Mitchell's A-Z of Fetish Artists - Player

Steven Player is another well established illustrator who produces a good deal of mainstream fantasy work. This overflows into his gay-themed images which are often gritty and populated by angry men, skinheads and strange gnomic creatures and dwarves.

Player - Dracula

I've included this vampire book illustration to illustrate the sheer quality of his work, which shows oceans of technical skill and a seductive erotic touch as well. The portrayal of Dracula as a needy, young addict is fascinating. Clearly once handsome, he is now wasting away under the demands of his blood lust - but he seems to have picked a top quality victim to top up from!

Player - Surf

The surfer crucified and bound in barbed wire on his own surfboard appeals to ageing killjoys and sadistic tastes alike, but it is an angry, disturbing image. It's not just youth and the carefree lifestyle (represented by floppy blond hair and cut-off jeans) being punished here, but sexuality too (lithe muscular body and unbuttoned shorts). Nails, blood and barbed wire (as in the film 'Jubilee'), Player doesn't pull his punches.

Player - Man Dog

Player presents his ageist credentials in Man Dog. An ordinary suburban garden is the setting for a humiliating role reversal as two boys 'wash the dog'. The 'man dog' is a full blown, angry skinhead with Doc Martin Boots and skinny jeans, now dangling from a tree in the background. Player's skinheads usually inhabit the dangerous alleyways of the city. It's not clear how he got here nor quite how these mischievous lads persuaded him to undress and don a dog collar while they washed him down - he's a burglar caught in the act perhaps? At any rate they are clearly in the driving seat and all concerned seem to be finding it jolly exciting, including the real dog - a nice touch.

Player - Twenty Seven

I love this picture of shared, ritual humiliation. Two young skinheads are on the receiving end here, hands tied behind (?) they are placed in a closet to be anonymously anointed by the rest of the gang, one after another. At twenty seven, (not their ages I suspect), their faces show it's not altogether to their liking, despite the obvious excitement at being used. Interestingly, Player depicts a changeover moment and only light is streaming through the gloryholes, allowing the two buddies to reflect on the messy process. I quite like the fact that they are shown standing up, still proud men. It requires us to imagine up some sort of raised platform for the donors on the other side of the wall, but makes the humiliation more profound than abject grovelling and also allows Player to show us their attractive bodies.

Player - Sex PG(4)

An intriguing picture. These ruffians have landed in some tropical region and could be soldiers judging by the hair, tattoos and dog tag on view. They have made a prisoner of an attactive young man, who appears to have just tattooed one of them on the arm, although his features and own tribal tattoos suggest he is anything but tribal or local. The two handsome rogues seem to have discovered that his loin cloth conceals an undeclared interest in them and are amusing themselves discussing what they might do about it - with cane and cigarette ready to hand. Political undertones here? Although it doesn't have the raunchy drama of other Player pictures, the characterisation of the three men in this picture is fascinating and true to life. It's a picture you want to linger over.

Player's own website is PlayerMen, you'll find some sexy images there

For earlier posts in this series click on the A-Z label below

Mitchells' A-Z of Fetish Artists - Platter

Platter - Statues

Sean Platter is a professional illustrator of some note, his older work is often lushly sensuous beefcake, like 'Statues' above. The captive beauty of statues has inspired artists and randy adolescents alike for centuries. Closer inspection of the copulating couple artwork reveals patches of natural skin colouration, are they about to come to life? Etienne famously played with this theme - and Mozart in 'Don Giovanni'. The ghostly treatment of the other background statues, draped with dust sheets suggests something more sinister, is the hunk about to be recruited into their ranks?

Platter - Leather Prisoner

You can see the same mind at work in 'Leather Prisoner' (my title), a straightforward image of a fetish ritual is transformed by placing a majestic, pair of wings behind the prisoner, their representation is just ethereal enough to suggest a spiritual rather than a physical existence. The upward pointing tips, like a bird of prey, imply strength and power. Just as well, for the large cog wheel in the foreground threatens pain on a grand scale for this 'angel'.

