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Beatles Photography and Guitar Art
Beatles photography and guitar art come together in this collection of original archive photographs and music-inspired artwork. Featuring rare Beatles images from the 1960s, Rickenbacker guitar designs, musicians and live performance, the collection combines my lifelong love of music with photography, illustration, watercolour and digital art.
Project type
Music Art & Photography
Date
1960s–Present
Location
United Kingdom
01
Beatles Photography and Guitar Art
01
Rickenbacker Guitar – You’re on Fire with a Rick
“You’re on Fire with a Rick” is an original music-inspired artwork created using hand drawing, airbrushing and photography before being developed digitally in Photoshop and Corel Painter.
Every part of the guitar was carefully constructed and assembled to create the finished composition, while the dramatic fiery background was produced using my own digital painting technique. This is a stylised artistic interpretation rather than an exact representation of a particular Rickenbacker model.
You can discover more about the methods behind my work in the section “From Photograph to Watercolour Artwork & Digital Art.”
Original artwork by Charlie Poole ©
Every part of the guitar was carefully constructed and assembled to create the finished composition, while the dramatic fiery background was produced using my own digital painting technique. This is a stylised artistic interpretation rather than an exact representation of a particular Rickenbacker model.
You can discover more about the methods behind my work in the section “From Photograph to Watercolour Artwork & Digital Art.”
Original artwork by Charlie Poole ©
02
Paul Weller Rickenbacker 330 – The Jam Inspired Guitar Art - WHAAM
An original artwork inspired by Paul Weller, The Jam and the distinctive Rickenbacker 330 electric guitar.
The image began with hand drawing, airbrushing and photography before being scanned and developed in Photoshop and Corel Painter. Each element of the guitar was carefully created and assembled digitally to produce the finished composition.
The pop-art-inspired “WHAAM!” imagery was outlined onto watercolour paper using a Kopykake projector, airbrushed by hand and then digitally developed. This is a stylised artistic interpretation rather than an exact representation of a particular instrument.
Original artwork by Charlie Poole ©
The image began with hand drawing, airbrushing and photography before being scanned and developed in Photoshop and Corel Painter. Each element of the guitar was carefully created and assembled digitally to produce the finished composition.
The pop-art-inspired “WHAAM!” imagery was outlined onto watercolour paper using a Kopykake projector, airbrushed by hand and then digitally developed. This is a stylised artistic interpretation rather than an exact representation of a particular instrument.
Original artwork by Charlie Poole ©
03
The Last Riff – Final Live Performance, 2018
“The Last Riff” is a personal watercolour based on a photograph taken by my wife, Helen, during my final stage performance in 2018.
I performed simply under the name Ian and have chosen to keep the fuller story private. The musician’s name and the name of the band shown within the artwork are therefore fictitious, but the moment itself is completely genuine.
This painting captures the closing notes of an important chapter in my life—the atmosphere of the stage, the familiar guitar in my hands and the emotion of performing live for the final time.
Original watercolour artwork by Charlie Poole ©
I performed simply under the name Ian and have chosen to keep the fuller story private. The musician’s name and the name of the band shown within the artwork are therefore fictitious, but the moment itself is completely genuine.
This painting captures the closing notes of an important chapter in my life—the atmosphere of the stage, the familiar guitar in my hands and the emotion of performing live for the final time.
Original watercolour artwork by Charlie Poole ©
04
The Beatles, Cilla Black, Billy J. Kramer & The Searchers – Birmingham, 1963
A remarkable gathering of British music stars photographed in December 1963 during rehearsals for “Thank Your Lucky Stars” at ABC’s Alpha Television Studios, Aston Cross, Birmingham.
The photograph shows the artists assembled during a break in rehearsals for a promotional photo shoot. Look carefully at the background and you can see the vertical lettering spelling “PAUL,” “GEORGE,” “RINGO” and “JOHN.”
Top row: John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney.
Middle row: Billy J. Kramer, Ray Jones, Ringo Starr, Chris Curtis and Mike Pender.
Bottom row: Tony Mansfield, Robin MacDonald, Mike Maxfield, Cilla Black, Tony Jackson and John McNally.
This genuine original photograph was acquired by my father and is reproduced from the original 35mm negative held in my private collection. The negative was scanned at high resolution and carefully enhanced in Photoshop where necessary.
Some original marks and blemishes have deliberately been retained to preserve the character and historical integrity of the photograph. It is a genuine moment from an extraordinary period in British music history.
Charlie Poole Archive ©
The photograph shows the artists assembled during a break in rehearsals for a promotional photo shoot. Look carefully at the background and you can see the vertical lettering spelling “PAUL,” “GEORGE,” “RINGO” and “JOHN.”
