A Film That Stuck With Me
I still remember the first time I saw The NeverEnding Story. It was during school—one of those days where the teacher rolled in the big TV cart and hit play. I didn’t know what I was in for, but by the end, I was completely spellbound.
The moment that burned itself into my memory the most? Gmork. That terrifying, werewolf-like creature hiding in the shadows, voiced by none other than Alan Oppenheimer. I don’t think I blinked for his entire scene. It scared me to death—and I loved every second of it. That fear just deepened the wonder of the film. It made the world feel dangerous, mysterious, and real.
The Art That Inspired Me
As much as the story stuck with me, so did the look of it. That richly painted fantasy world felt like a storybook come to life. Over the years, I found myself drawn to the artists who helped define the visual language of that era—Drew Struzan, Bob Peak, Richard Amsel. Their movie posters weren’t just advertisements. They were works of art.
Those posters had drama. Mood. Character. They told a whole story in one powerful image. And they were painted—by hand. That tactile, analog quality is something I’ve always gravitated toward in my own work.
A Project From the Heart
So, I’ve decided to create a poster of my own—my reimagining of The NeverEnding Story, painted traditionally with real media on illustration board at full movie poster size. This isn’t a reproduction of the original poster—it’s my personal tribute to the spirit of the film and the golden age of illustrated movie art.
This project is both a love letter and a challenge to myself—to bring together everything I love about storytelling, fantasy, and traditional media into one image.
What to Expect
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my process from the ground up. That includes:
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Thumbnail sketches and composition decisions
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Color studies and planning
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Traditional painting techniques
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Insights and reflections along the way
I’ll also be talking through the “why” behind the creative choices I make—both technical and emotional—because that’s often where the real learning happens.
For the Fans and the Artists
Whether you’re here as a fan of the film, a child of the ’80s, or a fellow artist looking to learn more about the traditional illustration process, I hope this series inspires you. Passion projects like this are a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be created for a client or a paycheck—it can come straight from the heart.
Follow more of this process on my YouTube Channel and get behind the scenes access on my Patreon. Get ready to dive in, and I'll see you in the next installment!
