Dr Who VHS | ColinHowardArt.com

Doctor Who VHS- 1993/4

BBC -VHS Covers 1995

The Mark of the Rani - 1995

My first Historical Who.
Another Colin Baker portrait.

This time with Anthony Ainley's Villainous Master and Kate O'Mara's Rogue Scientist Rani.

Stevenson's Rocket and the Historic coalmine elements contrast with the Rani's 'Futuristic' - TARDIS control console.

Time and the Rani - 1995

Sylvester's first story and featuring the Amazing Kate O'Mara as the Timelord Renegade Rani.

I actually airbrushed this one in public at an Open Day, at my local Art suppliers Store in Norwich back then, which was a novel experience to say the least.

Frontier in Space - 1995

When I was a child watching Jon Pertwee's 3rd Doctor, I loved all the Alien Creatures in this story, and it's 'Space War' setting.

John Friedlander's exceptional half masks for the Ape-like lumbering Ogrons, and the reptilian Draconians were as Fantastic as anything else at the time on television. Even Pertwee himself was equally impressed by them.

The Sea Devils - 1995

One of my All time favorite stories as a Child in the 1970's.

I loved the idea of this Intelligent Reptile race, that had been in suspended animation for Millions of years that had Awoken & wanted their Planet back!

It played as a repeat one Summer Holiday as a feature length special, in a time when the Target novelizations were the only way of living past episodes.

I still have my Original Art which is currently 'On Loan' to the Weston Museum's Doctor Who Art Exhibition. The first time my remaining covers have left my possession in 35 years!

Warriors of the Deep - 1995

I was thrilled to get the opportunity to paint both these Eocene releases, as I'd re-read the novelizations many times.
So this was a lovely one to put together for me.

Sea Devil Samurai Warriors and the Silurian's too, plus Myrka with an Undersea base, making a change from the Starry backgrounds.

Paradise Towers - 1995

Set in a Rundown Future Apartment block, where the tenants are devolving to 'Tribes & Cannibals'.

The decaying building is all overseen by Richard Briars' Chief Caretaker, and Cleaning Robots are becoming Murderous.

This was a Tricky one to design as my usual Star-fields & Nebulous clouds were superfluous.
Instead I concentrated on the Rundown Pool area, where the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) is struggling to rescue Mel (Bonnie Langford) from the Pool Cleaner.

Survival - 1995

The last of the show's 'Classic Run' with Sylvester Mc Coy and Sophie Aldred as Ace.

I wanted quite a Dynamic look to this one, including the showdown between the Doctor (Possessed by the Planet's murderous influence) & Anthony Ainley's Master.

I really liked the idea of the Cheetah people, especially Kara played by Lisa Bowerman, and the way they stirred up 70's childhood memories of 'The Planet of the Apes' TV Show & films with the Cat People riding/hunting on Horseback.

This painting like 2 others throughout my Career were Stolen while out of my possession at the Printing stage. I haven't seen the Original Art since.

The King's Demons - 1995

Historical Who was always a challenge to do, as it doesn't sit easily for impactful covers.

So for this one I decided to concentrate on the Mental duel for control of Kamelion, between the Doctor (Peter Davison) and Anthony Ainley's Master.

I pulled it back to the Medieval Castle setting at the bottom with Sir Giles Estram brandishing a Broadsword.

Five Doctors - 1995

I was very lucky to get this cover, which was released in a 'Special Edition-Boxset' with the King's Demons.

A small postcard Album was included for a series of Collector's postcards that came with each release.

I'd always loved Cyberman stories, but I Honoured an agreement that a previous Artist - Andrew Skilleter - would get all of the 'Cybermen' stories. So this was my only chance to get to paint them for the VHS range.

The Monster of Peladon - 1995

Another release where I was spoilt for choice of Alien creatures to feature.

I'd loved the Ice Warriors from their previous appearance in the Show in Curse of Peladon (I was too young to clearly remember their Black & White stories).

My Sisters and I loved the warbling high pitched Alpha Centauri.

I'd been at a Doctor Who magazine 10th Anniversary event, and had the incredible fortune to chat to my Childhood Heroine Elisabeth Sladen.
She told me her young daughter Sadie Miller had just got old enough to be curious about Doctor Who and her Mum's part in it, so I promised to pop her name on the next cover I did featuring her Mum.
She only recently realized her name was on the VHS cassette that had been on the family's TV shelves all this time!
I met her at a recent DWAS 'The Capitol' and received the loveliest Hug .

The Happiness Patrol - 1995

Another 'Unused' Cover, although my 'Kandyman' was lifted onto a later awful, digital 'Montage' swirl effect release.

I enjoyed putting this one together, with the Murderous psychopathic Bertie Bassett and Fifi the Canine pet of Sheila Hancock's 'Helen A' the Dystopian Colony Leader.

The Pink TARDIS just 'HAD' to be included as well, but this piece was destined to never be used.

Time-Flight - 1995

Another 'Unused piece'.

I got to paint Concorde and indulge my love of Aviation.

The Aircraft breaking through from the modern Era, back into the dawn of Life on Earth.

Another Master disguise as Kaleed a strange Mystic figure attempting to control an Alien race from Xeraphas to restore his TARDIS' ability to Time travel.

A great shame this never saw the light of day, as apparently I made it look a more exciting story than it actually is.....All part of the Job as a Commercial Artist.