Previewing ‘Thomas Girtin, The Forgotten Painter’: New From Oscar Zarate And SelfMadeHero

The new graphic biography from Oscar Zarate and SelfMadeHero throws light on a pioneering watercolour artist and contemporary of Turner.

Oscar Zarate’s work has shone; bold, colourful, and enthralling, through decades of fantastic illustrations and graphic novels, including collaborating with Alan Moore on A Small Killing and Alexei Sayle on Geoffrey the Tube Train and the Fat Comedian. He was also the editor of It’s Dark in London, and he wrote and illustrated The Park. You may have seen his illustrations on his many collaborations with Richard Appignanesi – Dr Faustus, Hysteria, Introducing Freud, Introducing Existentialism.

The Argentinian-born and London-based illustrator, artist, writer, and graphic novelist now has his latest work published by SelfMadeHero in June.

Thomas Girtin, The Forgotten Painter is Zarate’s graphic biography of Girtin, a friend, contemporary, and greatest rival of JMW Turner, is described by SMH as ‘part historical narrative, part modern fiction, the book consists of two interlinked stories: the first focuses on the 18th-century painter Thomas Girtin and his relationship with his friend and rival J.M.W. Turner; the second tells the tale of three amateur artists in the present day, united by a shared interest in Girtin’s art.’

Zarate’s rich and delightful artwork here has the intention of bringing Girtin and his work back into the spotlight after far too many years of both the artist and his art being ignored or forgotten.

Although Girtin died at just 27, his influence on British painting was huge, with an expressionistic style marking a turning point for the British watercolour tradition. Sadly for Girtin, his work came to be overshadowed by that of Turner, who famously said of Girtin, “If Tom had lived, I should have starved.”

We only have a few preview pages to show you here, but just those should easily illustrate just how wonderful it is to have Zarate back making comics.

Thomas Girtin, The Forgotten Painter. Written and drawn by Oscar Zarate.

Published by SelfMadeHero on 8th June 2023 (UK) & 20 June 2023 (US)