One of my favorite things to do is design new creatures and concepts. In The Maelstrom, there will be a number of new oddities, including cheshirewulfs, pinlegs, dreadnaughts, Stygian crows, etc. When I'm writing a new creature into a scene, it's important that I have a sense of what it looks like. That's when I reach for a pencil and start sketching.

While I like the book's illustrations to have an old fashioned feel to them, I'll confess that technology makes it much easier to experiment with concepts, color, etc. For this creature - the notorious Stygian crow - I began with a quick pencil sketch (15-20 minutes) that I then scanned into my computer. Using Photoshop, I then gave the creature an underlying paint job and then added some textural details and color on top so that it wo [...]
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So here I am - working away on the manuscript while New York shakes off winter and eases into spring. Some nice days lately, blooming flowers, crowded ice cream shops, and strollers, strollers everywhere.

I find myself staring at strollers quite a bit (and probably frightening the parents). My wife and I are expecting our baby boy in less than two months now and the reality of becoming a father is starting to set in. We've been tackling a project each week - putting up drapes, building a crib, attending birthing classes, etc. Babies are complicated creatures who need a lot of stuff...who knew?!? We're very excited to welcome our little guy into the world and no...he will not be named Max ;)

But enough of that stuff - let's talk Maelstrom! I've been racing against the baby to [...]
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Sketch of the Day:  Here's a sketch I'm working on for the frontispiece of The Fiend and the Forge.  The frontispiece is the illustration that goes right inside the cover and is thus critical as an attention grabber and mood setter.  This scene is a powerful one in the book and I think could serve quite well if I can hammer out the final tweaks. 

On a more involved/complex drawing such as this, I'll work with pencil sketches, architectural models, and a digital drawing tablet to compose everything on the computer and experiment with different lighting, details, etc. before I'll commit to doing the final artwork by hand using pen and ink and water.  The computer is fantastic for [...]
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Here's a sketch of the day.  In The Fiend and the Forge (Book 3) many new buildings will grace Rowan's campus and Sanctuary.  While most are constructed to accommodate new businesses and residents, there are conspicuous exceptions.  For example, the building in this sketch is an embassy and Max McDaniels will give it a wide berth (when he can)....

Well, you may have noticed a dearth of postings.  There are many factors at work, not the least of which is I'm getting married next month.  In fact, February 27th is the big day - exactly one month from now.  Very exciting!

I never knew there were so many details when it came to marriage - paperwork, licenses, showers, meetings, floorplans, etc.  I blame my misconceptions on the existence of Las Vegas drive-through weddings.  Danielle and I will not be getting married in Las Vegas, but Chicago - where we both grew up.  Not only will we be a stone's throw from the Art Institute (where Max's adventures began), but my nephew, Michael, will deliver the wedding rings on a copy of The Hound of Rowan.

In many wa [...]
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