Artwork
Sample Book Illustrations
The Hound of Rowan: Book 1 of The Tapestry
Evils Old and New – In which the reader meets a hag, an ogre, and hear of an ancient conflict. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 3.5” x 4.5”
The Time to Choose – In which Max McDaniels has a profound decision to make (fortunately Lucy the piglet is there!). Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 3.5” x 4.5”
Fibs and a Fiddle – In which Max and his friends visit Mr. Morrow and hear both tales and a—ribbit!—song. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 3.5” x 4.5”
A Golden Apple in the Orchard – In which the Enemy is too close for comfort. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 3.5” x 4.5”
Smugglers on the North Atlantic – In which Max makes an unwanted and unintended voyage. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 3.5” x 4.5”
Plate: Original Map of Rowan – In which we have a map of Rowan Academy, sans labels (which were added later via Photoshop). Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
Plate: Frontispiece – In which we see Max McDaniels at Rowan Academy while a stranger watches from the woods. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
Plate: A Chance Meeting with YaYa –
In which Max McDaniels and David Menlo encounter YaYa in the Sanctuary. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
Plate: A Vye on the Docks – In which Max McDaniels sees a chilling sight on the Rowan docks. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
The Second Siege: Book 2 of The Tapestry
Mild Mannered Mr. Sikes – In which Max and his friends make the acquaintance of an otherworldly servant. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Mild Mannered Mr. Sikes —
Auntie Mum – In which Mum’s big sister, Bellagrog, arrives at Rowan Academy. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Witch – In which an unexpected visitor arrives at Rowan Academy. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Clockwork Marvels – In which Max and his companions visit the Frankfurt Workshop. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
A Man at the Door – In which the Workshop is visited by an uninvited army that includes an ancient evil. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Among the Sidh – In which Max and David Menlo continue their quest in another realm. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Tale of Deirdre Fallow – In which we hear the story of a former Rowan student who left behind her family on an urgent errand. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Dawn Skiff – In which Max experiences a profound loss. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Plate: Arriving in the Sidh – In which Max and David Menlo arrive in the Sidh aboard the Kestrel. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
Plate: The Archives – In which Max first visits the Archives, deep beneath Rowan’s campus. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
The Fiend and the Forge: Book 3 of The Tapestry
The Moon Has a Face – In which Rowan adapts to a world that is changed. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Here be Monsters – In which Max encounters a fearsome foe in the wilderness and sees firsthand where humans rank in the new social order. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Where the Creek Narrows – In which Max makes a terrible discovery. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
A Great Red Dragon – In which we spend time with the demon-king, Prusias. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Gilded Gràvenmuir – In which Rowan must suffer the presence of their Enemy. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Princess Mina and the Goblins – In which Max entertains the farmhouse children with a tale about quiet Mina. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Plate: Frontispiece (Bragha Rùn) – In which the gladiator, Bragha Rùn, prepares to do battle with Myrmidon. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
Plate: The Ride to Blys – In which Max travels to Blys aboard a fiery carriage. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
Plate: Meeting the Fomorian – In which David tries to solve the Fomorian giant’s riddle while Max and Cooper look on. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
Walpurgisnacht – In which the demons celebrate a high holiday and Astaroth makes an unpleasant discovery. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Maelstrom: Book 4 of The Tapestry
The Xebec – In which Max McDaniels returns from his scouting to find a strange ship in Rowan’s harbor. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Laqueus Diaboli – In which David Menlo performs a dangerous and troubling spell. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Madam Petra and the Pinlegs – In which we meet Madam Petra and a creepy-crawly invention of the Workshop. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Knife, Spear, and Storm – In which Max McDaniels faces his own version of Scylla and Charybdis. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Wanderer – In which we learn more of Astaroth’s strange and disturbing history. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Under a Mackerel Sky – In which our heroes set sail upon Ormenheid to begin another quest. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Plate: Max Astride YaYa – In which we see Max McDaniels and the ancient kirin, YaYa, in their battle fury. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
Plate: The Ambassador – In which we see Prusias’s ambassador unmasked along with its attendant malakhim. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
Plate: The Dreadnoughts – In which we see the advance of Prusias’s devastating dreadnoughts. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
The Red Winter: Book 5 of The Tapestry
