July 6, 2025 and one hundred and fourteen years ago on this day in 1911, British artist, Roy Carnon, who illustrated Edgar rice Burroughs covers for Four Square Books in the United Kingdom, was born. Much of his work is available under the Barsoom titles at www.erbzine.com
Roy Frederick Carnon attended art school in Chiswick for a short time. He became an illustrator, working mainly for advertising agencies; during the Second World War, Carnon continued to sketch even when he was working as a fireman during the London Blitz; he subsequently joined the RAF ground crew and was dispatched in Africa, India and the Far East.
After he returned to civilian life, Carnon continued to work in advertising, as well as producing book covers. He was responsible for a number of covers for Edgar Rice Burroughs' novels published by Four Square Books in 1961-65 and illustrated "Famous Fighting Aircraft" for the Collins Wonder Colour Books series in 1964.
In 1965, Carnon became one of the members of the team responsible for producing concept drawings, sketches and paintings for 2001: A Space Odyssey. His official designation was 'scientific design specialist and visual concept artist'. For this he was responsible for visualizing space craft, film sets and the iconic 'wheel' space station, that in his rendering is almost indistinguishable from the final product.
The fictional drabble for today is, Visualize,” inspired by Roy Carnon’s artwork.
‘Mr. Carnon,” said the art director. “Welcome. Arthur C. Clarke loved your Space Wheel sketch. How did you come up with it?”
“I read his book. It’s no different than my Barsoom books covers for Four Square Books. I read the novels. They told me everything I needed to visualize the end product.”
“I loved those. Why only illustrate fantastical scenes? You could make a fortune painting the rich and famous.
‘It’s easier for me to visualize a space station or a Green Martian than a posh snob that I could stand being around long enough to paint a portrait.”
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