Platter - Flogged (from 'Demonic Sex' comic)

Platter's more recent 'Demonic Sex' series of comics explores these sorts of themes further. I suppose demonology might be regarded as a fetish in it's own right were it to be capable of physical realisation. The scenario where a pick-up transforms from stud into a horrifying, devouring beast is certainly erotically stimulating and sums up the human condition rather well, hence the perpetual popularity of the classic, monster-horror/ 'beauty and the beast' genres. The flogging transformation (Flogged) above is just the start of the hero's trials at the hands of one of the more enticing varieties of demon which Platter conjures up, with luscious attention to the relevant detail! This image is reminiscent of Bill Ward's comic style.

Platter - Gargoyles (from 'Demonic Sex' comic)

In Platter's hands this is just the gateway to a succession of abduction scenarios neatly summed up by the 'Gargoyles' composite above. A demon interrupts a leather bondage session and converts the participants. 'Demonic Sex' is generously laced with humour and caricature cameos which are just as interesting as his older work. I'm not keen on the grotesquery here but I really like the idea behind this little story - two men taken and imprisoned within another form, transformed into servants. How much more delicious though, if they were deserving villains rather than the easy leather queen target!

Platter - Foreskin (from 'Demonic Sex' comic)

The angel, above, enveloped by a devilish foreskin is genuinely original, funny and erotic all at the same time but the rest of the story is peppered with bloody, ritual death and regeneration scenes that I suspect would be unpublishable as erotica were it not dressed up in humour and devilish fantasy, where the normal rules governing pain and death are suspended. It's a funny world!

Platter - Feed! (from 'Demonic Sex' comic)

My final frame shows the hero's subjugation and induction into his new role as servant of the demon, it's pretty erotic with or without the horns, beautifully conveying not just lust, but domination as well. A terrific artist.
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The samples of Demonic Sex presented here are just selected frames from the comics and not full pages. The originals are available from Triple Six Comics.

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Sean's own website is at Decadent Arts

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For earlier posts in this series click on the A-Z label below

A-Z of Fetish Artists - Pichard

Pichard - Roman Lash (my title)

This picture is a fetish perennial on the internet so I cannot overlook it. The artist is actually noted for heterosexual erotica and the background detail of classic architecture and female onlookers bears this out. The treatment of the foreground figure doesn't really match in quality and I suspect it has been erotically 're-engineered' for a gay audience. Nevertheless the combination of frail nudity and the domineering, unpleasant looking guard wielding the lash is very effective. The leg-over-the-bar shackling arrangement is curious but contributes to the visual erotic effect, I suppose it makes more sense in the original story context.

Georges Pichard is well represented on comic art fans . He's also in Wikipaedia and Googling produces lots of example of his work. Interesting if you don't mind looking at females.

For earlier posts in this series click on the A-Z label below

A-Z of Fetish Artists - Philippe

Philippe - Chairbound

A brief mention for Philippe who has produced some interesting dungeon imagery full of shaved heads and rubber garments. This artist's work is a curious mixture of subtle skill and naivety. The chairbound example is quite a nice image and the depiction of the captive's face is full of subtle detail, as is the strangely-angled stone wall behind him. In contrast, other significant parts of the picture are quite crude, unfinished even, like the captor's face - which works to some extent. I'm not so sure about the sketchy treatment of the ropes and the victim's open legs.

Philippe - Rubber Orgy

The rubber orgy picture with it's bathroom accessories is reminiscent of Bastille's work with a confused melee of men exploring every possible sensuality. The depiction of the bodies is quite stylised and they end up looking like real men rather than muscle gods. There's quite strong sense of shared pleasure here too, which is refreshing. Perhaps the real antecedants of this picture are the youthful romps drawn by Spartacus in the 1950's. This picture is also lifted by quirky incidental detail, like the fastidious participant who prefers to empty himself into a toilet and the out of scale, suited voyeur in the shadows.

