Mark Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
Mark Wilkinson is best known for his detailed cover art that he created for a number of British bands, most prominently the progressive rock
band, Marillion
. Though versed in a number of techniques, he is considered to be a master of the airbrush.
was the cover of their debut 12" EP Market Square Heroes (1982). Subsequently, Wilkinson's art work would be used on all of Marillion
's albums and 12" releases through The Thieving Magpie (1988). When Fish
left the band Wilkinson went with him, providing the artwork for several of his 1990s albums and singles.
In 1997, he collaborated with Bill Smith Studios (which had replaced him as Marillion
's official art group) on the Best Of Both Worlds
compilation CD. The compilation included songs from the eras of the band with and without Fish, and the record label, EMI
, decided it should also include artwork reflective of both eras.
Although Wilkinson will likely always be most closely identified with Fish
and Marillion
(in a similar fashion to Roger Dean's association with Yes
or Paul Whitehead's
association with Genesis
) he has also done album cover and concert poster artwork for several other bands, including Iron Maiden
and Judas Priest
, as well as miscellaneous pieces for Bon Jovi
, Jimmy Page
, the Who
and Kylie Minogue
. Outside of the music community, he has also done numerous book covers, advertisements, comic art (including a 1993 Judge Anderson
episode in the Judge Dredd Megazine
) and commissioned pieces.
In 2000, Fish
and Wilkinson collaborated on a book, The Masque, which, in "back and forth" format, described the process by which the Marillion
and Fish
album covers were created.
Album covers include:
Marillion Albums
Fish Albums
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band, Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
. Though versed in a number of techniques, he is considered to be a master of the airbrush.
Biography
Wilkinson's first artistic creation for MarillionMarillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
was the cover of their debut 12" EP Market Square Heroes (1982). Subsequently, Wilkinson's art work would be used on all of Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
's albums and 12" releases through The Thieving Magpie (1988). When Fish
Fish (singer)
Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
left the band Wilkinson went with him, providing the artwork for several of his 1990s albums and singles.
In 1997, he collaborated with Bill Smith Studios (which had replaced him as Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
's official art group) on the Best Of Both Worlds
The Best of Both Worlds (Marillion album)
The Best of Both Worlds compilation album from the band Marillion. The songs come from both the Fish era and Steve Hogarth era of the band. This was put together by Lucy Jordache who was working for EMI at the time. This release came after the band were dropped from the EMI roster, and it was a...
compilation CD. The compilation included songs from the eras of the band with and without Fish, and the record label, EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, decided it should also include artwork reflective of both eras.
Although Wilkinson will likely always be most closely identified with Fish
Fish (singer)
Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
and Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
(in a similar fashion to Roger Dean's association with Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
or Paul Whitehead's
Paul Whitehead
Paul Whitehead is a painter and graphic artist known for his surrealistic album covers for artists on the Charisma Records label in the 1970s, such as Genesis and Van der Graaf Generator.-England: Liberty Records and Charisma Records:...
association with Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
) he has also done album cover and concert poster artwork for several other bands, including Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
and Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
, as well as miscellaneous pieces for Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
, Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
, the Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
and Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
. Outside of the music community, he has also done numerous book covers, advertisements, comic art (including a 1993 Judge Anderson
Judge Anderson
Judge Cassandra Anderson is a fictional character that started as a supporting player in the comic story Judge Dredd of 2000 AD and eventually rose in prominence and became the star of her own series, which is entitled Anderson: Psi-Division. It was created by writer John Wagner and artist Brian...
episode in the Judge Dredd Megazine
Judge Dredd Megazine
Judge Dredd: The Megazine is a monthly British comic magazine, launched in October 1990. It is a sister publication to 2000 AD. Its name is a play on words, formed from "magazine" and Dredd's locale Mega-City One.-Content:...
) and commissioned pieces.
In 2000, Fish
Fish (singer)
Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
and Wilkinson collaborated on a book, The Masque, which, in "back and forth" format, described the process by which the Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
and Fish
Fish (singer)
Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
album covers were created.
Album covers
Marillion Albums
- Script for a Jester's TearScript for a Jester's TearScript for a Jester's Tear is the first album by the neo-progressive rock band Marillion, released in 1983. It reached number seven on the UK album chart and stayed on the chart for 31 weeks, the second longest chart residency of a Marillion album....
