David Plunkert

Went to Salt's Mill in Saltaire today - found the bookshop. Spent ages looking at pretty pictures and Moominthings (of course) until I found this little collection of Poe stories & poems illustrated by David Plunkert. I'd seen it online but hadn't been able to get a copy of it from my library, so I was very excited to find it here.

Plunkert's distorted, unnerving collages suit the tone of Poe's writing as they have a similar sense of observation and introspection. David Plunkert uses real photos and combines them with printed media (screen/lino) to achieve this aged, weathered aesthetic. 

Plunkert echoes Poe's tendency to discuss gritty details in his use of grunge textures and overlays.

It worries me a little because I am, in effect, attempting to do the same as what Plunkert has already done so well. How can I compete with that?

Although I think Plunkert's approach suits Poe's writing style, I do think that it could be spookier. 

The page with the Black Cat uses a classic black and red 'horror' colour code - perhaps too obvious? It's successful in creating a 'horror' tone and is a recognisable genre convention, but I think that Plunkert has played it too safe by illustrating what the mind can envision without the aid of illustration.

FEAR IS IN THE UNKNOWN, which is why Poe's mysterious stories are so effective. These illustrations, however, leave nothing to try and figure out. Be more ambiguous, unexpected or inexplicable.

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Spoke to my friend Clarrie about the project and where I think I'm taking it - she was surprised by my choosing of Poe. Not what she expected. 'A bit dark for you' and thought Leonora Carrington might have been better suited...

Hm. I get it. I am guilty of drawing sickly sweet, sugar coated characters and happy smiling things but that doesn't mean that this isn't me too.

And I don't find Poe dark. He's not.

He's not vulgar or sick in his work, only slightly obsessed with death and mystery. He's spooky rather than scary.

I don't know if that makes sense but it does to me. It's about his tone and I think I understand him.