Philippe seems to focus more on what is happening and what the participants are experiencing than on the visual depiction itself. I can't decide if the result is naïve or exceptionally artistic. Either way it's not a resounding success for me as erotica but definitely interesting work.

I can't find a website for Philippe and I would welcome information from readers.

For earlier posts in this series click on the A-Z label below

A-Z of Fetish Artists - Paul (updated)

Paul - Caned in the Pillory

Another one off from my collection. The pillory is an alluring subject for fetish enthusiasts but it's rare to find successful images of it. This simple example works rather well, the device looks realistic and strong enough to restrain a struggling man and keep him in an awkward, vulnerable head-bowed position which is eminently suitable for caning. I like my fetish pictures (even cartoons) to feature red-blooded men, so the baby faced dom is a turn off, but the young captive trapped in the pillory is nicely drawn. His hairy, muscular arms reassure us he's well into manhood but the narrow hips and pert buns capture the lingering, slender, sexy awkwardness of youth. Some might prefer to see more flesh on view but for me his skinny-fit jeans enhance the bottom shape and together with the oversize shoes suggest a rebellious character. He probably deserves what he's getting.

Paul - Reformatory Caning

My thanks to James who responded to my plea for more samples of Paul's work, enabling me to add this extra example which is shows a wider skill set than the pillory scene above. It's full of energy and drama and involves a tricky perspective.
 His depiction of clothing with a few simple lines is rather impressive.

I can't find a website for Paul and I would welcome information from readers.

For earlier posts in this series click on the A-Z label below

A-Z of Fetish Artists - Patrick

Patrick - Keys

I know very little about this artist and this is the only picture I have by him. If you've seen my articles about men sharing clothes (click on 'sharing' in the label list) you don't need me to explain why I like it! Forced removal by a criminal adds a layer of spice.You can find more of his work at men in peril.

For earlier posts in this series click on the A-Z label below

A-Z of Fetish Artists - Paul Patterson

Paul Patterson - Bondage Present

I didn't expect Paul Patterson to figure on my list of fetish artists. I enjoy his humourous 'chocolate box' beefcake, his sensuous depictions of very handsome men. But a man tied up in silk ribbons doesn't really count as fetish, although I must admit this 'moment of release' is sensitively painted and full of resonance for most gay men.

Paul Patterson - Cricket

The second picture features quite a mix of not very subtle erotic symbolism, a remarkably handsome man holding a cricket bat as though it were a sword being unsheathed, his dangling belt (!) end is being tugged by a naked companion who kneels submissively, with his other hand hovering at thigh level. I've spoken of the potent symbolism of the kneeling servant in my Royale articles but there's also a sense of connection here to renaissance art in the slightly awed, devotional facial expression and the hand reaching out as if in blessing. This character could easily fit in amongst Michaelangelo's supporting cast of angels. It's also possible to read this scene more fetishistically (if there is such a word!) as a frail prisoner imploring his guard for mercy - it's not cricket, chaps!

Paul Patterson - On The Ropes

The Boxer on the ropes is another mildly fetishistic subject, suggesting sweaty humiliation and subjugation. It's a clever adaptation of a kneeling pose and who could not enjoy that restained muscular body and confused expression?

Paul Patterson - Bondage orgy (detail)

The final image is a detail from a larger picture, captive men are carried in over the shoulder and suspended in bondage from the ceiling, dripping with excitement. You can access the full picture at the website below.

The quality of Paul Patterson's imagery speaks for itself, although one of the pitfalls of the beautiful, near photographic finish is that 'the joins' between different picture elements are harder to conceal. Nevertheless a great gay illustrator with very acceptable fetish credentials.

