The frontispiece (the illustration right inside the front cover) is arguably the most important drawing in the entire book. It is often the first image a reader experiences and sets the tone for the story to come. When brainstorming The Maelstrom’s frontispiece, I wanted to create something that had an epic feel . . .
Learn MoreAt long last, here is the latest cover illustration for The Maelstrom. Cory Godbey has done a wonderful job once again and I think the drawing hints at some intriguing developments in the story. The central figure (and indeed this book’s central threat) is our old friend, Prusias. The latest I’ve heard . . .
Learn MoreThe text for The Maelstrom is finished, so these days I’m spending my time on the final artwork. I’ve completed all the sketches, so the trick now is to recreate them with pen and ink so that they’ll reproduce crisply. To do this, I’ll place the pencil sketch on a light box, . . .
Learn MoreIt’s always exciting to see The Tapestry translated into another language and to see foreign editions with alternate covers. Most recently, The Tapestry’s first book was translated into French where the series is called “The Golden Tapestry” and the first volume is titled “Rowan Academy” Here’s a peek at the cover, which . . .
Learn MoreAs I’ve been working on character studies for various illustrations, it occurred to me that we needed one for the mysterious, mercurial David Menlo. Here is our favorite one-handed Sorcerer looking intently at something unnameable while holding an antique thurible (a device for burning incense and used in many holy — or . . .
Learn MoreStill working on illustrations and recently did this character study of Max for one of the interior plates. We haven’t scene an entire drawing of Max like this in quite some time and thus it was fun to do. I’m working on one of David at the moment (as part of another, . . .
Learn MoreWorking in pen and ink requires a commitment – after all, there’s no erasing a mistake on the final art and it’s always been important to me that I have a finished piece of art (as opposed to simply a computer file). It’s truly a headache to have to start all over . . .
Learn MoreI’m still working away on drawings for The Maelstrom. Here’s a fun concept sketch for a baddie we’ll be meeting in the story…. Lots of fun to experiment with something in the Steampunk realm (what else would result when Prusias controls the Workshop?!?)
Learn MoreAny artist (or writer) loves to create new characters and creatures. In my case, the same goes for new buildings and settings. In my humble opinion, a setting is a character and can play an instrumental role in shaping the mood and tone of a story. There are many new sights and . . .
Learn MoreNow that my editor has the manuscript for The Maelstrom, I’m diving into the illustrations. At this stage, I’m working on pencil sketches for the chapter opening drawings. I used to just really rough out my basic premise, but I’ve learned that the more time I spend on the sketch, the better . . .
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