This is a Tabletop RPG based on Battlecruiser Alamo with all of the artwork I’ve done for Richard Tongue’s books. It’s an artbook featuring my work and a game based on the incredible future universe and stories of Richard Tongue. Published by Shades Of Vengeance.
All the art has been inspired in one way or another by the following amazing and incredible artists (in no particular order ) and I have to thank them: Todd Lockwood, Jim Burns, Chris Foss, Chris Archilleos, Peter Elson, Roger Dean, Frank Frazetta, Peter A Jones and many more, without whom I would be painting landscapes.
Just found out “Union Station 1, 2 and 3” bundle, hit number one on Amazon’s “Humorous Science Fiction” Chart! And “Union Station 1″ is number two! ” While Union Station 13″ is number Four on the chart. Just wow…
Well done E.M. Foner!
Following the theme of the first book “Child’s Play“, Guerin asked me to show how the main character (and possibly the whole of Earth) is punished for their bad behavior by the Alien Race, who guide human advancement in the background- Mainly through the actions of Guerin’s Nemesis, Julie of the Bree. I decided to take the viewpoint of a child being told off by their mother:
The book is on sale here and if you get there quick enough it’s free and it’s a great read.
Once again you can see many of my influences there. My buddy Jim Burns (alien tech and just pure astounding difference) , Chris Foss and Peter Elson (for the sheer massive scale and detail they can imbue in their work), Peter A. Jones ( for the dynamism and the colour), Todd Lockwood (whose painting technique and compositional sense astounding to me) and once again Frank Frazetta (who achieves sexy, and dynamic with sheer class).
I really enjoy working on Richard’s Tongues Space opera covers. This time he asked me to do whatever I wanted and he’d use it as inspiration so I did a Dyson Sphere. It was something I tried to do 30 odd years ago but never finished so this gave me the chance finally produce this.
You can probably recognise some hefty influence from people such as Chris Foss, Jim Burns, Peter Elson, Angus McKie and Peter A. Jones to name but a few. Those people are like Gods to me.
“I’ve seen your work for E. M. Foner’s Union Station series and I think your style is exactly what I am looking for. I have the concept for what I want, based on an event in the book, and it does include a beautiful woman which I want to be sexy, innocent, funny but not sexual. That is why I think you’re work on Union Station is spot on.”
I liked the sound of this and after reading the book the image almost created itself in my mind. It’s an unusual book that tells the tale of a very different alien abduction. The protagonist has a lot of extraordinary experiences to deal with and uses his razor sharp, yet gentle wit, to carry himself (and the reader) through the journey of a lifetime.
Guerin’s original idea was to have one of the main characters posed as I’ve shown her in front of the shuttle and while I liked this I was afraid it wouldn’t indicate enough of what the reader would experience so I decide to feature some of the more spectacular scenery from the book too and after I’d worked out a layout, we both agreed this was the way to go.
I’m sure if you care to look you’ll see some of the influences there. My buddy Jim Burns (he’s so good at alien tech and aliens in general that I always have to look through his stuff just try and get into that headspace) , Chris Foss (for the sheer massive scale he can imbue in his work), Peter A. Jones ( for the dynamism and the colour), Todd Lockwood (whose painting technique and compositional sense astounding to me) and I’m of course trying to channel a little Frank Frazetta there (and I feel like maybe I succeeded a little this time).
I have to admit to being very pleased with the end result.
I’ve been working with E. M. Foner for a few years now.
He writes science fiction and Fantasy with a light comedic twist. In this case the cover for “Meghan’s Dragon” was to feature a young girl and her Dragon (who happens to also be extremely hungry all the time). And I have to indicate the humor found in the story.
Comedic illustration is never the easiest thing to do but when it’s done well it can be hilarious.
Mort Drucker
For me there is nobody better at this than Mort Drucker (famous mainly for his work in Mad Magazine).