Top row: John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney.
Middle row: Billy J. Kramer, Ray Jones, Ringo Starr, Chris Curtis and Mike Pender.
Bottom row: Tony Mansfield, Robin MacDonald, Mike Maxfield, Cilla Black, Tony Jackson and John McNally.
This genuine original photograph was acquired by my father and is reproduced from the original 35mm negative held in my private collection. The negative was scanned at high resolution and carefully enhanced in Photoshop where necessary.
Some original marks and blemishes have deliberately been retained to preserve the character and historical integrity of the photograph. It is a genuine moment from an extraordinary period in British music history.
Charlie Poole Archive ©
05
Pete Townshend Rickenbacker Guitar – The Who Inspired Art
An original artwork inspired by Pete Townshend, The Who and the distinctive Rickenbacker electric guitars associated with the band’s early sound.
The image was initially developed through hand drawing, airbrushing and photography before being scanned and digitally refined in Photoshop and Corel Painter. Each part of the guitar was carefully created and assembled to form the finished composition.
This is a stylised artistic interpretation rather than an exact representation of a particular Rickenbacker model. The artwork combines traditional and digital techniques to celebrate one of British rock music’s most influential guitarists.
Original artwork by Charlie Poole ©
The image was initially developed through hand drawing, airbrushing and photography before being scanned and digitally refined in Photoshop and Corel Painter. Each part of the guitar was carefully created and assembled to form the finished composition.
This is a stylised artistic interpretation rather than an exact representation of a particular Rickenbacker model. The artwork combines traditional and digital techniques to celebrate one of British rock music’s most influential guitarists.
Original artwork by Charlie Poole ©
06
John Lennon Rickenbacker 325 Capri Guitar Art
My artistic interpretation of a 1958 Rickenbacker 325 Capri—the distinctive guitar closely associated with John Lennon and the early sound of The Beatles.
I studied numerous examples of the Rickenbacker 325 and combined selected features to create this imaginary instrument. The artwork began with hand drawing, airbrushing and photography before being scanned and developed digitally in Photoshop and Corel Painter. Each element was carefully created and assembled to produce the finished composition.
This is an original, stylised interpretation rather than an exact representation of a particular Rickenbacker 325 Capri.
Original artwork by Charlie Poole ©
I studied numerous examples of the Rickenbacker 325 and combined selected features to create this imaginary instrument. The artwork began with hand drawing, airbrushing and photography before being scanned and developed digitally in Photoshop and Corel Painter. Each element was carefully created and assembled to produce the finished composition.
This is an original, stylised interpretation rather than an exact representation of a particular Rickenbacker 325 Capri.
Original artwork by Charlie Poole ©
07
The Beatles at Blackpool Night Out – 1 August 1965
The Beatles performing on “Blackpool Night Out” on 1 August 1965, captured in a genuine original photograph acquired by my father and preserved within my private collection.
The image has been reproduced from the original 35mm negative, which is of exceptional quality considering the photographic technology available during the 1960s. Although other press photographers may have captured similar moments, this particular image remained unseen and unpublished in the public domain.
The negative was carefully scanned at high resolution and digitally enhanced in Photoshop where necessary. Some original marks and blemishes have deliberately been retained to preserve the photograph’s character, authenticity and historical integrity.
A genuine moment from the remarkable story of The Beatles.
Charlie Poole Archive ©
The image has been reproduced from the original 35mm negative, which is of exceptional quality considering the photographic technology available during the 1960s. Although other press photographers may have captured similar moments, this particular image remained unseen and unpublished in the public domain.
The negative was carefully scanned at high resolution and digitally enhanced in Photoshop where necessary. Some original marks and blemishes have deliberately been retained to preserve the photograph’s character, authenticity and historical integrity.
A genuine moment from the remarkable story of The Beatles.
Charlie Poole Archive ©
08
The Beatles at Forest Hills Stadium, New York – 1964 Archive Collection
A unique archive composition commemorating The Beatles’ appearances at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, New York, on 28 and 29 August 1964.
The artwork brings together genuine original photographs acquired by my father, along with an original ticket and programme from the concerts. All the photographs were reproduced from original 35mm negatives preserved within my private collection.
The negatives are of exceptional quality considering the photographic technology available during the 1960s. They were carefully scanned at high resolution and digitally enhanced in Photoshop where necessary. Some original marks and blemishes have deliberately been retained to preserve the character, authenticity and historical integrity of the photographs.
Together, the photographs, ticket and programme create a tangible record of an extraordinary moment in the story of The Beatles.
Original artwork and archive photographs by Charlie Poole ©
The artwork brings together genuine original photographs acquired by my father, along with an original ticket and programme from the concerts. All the photographs were reproduced from original 35mm negatives preserved within my private collection.
