Witch Cottage

Some recent pencil activity - just for fun. I need to design a really good witch to go along with this cottage and make a complete picture. It could probably use some more trees around it too and some crows. I can't tell yet whether this is the home of a good witch or a nasty one. More drawing required.  :)

The Secret History of Hobgoblins

Two Illustrations from the soon to be released book, The Secret History of Hobgoblins by Templar Press in the UK. This was an absolutely terrific project to work on - really fun. It was written by Ari Berk who also wrote The Secret History of Giants a couple of years back which I was also lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work on. In Hobgoblins we're dealing with all the little critters, good and bad who may be found in and around the home. Above we have a wee goblin spreading mold up the walls and a rather more helpful chap banging the dents out of an old plate.

Wood Sprites - Recent Sketchbook

Wood Sprites - I'm still messing around with these ancient creatures. I have absolutely no time for this as I have several deadlines at the moment but I can't seem to pull myself away from these ideas. The pages are done during the in between moments, usually at the start or end of the day when I'm really feeling the need to put a bit more of myself down on paper. These drawings of course are simply stream of consciousness improvisations done completely from the imagination without any planning or reference - searching, searching, searching.... Boy would I ever love to paint one of these right now - hopefully soon :)

Eragon"s Guide to Alagaesis

This new Eragon book is finally out. It was at about this time last year that I was working on many of the drawings that went into this little volume. My job was to illustrate the people - the various races that live in Alagaesia. The villains were probably the most fun - these big nasty orc-like critters with ram horns. This was quite an enjoyable project to be a part of - a bit more time for the art would have made it perfect :).

Twigs and String - Faerie Witches

Some sketchbook activity from the past few days - planning for a personal piece I have absolutely no time for.
With these ones I'm really interested in their hair and drapery - flowing and morphing it all together - string, moss, spider web and twigs. I want them to look like they just animated right out of the ground.