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.

Recent Pencil Activity - Trolls

The last post of the year. Some recent prep work for projects coming up in the new year. Trolls and Giants and Witches - fun !
Happy New Year :)

larry

Recent Pencil Activity - Giants

More giants.

Recent Pencil Activity - Witches

Just thinking about witches - :)

Fossil

Here I'm playing with a concept I first came upon while reading The Hobbit many years ago. The idea is that Trolls will turn to stone if hit by direct sun light. That's what happened here. This poor fellow has been there for decades and a local maiden has decided to turn his back into her thinking and day dreaming place. He's covered in moss with vines and creepers making their way up his arms and torso - he'll be there forever and one day her daughter will discover this very same place for herself.

I don't get much time these days to do personal work but I did manage this one a couple of weeks ago. It may be a while before I get the chance again despite a ready cache of ideas just waiting to be painted. This one is gouache and watercolour on cold pressed paper.

Seasons Greetings all.

larry

Things that go Bump

Our main graphics computer has been acting up lately and I haven't been able to scan anything new in the last couple of weeks - very frustrating because I have just completed a personal piece I'm rather happy with and can't share. In the meantime I'll post a couple from a recent project concerning mythical characters that should be out in the spring.
I hope to have something new up shortly.

Seasons greetings everyone.

The Future of Fantasy Art

I hope you can excuse a little horn blowing :)
I was fortunate enough to have been asked to contribute a couple of pictures to this fabulous new volume of Fantasy Art. The book looks terrific if I do say so myself. The reproductions are fabulous and the scope and variety of the art is very impressive.
The title of the book is The "Future" of Fantasy Art. I wonder what they would say if they knew that many of my favourite artists were painting over 100 years ago and in some cases 300 years ago.

Sisters

I've been picking away at this one for the last year or so. Making subtle adjustments here and there - so subtle that I'm likely the only one that will notice them. This is the process nevertheless and I'm finally starting to feel a bit better about this one. I'm wondering now if I need to go in and really smooth out the flesh tones or if it's okay as it is. This was only intended to be a simple watercolour but once I get this far with the painting I often want to take it all the way and render everything right down to "the shine on the rose thorn" as they say. Will that make it a better picture ? Maybe. I'll have to continue to live with it and think about it.

Recent Sketchbook - Faeries 3

Still more sketch work - searching for ideas. The giant carrying the tree with the wood nymphs riding along feels like it could be an idea worth trying if I can work out how some of the finer details might come together - keep thinking - keep drawing :)

Recent Sketchbook - Faeries 2

More drawing - :) That first one was another one of the many ideas I had for the Absinthe Faerie. The other 2 are simple bic pen scribbles.

Recent Sketchbook - Faeries

Some recent sketch activity. I think there are a couple here from my Absinthe Faerie picture but mostly just drawing for fun with the idea that I just might get an idea for something a little more finished.