A Crownless King – In which we see a scheming King Prusias sporting wounds from his latest battle. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Shrope Hovel – In which our heroes visit the ancestral home of the Shropes; Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Boy Who Came to Rodurbân – In which Scathach reminisces on Max McDaniels’s time in the Sidh. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Mysterious Mr. Menlo – In which David Menlo meditates on war (and drinks a great deal of coffee). Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Flotsam and Jetsam – In which Prusias’s monsters assault Rowan’s fleet (in HD!). Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Nether – In which David Menlo visits the dangerous realm of Nether. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Blood Magic – In which Max McDaniel and Scathach visit the Fomorian. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Conspirators’ Ball – In which Connor Lynch hosts a fabulous—and dangerous—party who guests include the rakshasa, Lord Grael. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Professional – In which William Cooper and his companions seek to infiltrate the Workshop. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Juggernaut – In which Max McDaniels is transformed. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Giant’s Song – In which the Fomorian receives a mighty gift. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Red Winter Treaty – In which important matters are a discussed. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Plate: The Morrígan – In which we stumble upon the Morrígan in her element. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 9” x 6”
Impyrium
Hazel – In which we meet Hazel Faeregine and her impatient tutor, Rascha. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Transcontinental – In which Hob makes a journey with Mr. Burke. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Tutor and the Typhon – In which Hazel gets a new tutor and meets the Lirlander ambassador. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Direwood – In which Hazel and Hob visit the strange and ancient Direwood. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Reaper’s Tomb – In which Hazel experiences dark echoes from the past. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
House Blades – In which a dangerous duel is fought. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Lingua Mystica – In which we learn of magic—both its joys and dangers. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The May Ball – In which Hob attends a party and plays a prank. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Interview – In which Hob makes a startling realization. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
The Road to Talysin – In which Hazel and Hob make a sacred pilgrimage across the demon-haunted seas. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker – In which we meet a dragon and learn the secret behind a nursery rhyme. Crow quill pen and India ink on hot-press watercolor paper; 5” x 6.5”
Map of Impyrium – Map of Impyrium. Comprised of hand-drawn maps and rondels that were digitally painted and composited in Photoshop.
Map of the Sacred Isle – Map of the Sacred Isle on which the Divine Empress and Houses Major reside. Comprised of hand-drawn maps and rondels that were digitally painted and composited in Photoshop.
Map of Impyria (Capital City) – Map of Impyria, the empire’s capital city located on the mainland. Comprised of hand-drawn maps and rondels that were digitally painted and composited in Photoshop.
Sketchbook
Concept sketch (pencil on paper) of a possible setting for a future book
Digitally altered version of the previous sketch (using Procreate on the iPad) to show it in a state of ruin
Charcoal pencil sketch of Blys, stronghold of the demon-king Prusias in The Tapestry series
Thoroughly odd pencil sketch of a fantasy creature bred to light one’s way through a haunted wood
Digital drawing (Procreate on iPad) of Clarence, a character from The Witchstone, done in the style of Hergé who illustrated the classic Tin-Tin comics.
Digital doodle (Procreate on iPad) of a clockwork imp in a fantastical workshop
Ballpoint pen sketch for an illustration plate in the Tapestry’s third book, The Fiend and the Forge
Pencil sketches (with digital highlights) of “drogres”—a horrid hybrid beast that may appear in future books
More pencil sketches of “drogres” but—pay close attention—this time they’re in profile!
Pencil sketches for some chapter illustrations in the Tapestry’s third book, The Fiend and the Forge
Pencil sketch for Prusias’s “gargoyles” in The Red Winter next to a version that’s been digitally shaded
Large pencil sketch of a goblin on toned paper with a pencil to give you a sense of scale
Digital drawing (Procreate in iPad) of my hand from various angles. A great exercise for any artist.
Pencil sketch on rough watercolor paper of Impyrium’s Hazel Faeregine alongside her tutor, Dame Rascha
Pencil sketch (digitally shaded) of Hob Smythe, one of Impyrium’s two protagonists
Composite of various “homunculi” I created while working on Impyrium. Each started as a pencil drawing that was scanned and was painted digitally using Photoshop.
Pencil sketch of a chapter illustration for Impyrium, showing the Lirlander ambassador
Pencil sketch of a chapter illustration for Impyrium showing a manta ray as our heroes make a pilgrimage
Pencil sketch (digitally shaded/highlighted) of Impyrium’s coat of arms showcasing the Faeregine crest
Pencil sketches of chapter illustrations for Impyrium
A mythical Kirin as a stained-glass image. Line drawing in pencil/digitally painted in Photoshop
Pencil sketch of a setting for my “Truffle/Drogres” concept. Colored tints added on the iPad using Procreate
Pencil sketch of “Madam Catfish”—a mysterious figure from my adult debut, The Witchstone
Digital sketch (Photoshop) of the Celtic goddess, the Morrígan, for the frontispiece in The Red Winter
An updated version of the Rowan seal I designed for the new editions of The Tapestry (Procreate on iPad)
Pencil sketch of Scathach, the warrior-maiden from Skye. Luath Press licensed the sketch for the cover of George MacPherson’s book, Sgiath: Amazon Queen of Skye
One in a series of digital drawings depicting Tapestry locations in stained glass. Here we have the Fomorian giant’s magical caverns beneath the Isle of Mann
One in a series of digital drawings depicting Tapestry locations in stained glass. Here we have the magically-configured dorm room of Max McDaniels and David Menlo in the Manse at Rowan Academy.