So when faced with this challenge I looked at what he does. And what he does is incredible, he sets up situations and then punctuates the joke using the characters facial expressions. I also looked at the Dragons created by Todd Lockwood, which are all pretty scary and used that as a direction to avoid! So with that in mind I set about working on ideas and after several roughs and some to and fro between the Author and I/we finally settled on this.
My indicator that it works is that my kids laugh at it and immediately make up stories about what’s going on.. Mind you, They are both under 9 years old and they laugh at my jokes too, so maybe that’s not the best guide.. Anyway..
It’s probably the first time ever that I’ve welcomed people laughing at my work! Maybe I’m dragoning this post out a bit so I’ll end it here.
Working on a series of covers is always a challenge and it’s important to retain a strong identity and feel. So far so good I think.
This is the second cover for the new series of science fantasy/dark fantasy books by Brian Choi and Erica Carson. If you want to buy the book or want to know more about the Authors :
Today “Twelve Foot Ninja” Release their New album “Outlier”
And I produced the cover art. Credit where credit is due though, TFN always have very strong ideas and without their direction this cover would not have worked half as well.
And this is their new single which I also did the cover for:
I’ve been working with TFN since 2010 and in fact they were probably the main reason I was able to move my focus to illustration.
Initially they asked for artists to send a couple of comic panels as samples since they were intending to produce a comic and or graphic novel. I don’t normally do this, but for some reason I had a good feeling about this work and so I produced the following.
TFN sample P1
Two incredible things happened. First the amazing Liam Sharp (currently the lead artist on Wonder Woman for DC) and blew my mind with this comment on my deviant page and I have to say that is probably one of the most inspirational moments of my life. A moment when it felt like all the effort was worth it after what seemed like an eternity of losing battles. I’m happy to say that we also became friends (even if it is only on social media). If Liam had not left that message I suspect I would have gone down another path.
Me feeling awestruck. Liam Sharp
It only gets better… After I’d given up on hearing back about the samples, Stevic from TFN got in touch with me and told me I’d got the Job.
From that point on I worked with the band mainly through Stevic and Dave MacGregor (their manager who they work very closely with). things went well. I worked on a lot of concept with them, finally deciding on the look of the Twelve Foot Ninja and we produced the cover for their second CD
Now we moved on to the next major project. The album “Silent Machine”
Silent Machine Cover
It had 12 tracks and each would have it’s own 6 page comic making up a graphic novella to go with the album.
I produced all the art and wrote the adaptation from the original plot/novel. But I had to tie the stories in with the songs. They pretty much gave me a free hand so long as I stuck to the plot; and the songs are very inspiring which made it a lot easier. It was a hell of a job, on a tight deadline, but we did it!….And I’m very proud of this work. Here are some pages.
I’ve worked on lots of other projects with them over the years and they have done a lot to help me out through some difficult times. They are great people and I doubt I’d even be doing this if it wasn’t for them.
Oh and I’m also working on another new project with them right now so watch this space, it’s going to be awesome!
Twelve Foot Ninja
Outlier
All art produced for “Twelve Foot Ninja” is copyright “Twelve Foot Ninja” and is reproduced with permission.
So when Bryan Choe and Erica Carson got in touch with me to produce the covers for their new series of science fantasy/dark fantasy books I was thrilled.
They’d seen my work around and were particularly taken by the illustration I’d done for Secret War.
They liked the feel and wanted something that had that kind of atmosphere.
Now that particular illustration also marked a turning point for me because after it was published one of my all time heroes, Todd Lockwood gave it his stamp of approval.
Todd Lockwood. Me on the left looking dumbstruck.
Of course I was also now faced with the challenge of matching that level of work not once more, but three more times. I needn’t have worried though because after reading the first book inspiration came at once and working with Bryan and Erica was a pleasure. After I completed the art they said this:
“Our advance reviewers have told me they’re blown away by the cover!”
So now I can breath a sigh of relief…
Now, I’ve just got to do it twice more.. Oh the pressure !!!
If you want to buy the book or want to know more about the Authors :