There's an extensive gallery of Paul's work at DelftBoys

For earlier posts in this series click on the A-Z label below

A-Z of Fetish Artists - Palanca

Palanca - Cowboy Foot-love

Palanca is a prolific producer of imagery that primarily celebrates the worship of men's feet. This picture epitomises that fetish, the worshipper has even used a knife to access his object of desire, a hint of 'edge' that is not untypical of Palanca's work. As a 'clothes man' I love the Long Johns here. 

His work is often executed on paper designed for another purpose or on what appear to be the inside surfaces of opened out cardboard boxes where you can see the folds running across the picture (see below). He often uses caricature and grossly exaggerated features that sometimes 'out-dick' Tom of Finland at his most unsubtle. Nevertheless, Palanca's pictures are often intensely sexual and, in a strange way, very real.

Palanca - Kart boys

I have described his celebrated 'feet' predecessor, Etienne, as being able to depict feet that are more foot-like than the real thing. Palanca celebrates their clumsy, bony oddity, humorous rather than beautiful. 

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He has an uncanny ability to portray the essence of the Latin male in both appearance and personality. Good natured humour pours out of his pictures of smiling men, affectionate cameos of friends and depictions of playful couples like Kart boys above which must contain the subtlest groping ever!

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Palanca - 'Foot photographer'

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'Foot photographer' is pastoral in atmosphere, the childlike concentration of the photographer is mirrored in his buddy's fascinated exploration of his ass,while he affectionately squeezes his foot. The rich colouring and the treatment of the trees in the background shows a cultivated technique reminiscent of an old master painting and this theme continues in 'The Night Vincent Died' (below) where the background is a fascinating pastiche of Van Gogh's cornfields ,which tells you we are dealing with an intelligent and knowledgeable artist.

Palanca - The Night Vincent Died

This picture shows a different side to Palanca, a rough encounter where the interest in foot worship is not necessarily mutual. The awkward angling of the limbs in this composition, which expresses the aggression so well reminds me of the work of Neil Bruce. Van Gogh's circling birds take on a sinister air.

Palanca - 'Fixing around'

'Fixing around' is one of my favourites, the drama of the forced cock worship and the contrast between the muscular tough and his young, suited partner strikes you immediately. It's not clear if the young man's hands are bound or merely restrained by his own dishevelled shirt. His own tie has been looped over his assailants rigid cock and pulled tight, dramatically binding them together in a head-back pose that expresses 'cock domination' in a totally original way - it's far more effective than the traditional porn cliché of 'whack 'em in the face with it'.

The boys own tool strains against his underwear as his captor's extended foot explores his bare ass but this detail seems almost incidental. This slanting composition is beautifully put together, the angled walls imparting a tremendous sense of upward motion where the men come together. Further wildness and drama is provided by the billowing fabrics and shadows of carpentry tools.

It's a complex picture and I confess I have no idea what the title really means.

Palanca - 'Cowboy Poker Losers'

'Cowboy Poker Losers' is even better. The cowboy reclining in his chair and nonchalantly lighting up is a little gem of characterisation. Meanwhile two naked men kneel with hands tied behind their backs, concentrating hard on doing their best to service his prodigious cock and well worn boots. They are both handsome and full of youthful virility, making their humiliation all the more erotic. Palanca is good natured enough to show us they are excited by it themselves. I love the silky skin textures.

Any artist wanting to depict feet as a fetish will want to place them in the foreground like this and Palanca's execution of the tricky perspective involved is skilful and convincing. There's another example of that in the next picture.

Palanca - Rubber Squad

There is a darker side to Palanca, he has produced images depicting scat, mutilation and cannibalism, hanging, grotesque monsters and limbless devils, but for my final selection I have chosen an unconventional fetish image in which a rather stylish 'rubber squad' appear to be rescuing a man who is strapped down to an operating table and about to be injected from a hypodermic syringe by some villain.

Well I say rescued, but the rubber squad also take the opportunity to sample his wares and he doesn't look entirely happy about it. The charming notepaper on which the sketch is done provides a rather camp frame for the image which seems entirely appropriate.