- FugaziFugazi (album)Fugazi is the second studio album of the neo-progressive rock band Marillion. It was released in 1984 and was the first album with Ian Mosley on drums. It reached no. 5 on the UK album charts, stayed on the chart for a total of 20 weeks and contained the UK top 40 singles Punch And Judy and...
- Real to ReelReal to Reel (Marillion album)Real to Reel is Marillion's first live album, recorded at the Spectrum, Montreal, Canada, and De Montfort Hall, Leicester, England. In addition to two songs each from the first two albums, Script for a Jester's Tear and Fugazi, the original standard version contained two tracks not previously...
- Misplaced ChildhoodMisplaced ChildhoodMisplaced Childhood is the third studio album of the neo-progressive rock band Marillion. It was released in 1985 and has been their most commercially successful album, reaching number one in the and spending a total of 41 weeks on the chart, the longest chart residency of a Marillion album...
- Clutching at StrawsClutching at StrawsClutching at Straws is the fourth studio album by neo-progressive rock band Marillion, and is a concept album. Released in 1987, it was the last album with lead singer Fish who left the band in 1988...
- The Thieving MagpieThe Thieving Magpie (Album)The Thieving Magpie is a double live album by Marillion, named after the introductory piece of classical music the band used before coming on stage during the Clutching at Straws tour 1987-1988, the overture to Rossini's opera La gazza ladra, which translates as "The Thieving Magpie".The album was...
Fish Albums
- Vigil in a Wilderness of MirrorsVigil in a Wilderness of MirrorsVigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors was the first solo album that rock singer Fish released after he departed Marillion in 1988. Although the recordings for this album finished as early as June 1989, EMI Records decided to delay the release until early 1990, to avoid collision with Marillion's album...
- Internal ExileInternal ExileInternal Exile was Fish's second solo album after leaving Marillion in 1988. The album, released 28 October 1991, was inspired by the singer's past, his own personal problems and his troubled experiences with his previous record label EMI.The album's music reflects Fish's indulgence in the vast...
- SuitsSuits (album)Suits is the fourth solo album by former Marillion singer Fish, and his third studio album with original material...
- Sunsets on EmpireSunsets on EmpireSunsets on Empire is a studio album by Fish, the fourth with original material since he left Marillion in 1988. It was mostly written together with Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, who co-composed six of ten tracks on the original version and also produced the album...
- Raingods with ZipposRaingods with ZipposRaingods with Zippos is a 1999 Progressive rock album by ex-Marillion vocalist Fish. It was released on the Roadrunner record label, more well known for its heavy metal releases. Raingods with Zippos is often hailed one of Fish's greatest achievements along with his 1990 debut Vigil in a Wilderness...
- Fellini DaysFellini DaysFellini Days is Fish's seventh solo studio album since he left Marillion in 1988 and the first since Raingods with Zippos . Released on Fish's own label Chocolate Frog Records Company.-Track listing:Note: "Dick" is Fish's actual surname....
- Field of CrowsField of CrowsField of Crows is Fish's eighth solo studio album since he left Marillion in 1988 and the first since Fellini Days . Released on Fish's own label Chocolate Frog Records Company, retail distribution is now handled by Snapper Music....
- 13th Star13th Star13th Star is an album by Fish. Released as a limited edition via mail-order in September 2007 and to retail in February 2008, it is his ninth solo studio album since he left Marillion in 1988 and the first since Field of Crows...
Comics
Interior comics work includes:- Judge AndersonJudge AndersonJudge Cassandra Anderson is a fictional character that started as a supporting player in the comic story Judge Dredd of 2000 AD and eventually rose in prominence and became the star of her own series, which is entitled Anderson: Psi-Division. It was created by writer John Wagner and artist Brian...
: "Voyage of the seeker" (with Alan Grant, in Judge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd: The Megazine is a monthly British comic magazine, launched in October 1990. It is a sister publication to 2000 AD. Its name is a play on words, formed from "magazine" and Dredd's locale Mega-City One.-Content:...
, 2.37, 1993)
Comics covers
Comics covers include:- Judge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd: The Megazine is a monthly British comic magazine, launched in October 1990. It is a sister publication to 2000 AD. Its name is a play on words, formed from "magazine" and Dredd's locale Mega-City One.-Content:...
#2.10, 2.15, 2.20, 2.27, 2.30, 2.32, 2.37, 2.48, 2.50, 2.63, 3.04 (1992–1995)