONUS EVENT YANG KAMI SEDIAKAN DI HARI BESAR
LINK UNTUK PENDAFTARAN :
AGEN IDNPLAY TERPERCAYA
LEGIT DISPENSARY SHIPPING TOP DISCRETE WhatsApp: +14154846196(https://420budmall.com/)
ReplyDeleteAre you depressed, suffering from cancer, glaucoma,
headache, insomnia, joint pains, multiple sclerosis, muscle cramps, nausea,
etc, and need the best strains of medical marijuana and cannabis products to help ease your pain ?? You have reached the perfect destination with quality herbs that guarantee a good and healthy life.
Buy carts online, Dispensary weed, Buy marijuana online, Order weed online, weed for sale, when you buy from 420budmall dispensary we do top discreet shipping and delivery to your address. Buy medical Marijuana Online. Buy thc products online, buy carts online. Buy wax shatter edibles, live resin, cbd oil etc
Buy weed online cheap, Buy cannabis products online, Buy marijuana online weed shop, marijuana buds the flower is usually consumed by smoking or vaporizing you can buy marijuana flowers in pounds from our weed store @ 420budmall.com. We have exotic weed strains like the Runtz strain, Biscotti, LA pack boys, and many orders. Skunk weed for sale Buying weed online cheap has never been this easy with the help of 420budmall.com Weed shop, You can purchase marijuana flower buds Today. The marijuana industry has always revolved around deals, even when it was only in the black market realm. Marijuana for sale online cheap, Get the strongest marijuana products on sale at 420budmall.com marijuana online shopping for less, the highest quantity weed for the least money with the high level of competition in the cannabis market.
Our marijuana dispensary is mainly focused to serve the world with the best quality marijuana and expand even further with new states starting medical and recreational programs as we will in no doubt create opportunities for everyone to be able to purchase weed online. Legit Online weed shop worldwide delivery - Marijuana for sale online cheap - Buy real kush online cheap -Purchase real weed online UK - Order real marijuana online Canada - Marijuana for sale - Marijuana dispensary shipping worldwide - Buy weed Online cheap - Legit weed dispensary shop in the USA, cheap weed online shop. Skunk weed for sale Mail order weed online UK Marijuana Dispensary USA deliveries, we deliver Mail Order marijuana products across UK, Ireland, EU, and worldwide. We offer a marijuana discreet shipping USA without being discovered. UK Mail Order Marijuana.
Buy Weed Online USA and Enjoy our vast selection of craft cannabis flowers, edibles, and concentrates from the comfort of your own home! Our goal is to provide our clients with the most secure, reliable, and safe experience when you buy weed online cheap or mail order weed online with the fastest deliveries, Skunk weed for sale Skunk weed for sale also known as AAA weed, buy skunk weed online today and have it delivered at your doorstep. top-shelf exotic weed for. Buy real weed from 420budmall.com if you want to buy some weed or how to order weed, how to order weed online, AAA weed for sale online, kali weed, Skunk weed UK, buy hash online USA, how to get free, buy AAA weed or the best quality, UK Cali, UK Cali, cannabis UK, Cali apparel UK, buy green crack online, are there girl scout cookies in England, Cali UK, is weed legal in England, buy cannabis edibles UK, is weed legal in Scotland, Buy Cannabis Products Online, buy sour diesel online, tko carts, death star og, is cheap weed ca legit cookies carts, death star og, 420 bud
WhatsApp: +14154846193
Email: Watsonmuld@gmail.com
Website: https://420budmall.com/
Telegram Channel: https://t.me/joinchat/tr3QkdGPjM5hZTQx