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This selection is just a fraction of what I would have liked to discuss of Palanca's art which has many interesting facets. Light hearted on the surface, his work abounds with careful observation and social detail which is interesting and occasionally thought provoking - like his sketches of homeless men offering 'anything' for food. While caricature and sometimes grotesque distortion of the human body feature heavily his men are often beautiful and sexy and portrayed in a sensual, attractive way that makes you want to linger and lust. A rare talent.

Palanca has a blog called PalancaFeet which is a good starting point for exploring his work.

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For earlier posts in this series, click on 'A-Z' in the label list below or use the search box in the header to find your favourite artist.

A-Z of Fetish Artists - Parker aka Ace Moorcock

Ace Moorcock - Panel from 'Alley' story

A brief mention for Brad Parker aka Ace Moorcock whose comics depicting the wild adventures of Jason,
a seemingly naïve country youth complete with floppy blond hair, are often sprinkled with fetish references like restraint and spanking.

Ace Moorcock - Panel from 'Hitchin' story

His downfall is his clothing which invariably reveals a bulging appendage, irresistable to the men he encounters. Parker graphically depicts their lust-filled eyes as they sieze poor Jason and plunder his buns with their own ample organs and you are never quite sure if the activities are consensual or not.

Ace Moorcock - Panel from 'Hitchin' story

These are primarily sex comics and as such they work very well with close-ups and strange angles of view that sometimes take a bit of working out but give a tremendous sense of sexual energy and sheer lust. Somehow though, for me, the fetish scenes don't seem to reach the same heights as the purely sexual ones and this selection reflects that odd discrepancy.

I've not found a website for Brad but you can Google lots of examples of his work under both names.

For earlier posts in this series click on the A-Z label below

A-Z of Fetish Artists - Paschke

Ralf Pashke is an unusual phenomenon amongst fetish artists in that all the work I've seen by him is paint on canvas. His work is intended to be hung on walls and is therefore not sexually explicit for the most part, but I'm happy to include him here because his subjects do cover a wide range of S&M topics - rubber, bondage, domination even noose play. What's more he portrays these subjects honestly without concealing their erotic dimension.

Paschke - Larky

In Larky, for instance, your eye is immediately drawn to the muscular shoulders of the captive as he strains against the restraints and the rugged face is full of attractive masculinity. Beefcake if you like, but the unzipped rear of his leather jeans, revealing a glimpse of red underwear inside, adds a subtle but uncompromising erotic frisson.

Paschke - qbody

Liberated from having to depict sexual activity, Paschke is able to focus on artistic values and depicting individuals. 'qbody' is more painted more sensually, with subtle muscle definition and body and limb shapes which are pleasing and erotic in themselves. But the mohican style haircut and the wooden staff that makes this bondage position uncomfortably 'real' add a nice gritty edge.

Paschke - Bootlick 2

I'm not qualified to comment on Paschke's technique, his style is a little coarse for my taste, for example the swirling facial features in bootlick2, but of course it's not intended to be displayed on computer screens and it's still a great take on a classic fetish image whose roots go right back to Tom of Finland.

Paschke's website is at Gaymaleart

Deadly fascination

Ditch

Don't worry, it's not real!

Visit Kyle's blog for more striking and disturbing images.

Footnote on Bound Gods

Luke Riley

Bound Gods - Epilogue

The Chloroform post was the last of my present series celebrating the imagery of the Bound Gods studio. It's been surprisingly hard to choose just 10 representative examples even though I pretty much excluded 'straightforward' dungeon material (probably wrongly) and orgy scenes (which for some reason leave me cold). 

In the end I did succumb to repeating the water tank and electro-torture themes but I think I've been able to show that the work of this studio has many, different, appealing facets - models with personality, imaginative scenarios spiced with realism and unusual and stimulating fetish devices. All supported by quality photography with a great understanding of what is truly erotic. All the same I have no idea how I have managed to leave out Trent Diesel's hangdog submissiveness and beautiful abs or Luke Riley's spiky personality. 