One in a series of digital drawings depicting Tapestry locations in stained glass. Here we have the campus of Rowan Academy, a school of magic in what used to be the United States
One in a series of digital drawings depicting Tapestry locations in stained glass. Here we have the Sanctuary, a hidden refuge for magical creatures at Rowan Academy
One in a series of digital drawings depicting Tapestry locations in stained glass. Here we have Shrope Hovel, ancestral home to a prominent family of hags
One in a series of digital drawings depicting Tapestry locations in stained glass. Here we have Tartarus, a dangerous realm where shades of the damned are imprisoned
Pencil sketch of a talking truffle and various elements for a humorous children’s story I’ve been kicking around
One in a series of digital drawings depicting scenes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—a foundational text for myself and many fantasy authors. Most show scenes or characters that were never included in film or television adaptations. This depicts Saruman and Wormtongue’s moment of reckoning as our returning Hobbits drive them and their henchmen from the Shire. Drawn on an iPad Pro with an Apple pencil and the app Procreate
One in a series of digital drawings depicting scenes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—a foundational text for myself and many fantasy authors. Most show scenes or characters that were never included in film or television adaptations. This depicts Hobbiton’s new Party Tree (replacing its predecessor that was cut down by Saruman) planted by Sam Gamgee using Middle-earth’s last Mallorn seed given to him by Galadriel. Drawn on an iPad Pro with an Apple pencil and the app Procreate
One in a series of digital drawings depicting scenes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—a foundational text for myself and many fantasy authors. Most show scenes or characters that were never included in film or television adaptations. This depicts the Black Riders being swept away by the magicked waters at the Ford of Bruinen near Rivendell. What makes this depiction different from movie depictions is that it includes the Elf lord, Glorfindel, whose shining presence can be seen ashore. Drawn on an iPad Pro with an Apple pencil and the app Procreate
One in a series of digital drawings depicting scenes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—a foundational text for myself and many fantasy authors. Most show scenes or characters that were never included in film or television adaptations. This depicts Frodo Baggins speaking with the High Elf, Gildor Inglorien, after a narrow escape from Black Riders during their flight from the Shire. Drawn on an iPad Pro with an Apple pencil and the app Procreate
One in a series of digital drawings depicting scenes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—a foundational text for myself and many fantasy authors. Most show scenes or characters that were never included in film or television adaptations. This drawing depicts Gandalf the Grey encountering his fellow Wizard, Radagast the Brown, on the Greenway. Drawn on an iPad Pro with an Apple pencil and the app Procreate
One in a series of digital drawings depicting scenes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—a foundational text for myself and many fantasy authors. Most show scenes or characters that were never included in film or television adaptations. This drawing, however, is simply of Gandalf—a familiar figure—because, why not? Drawn on an iPad Pro with an Apple pencil and the app Procreate
One in a series of digital drawings depicting scenes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—a foundational text for myself and many fantasy authors. Most show scenes or characters that were never included in film or television adaptations. This drawing shows a frightened Hobbit, Fredegar Bolger, peering out the door of Frodo Baggins’s newly acquired house, Crickhollow, as the Black Riders close in. Drawn on an iPad Pro with an Apple pencil and the app Procreate
One in a series of digital drawings depicting scenes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—a foundational text for myself and many fantasy authors. Most show scenes or characters that were never included in film or television adaptations. This drawing shows the Hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin being rescued by Tom Bombadil from the tomb of an undead Barrow Wight. Drawn on an iPad Pro with an Apple pencil and the app Procreate
One in a series of digital drawings depicting Tapestry locations in stained glass. Here we have the Workshop, an isolated, technocentric society whose cities are found miles underground
My original concept for what would become The Witchstone’s cover. If you look closely, you can find not only Maggie Drakeford’s profile, but New York City and the country of Italy!
Drawing of the Witchstone/Witchwood that I used as the cover for my “Bible”—aka the 60-page story and world-building document in which I laid out the book’s storyline, history of the Drakeford Curse, cosmology and workings of Hell’s various departments, etc.
I digitally drew this backdrop for an animated trailer I made for The Witchstone launch in which a copy of the book falls from the sky down through the city and sewers to the fiery pits below!
An early pencil sketch I made trying to envision the Witchwood and the otherworldly monument at its center. My conception of the Witchstone would change, but this sketch was a vital part of my early process