Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Enid used many illustrators in her books. Discuss them here.
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pete9012S
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Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by pete9012S »

Derek Lucas illustrated all the Secret Seven Knight edition books.
I have created a separate thread to post a link to them here in one place:
I have all the paperbacks,so I will add more as we go along:



01.The Secret Seven - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1968:

http://share.pho.to/9sUHs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

02. Secret Seven Adventure - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1967:

http://share.pho.to/9sUdY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

03. Well Done Secret Seven - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1968:

http://share.pho.to/9sXvN" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


04. Secret Seven On The Trail - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1968:

http://share.pho.to/9sZnJ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

05. Go Ahead Secret Seven - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1968:

http://share.pho.to/9scpm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

06. Good Work Secret Seven - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1969:

http://share.pho.to/9tVvv" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

07. Secret Seven Win Through - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1970:

http://share.pho.to/9ts6B" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

08. Three Cheers,Secret Seven - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1970:

http://share.pho.to/9tyQc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

09. Secret Seven Mystery - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1971:

http://share.pho.to/9uvgq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

10. Puzzle For The Secret Seven - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1971:

http://share.pho.to/9vW8p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

11. Secret Seven Fireworks - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1972:

http://share.pho.to/9vvyp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

12. Good Old Secret Seven - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1972:

http://share.pho.to/9wFq2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


13. Shock For The Secret Seven - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1973:

http://share.pho.to/9xp9w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Last edited by pete9012S on 01 Jan 2016, 13:40, edited 13 times in total.
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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by Rob Houghton »

Those look great, Pete! :-) One thing I've always really liked about Derek Lucas's illustrations for 'The Secret Seven' is the great feeling of 'cold' he manages to portray, with the scenes of snowy lanes and fields and the snowmen. The illustration with the man with the stick chasing them off his property is particularly atmospheric I think. :-)
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I'll warm me with your echoes
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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by Moonraker »

They're quite good, Pete. Almost as good as George Brook's.

Image
Derek Lucas

Image
George Brook
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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

Yes, not bad Pete. I do like all the originals though. :D

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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by John Pickup »

I like the originals by George Brook but the ones by Derek Lucas that portray the night time scenes are very atmospheric.
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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Thanks, Pete. The Derek Lucas illustrations take me back to my childhood. My sister and I and our friends would read the Secret Seven books and hold meetings in our shed (complete with passwords and badges), believing that one day a mystery would come our way!
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by Rob Houghton »

As I've said before, Derek Lucas's illustrations WERE the Secret Seven to me. I made books and magazines etc using the characters (drawn by me) 8)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by pete9012S »

There are now five books available to view all the illustrations.
I have noticed a few things already: There always invariably seems to be a visit from a policeman to the shed at the end of the story.

Also,I'm looking forward to checking the consistency of Derek's illustrations of the interior and exterior of the shed over the course of the whole series.I like comparing details like that.

ie.which way does the shed door open,which side of the door is the handle on,interior windows/shelves/seating arrangements etc....
(No Eddie Stobart trucks passing near were I live!!!!)

Also,one book's printing/illustration dates puzzles me,but I can't remember which one at the moment.I will highlight it when I come across it again.
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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by Rob Houghton »

Before Nigel says it, Pete - I'll jump in 'You have too much time on your hands!' LOL ;-) Honestly, I find those sort of details interesting also - consistencies in door handles, which way doors open, etc - it's all stuff that an artist has to take notice of in order for their illustrations to ring true. :-)

One thing I find really telling about the two illustrations you compared above, Pete, which I'd never noticed before, and that is the likeness between the two depictions of the man in the window - they are uncannily alike - so much so that I'm sure Derek Lucas must have based his depiction on the original! 8)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by pete9012S »

Image

Yes,I agree!
But all credit must go to eagle eyed Nigel for spotting it :D
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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by Moonraker »

And notice the superior brick-work drawing in George Brook's illustration.
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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Often, I prefer the backgrounds in George Brook's illustrations but the characters' faces and hair in Derek Lucas's illustrations.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by Courtenay »

It could be worse, Nigel, don't forget — Betty Maxey would probably have left out the brick-work altogether. :wink:
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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by John Pickup »

Derek Lucas depicts Janet as having dark hair but wasn't she blond-haired in the original illustrations by George Brook and Bruno Kay? I always imagine her to have blond hair.
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Re: Derek Lucas - Secret Seven illustrations

Post by Courtenay »

John Pickup wrote:Derek Lucas depicts Janet as having dark hair but wasn't she blond-haired in the original illustrations by George Brook and Bruno Kay?
She does seem to be, yes.

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