The negatives are of exceptional quality considering the photographic technology available during the 1960s. They were carefully scanned at high resolution and digitally enhanced in Photoshop where necessary. Some original marks and blemishes have deliberately been retained to preserve the character, authenticity and historical integrity of the photographs.
Together, the photographs, ticket and programme create a tangible record of an extraordinary moment in the story of The Beatles.
Original artwork and archive photographs by Charlie Poole ©
09
Abbey Road Street Sign – Beatles-Inspired Art
An original Beatles-inspired montage celebrating the world-famous Abbey Road street sign.
The aged brick wall was photographed at the end of my own garden, while the original street-sign photograph and supporting textures came from my personal photographic library. These elements were combined and developed in Photoshop, with new lettering and graphic details added to create the finished artwork.
The Beatles-style lettering and silhouette figures were drawn by me in Photoshop, making this a unique interpretation of one of the most recognisable locations in music history.
Original artwork and photography by Charlie Poole ©
The aged brick wall was photographed at the end of my own garden, while the original street-sign photograph and supporting textures came from my personal photographic library. These elements were combined and developed in Photoshop, with new lettering and graphic details added to create the finished artwork.
The Beatles-style lettering and silhouette figures were drawn by me in Photoshop, making this a unique interpretation of one of the most recognisable locations in music history.
Original artwork and photography by Charlie Poole ©
10
Rickenbacker Guitar with Union Jack and Legendary Musicians
An original music artwork featuring a Rickenbacker-style guitar decorated with the Union Jack and surrounded by the names of musicians famously associated with Rickenbacker instruments.
The image began with hand drawing, airbrushing and photography before being scanned and developed in Photoshop and Corel Painter. Each part of the guitar was carefully created and digitally assembled to form the finished composition.
The aged brick-wall background came from my own photographic library and is, in fact, the wall at the end of our rear garden. This is a stylised artistic interpretation rather than an exact representation of a particular Rickenbacker model.
I included as many celebrated Rickenbacker players as space allowed—so apologies if your favourite is missing!
Original artwork and photography by Charlie Poole ©
The image began with hand drawing, airbrushing and photography before being scanned and developed in Photoshop and Corel Painter. Each part of the guitar was carefully created and digitally assembled to form the finished composition.
The aged brick-wall background came from my own photographic library and is, in fact, the wall at the end of our rear garden. This is a stylised artistic interpretation rather than an exact representation of a particular Rickenbacker model.
I included as many celebrated Rickenbacker players as space allowed—so apologies if your favourite is missing!
Original artwork and photography by Charlie Poole ©
11
The Beatles at Forest Hills Stadium, New York – 28 August 1964
The Beatles performing at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, New York, on 28 August 1964 during their 1964 North American tour.
This genuine original photograph was acquired by my father and is reproduced from the original 35mm negative preserved within my private collection. The quality of the negative is exceptional considering the photographic technology available during the 1960s.
Although other press photographers may have captured similar moments, this particular photograph remained unseen and unpublished in the public domain. The negative was carefully scanned at high resolution and digitally enhanced in Photoshop where necessary.
Some original marks and blemishes have deliberately been retained to preserve the character, authenticity and historical integrity of the photograph—a genuine moment from music history.
Charlie Poole Archive ©
This genuine original photograph was acquired by my father and is reproduced from the original 35mm negative preserved within my private collection. The quality of the negative is exceptional considering the photographic technology available during the 1960s.
Although other press photographers may have captured similar moments, this particular photograph remained unseen and unpublished in the public domain. The negative was carefully scanned at high resolution and digitally enhanced in Photoshop where necessary.
Some original marks and blemishes have deliberately been retained to preserve the character, authenticity and historical integrity of the photograph—a genuine moment from music history.
Charlie Poole Archive ©
- Rickenbacker Guitar – You’re on Fire with a Rick
- Paul Weller Rickenbacker 330 – The Jam Inspired Guitar Art - WHAAM
- The Last Riff – Final Live Performance, 2018
- The Beatles, Cilla Black, Billy J. Kramer & The Searchers – Birmingham, 1963
- Pete Townshend Rickenbacker Guitar – The Who Inspired Art
- John Lennon Rickenbacker 325 Capri Guitar Art
- The Beatles at Blackpool Night Out – 1 August 1965
- The Beatles at Forest Hills Stadium, New York – 1964 Archive Collection
- Abbey Road Street Sign – Beatles-Inspired Art
- Rickenbacker Guitar with Union Jack and Legendary Musicians
- The Beatles at Forest Hills Stadium, New York – 28 August 1964
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