'Batman Returns' Penguin Concept Art by Mark 'Crash' McCreery

The Penguin from Batman Returns (1992) was a visual spectacle. Taking a nod from Tim Burton's love of German Expressionism he captured the lecherous sneer of Dr Caligari. The artist that helped design and create him is Key SWS concept artist Mark 'Crash' McCreery (Jurassic Park, Predator
Galaxy Quest) along with Stan Winston.

Stan Winston shared his work and McCreery's concept art on Danny Devito's Penguin in the book The Winston Effect: The Art & History of Stan Winston Studio and excerpts have been posted to Stan Winston School.

"The initial concept was just a pointy nose," Winston said, "but I wasn’t really happy with that. So I got my hands back in the clay, which I love, and started playing with the look myself. Years ago, for The Wiz, I had created crow characters with enormous beak faces, which involved whole forehead and brow appliances. I’d always loved that design; and, although crows had nothing to do with penguins, I felt that I could use a similar concept for the Penguin. That turned out to be the look that was selected."

Check out his drawings for Batman Begins after the jump. While they can do amazing things with digital art these days, McCreery's luminous pencil work is astounding. There's also one drawing for Batman Begins by make-up artist Shane Mahan.

Click to enlarge.

Batman Returns (1992) The Penguin by Mark "Crash" McCreery

Batman Returns (1992) The Penguin by Mark "Crash" McCreery

Batman Returns (1992) The Penguin by Shane Mahan

 Here's what he looked like in the final film.

For fun here are a couple concept drawings of Penguin's henchmen.

Batman Returns (1992) Penguin Henchmen by Mark "Crash" McCreery

Batman Returns (1992) Penguin Henchmen by Mark "Crash" McCreery

Wikipedia Synopsis:
Batman Returns is a 1992 American superhero film directed by Tim Burton. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, it is a sequel to 1989's Batman. Michael Keaton reprises the title role of Bruce Wayne/Batman, Pat Hingle returns as Commissioner Gordon, and Michael Gough returns as Wayne's butler Alfred Pennyworth. The film introduces the characters of Max Shreck (Christopher Walken), a megalomaniac business tycoon who teams up with the deformed and deranged Penguin (Danny DeVito) to take over Gotham City, as well as the character of Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer), a wronged secretary named Selina Kyle with mixed motives regarding the Dark Knight.

I can't find Mark 'Crash' McCreery's official site (if you know add it in the comments), but you can learn more about his work at IMDb.

(Via ComicBookMovie.com)




What do you think of the illustrations?

@ Copyright 1992  PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures, Mark 'Crash' McCreery. All rights reserved