I suspect I may want a second bite! 

Read this series from the Start

  

Just to reiterate, I don't derive any income from these reviews

 and I am immensely grateful to Bound Gods for allowing me to post the images.

Bound Gods Celebration - 10

Medical Electro-Torture

My last selection in this celebration of Bound Gods imagery returns to the topic of electro-torture, 
but this time in a medical context.

Phenix Saint plays a psycho-patient who is restrained in a strait-jacket in a padded cell. 
He starts starts loudly demanding attention.

His 'restlessness' has a sexual dimension (naturally) and there's a sense of unpredictability and menace from him in this scene. This is a nice shot of Phenix's well developed thighs.

The Ward Orderly (Jason Miller) takes him to an examination room for a thorough investigation. When dressed in a smock Phenix suddenly looses that aura of strength and power and submits with more docility than you would expect, especially considering the Orderly has whipped his cock out and is shamelessly groping him. 

This sequence seems a bit unlikely, but perhaps Jason introduced a sedating medication into Phenix's buttock before his strait jacket was removed. 
Anyway Jason decides he to chloroform him so he can confine him.

Phenix awakes to find himself unfrocked and strapped down to the bed. 
Once again his thighs are the centre of attention. 
The Orderly has strapped two electro-pads to each of them and is busily wiring them up.

A nice shot of Phenix looking extremely doubtful as the treatment begins, 
perhaps the sedation is wearing off, but his cock is certainly excited.

Before long he's jumping about in pain. 
The restraints leave him just enough freedom to writhe and struggle but there's no way of escaping. Jason enjoys the show in his own way. But there's more...

Next, the Orderly takes hold of Phenix's penis and carefully inserts a special electrode into the tip. 
Apart from showing us clearly what is happening, there's a nice intimacy about this image 
but the straps around Phenix's thighs in the background remind us that it is a one-sided intimacy.

With the probe fully inserted, the cage-like cap fits snugly over the top of Phenix's cock, 
held securely in place by the ring which sits snugly behind the flare of his cock head. 
With Jason's hands removed a glimpse of Phenix's right thigh shows us how his legs are held open by his restraints, a vulnerable position which makes the conglomeration of wires and metal electrodes attached to this part of his body all the more intimidating. 
It's as though we are looking through his eyes, fearing what is to come.

We can now see that Phenix has also been gagged, 
although this very un-medical, bit-gag will not stop him shouting. 
Arguably it will protect his tongue from biting during electrically induced spasms 
but it would be nice to see a less fetishistic design. 

The brown strapping fits the bill better 
and allows him just enough freedom to struggle - to Jason's obvious pleasure. 
You can admire Phenix's thighs to the full here 
as he begins to experience the second trial and braces himself.

Close up again you still can't see what Phenix is experiencing 
but you can comprehend that there is no escape from the tormenting electrodes attached to him

This picture could easily be glossed over, but for me it is pure erotica. 

You can see how the ring of the cage fits neatly behind the flare of Phenix's penis head, so it is held securely in place. The straps holding the pads against his thighs are so tight they compress his flesh. 
Phenix's rigid cock immediately grabs your attention, but look also at the lines traced by the front of his thighs as they converge towards his neat pubic mat. It's beautifully erotic and the continuation up towards his pecs would be too but it is broken up by the tattoos on his abdomen. 

The authentic looking equipment in the background, even the orderlies hand create a tremendous sense of a helpless captive being remorselessly tested.

That hurts! Phenix curls his body and draws his legs up, 
fists clenched in an involuntary response to the assault on his groin

A marvellous shot of Phenix's muscular body writhing and tensing
 as his whole genital area is subjected to painful torture by the sadistic Orderly.

Phenix sinks back exhausted.

Jason extends a cynical comforting hand 
or is he just enjoying the feel of his victim's trembling body?
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What can I say? Marvellous erotica.

Ref: Bound Gods 11107 Chloroform

Read concluding part

Read this series from the Start