Red Sonja color illo by Ernie Chan

Love Ernie's late '70s color pin-ups, and this is no exception!~

what a stunning example of his work!

Pure talent and all Ernie, beauty of a Red Sonja piece and a lesson in patience for us ancy collectors (sometimes!) - congrats :)

'76 - '80 were some prime years for these Chan color commissions.  But he was so local that many took him for ganted when he appeared at conventions through the 90's.  I like the golden tint and patina on her "armor". 

Guilty as charged.  If I kicked myself for every time I just walked past his table at a show, I'd be too sore to sit.  Never have the words "taken for granted" stung so much for me.

Can you support the living artists from the Phillipines?  There's Yu, Manapul, Amor, etc.  

I totally get where you're coming from Marcus.  I know you're a big supporter of Jiggy's crew and I think that's great.  For me, it's primarily a generational thing.  The familiarity of those names from when I was reading and collecting comics also means that there's a stronger personal connection for all the guys from that era.  On a lesser note, there's also the international issue.  I've never been big on doing international art deals, as I've probably only done it less than a handful of times in the 40 years I've been collecting.  I know that's a wimpy excuse, but it is what it is.  By the way, I should point out that both Francis Manapul (who is actually based in Canada) and Lenil Yu's work is available through Kwan here in the U.S.  So at some point I do expect to add examples by these two great talents.

Ernie's pinups from this era are always stunning, and this is no exception - just a great piece! I am surprised more artists weren't doing these back then. Congrats!

Commissions were a new thing like fandom.  The retired golden age guys got big money for them, but very few working artists would do them because the money wasn't as good and the published art was plentiful.  $5-$15 a published page and you're also competing against yourself.  

A wonderful piece. Great pose. I love the colour highlights on her hair. It's just so nicely done.

Thank you Paul.  But while I truly appreciate your post, every time I read a comment like yours, it makes me even angrier at myself for not fully realizing how incredibly talented all these Filipino artists were in their heyday.  Yes, back then I was probably distracted by the likes of superstars like Byrne, Perez, and Miller.  But that's just not a good enough excuse to dismiss or ignore the talents of these under appreciated legends.  I wish so much that they could have been made to feel as special and as adored as those big name guys.  They all certainly deserved it.

Warrior Red is looking good!

Great example of Ernie's work. Can not beat these pieces he created for fans in the late 1970s. Agree with you that Chan does not receive enough credit. A real talent. 

Thanks for sharing this with us!

fantastic color Chan piece! I also have a soft spot for 80s Filipino fantasy artists. ;D

Very nice indeed.

(Though I must confess, on the subject of Filipino artists, that I much prefer the elegant fluider line of an Alex Nino or Rudy Nebres).

As regards your comment on raising prices for that kind of material, all that Conan-ish stuff is extremely popular in Europe as well as I'm sure you know ;)

That's so beautiful, as she is!

Great write-up, Eric, and your patience has absolutely paid off.  Just as you say, a great example of him as illustrator, plus a beautiful color piece, PLUS a Red Sonja color piece...  The hunt was worth it!  I also love unpublished sketches because they offer the collector an opportunity to get an example of an artist's "work signature" on a piece that isn't a cover. :)  A really sweet example, Eric!  Congrats!

I was a youngster when I got Ernie to paint a piece for me of Conan. I could hardly believe he could paint at the show while I watched. It is still hanging on the wall many years later. Great example of Red Sonja, congrats.