Repost from Pelgrane Press Announcements

The following is a repost from Pelgrane Press Announcements as described by my art director Rob Heinsoo:

A funny thing happened on the way to the Crown of Axis arena. Wade’s request for a cover image featuring two powerful female gladiators had been executed in style by Aaron McConnell:13Age_CrownofAxis_MockUP_Aoriginal sketch

For a change, Aaron decided to hand-paint the piece, old school instead of digital. That turned out to create a delivery problem. At first, the paints wouldn’t dry. Well, they dried a bit, but the yellow was taking a loooooong time. Then Aaron’s scanner tech couldn’t pick up the colors he’d painted with properly. Neither could Aaron’s photos.

EaselView-scaleddrying on the easel

So Aaron went over to Lee Moyer’s house, since they were working together on a different project and Lee has a Serious Scanner. And if you know Lee, you know Lee’s super-power—he had suggestions. They got the piece scanned and then worked together on the paints, turning a high-noon situation into an evening showdown. Aaron held onto the piece for another couple weeks, but he has overcome separation anxiety and is calling it done!

13Age_CrownofAxis_NightPainted_A-scaledCrown of Axis cover by Aaron McConnell, with paints assist by Lee Moyer

13 to 1

Here’s the conclusion of the 13th Age countdown in one swift post.

13…Attack on Boltstrike Pillar: the color version and the original charcoal drawing.

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12…Unpublished early concept drawing of Sorcerers of The Three (see the 13th Age GM Screen for an updated version)

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11…Pencil drawing of 2 halflings sharing a pipe in Twisp (toned final art on page 280 of the core book)

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10…The drawing for the cover of the core book on toned watercolor paper and a detail from the concept sketch.

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9…Detail of the original charcoal art for the Gnome class in the core book (page 68)

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8…An unwelcome guest in the king’s court. The painted version by Lee Moyer (found in 13 True Ways) and the original drawing.

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7…Adventurers went to heaven…after some faerie trouble. (Illustration on page 121 of 13 True Ways)

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6…Original drawing on toned paper (color version in 13 True Ways)

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5…Dance of the Dead. A drawing from 13 True Ways with some recent color alterations.

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4…Revised color on an illustration in the core book (page 40) and detail of the original drawing on toned paper.

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3…Kobold guardians of Drakkenhall.  Original acrylic painting for the illustration on page 127 of 13 True Ways.

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2…Darkness Horses from the forthcoming 13th Age in Glorantha.

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1…Unused concept drawing for the Battle Captain  seen on page 29 of 13 True Ways.

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Day 17

Day 17 of 13th Age at bundleofholding.com. The Island of Omen original charcoal drawing and the final art found on page 276 of the 13th Age Core Book (with some unusual yellow streaking in the photo…I can’t explain it other than to say strange things happen when you’re dealing with the Island of Omen).

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Counting down from 20…19…

13th Age products are going on sale for 20 days at bundleofholding.com, and for the occasion I’m posting 20 pieces daily that were drawn mainly for the core book or 13 True Ways.  Most will include the original pencil or charcoal art, but I plan to sneak in some other unpublished drawings along the way.  The sale started yesterday, so here’s No. 20 (a victorious half-orc gladiator) and No. 19 (a levitating, meditating monk), both from the core book.

NYCC Artist Alley A4, (“A” for Aaron, “4” for four double letters in my name)

 

If you’re in New York and headed for the Comic Con, you can find me in the Artist Alley at Booth A4.  I plan to be at the booth all 4 days interrupted only by a few events scheduled (see below).  Mike Smith, the co-author/brewer of The Comic Book Story of Beer will be joining me Saturday and Sunday. Come talk drawing and beer with us!

  • Saturday 10/8

I will be signing The Comic Book Story of Beer with Mike Smith at the PRH/Crown Booth #2210, Time: 3:30 pm

  • Sunday 10/9
Comics in Real Life
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location:   BookCon @ NYCC – 500 W 36th Street

  • Monday 10/10

Post-NYCC Author Coffee Klatsch

Time: 11:00AM-1:00PM (revolving door event)
Location: Random House offices—1745 Broadway, NYC 10019 (between 55th and 56th streets)
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The original ink drawing of this image of Dr Strange, the Home Brewer, will be included in the NYCC Charity Art Auction benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  The details are available at this link along with images of all the other contributions:http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/Events/NYCC-Charity-Art-Auction/

The Charity Auction is Saturday night (10/8) at 6:45pm in room 1A18. Below is the B/W original:

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In addition to selling books and original artwork at my Booth (A4), I also look forward to the opportunity to draw commissions.  Below are some examples of 13th Age drawings. Thanks for your time and attention.  Hope to see you at NYCC!

13th Age Game Master’s Screen+

I found some enticing images at 13thAge.com of the new GM Screen that I developed with Lee Moyer, along with the accompanying Resource Book that includes a couple of my new interior illustrations.  I enjoy these behind-the-screens shots of the printing process.  I’ve seen a fair amount of my work in print now, but have never had the opportunity to visit the printer as it comes off the press, so these snapshots are satisfying.

If you’re interested in pre-ordering you can do so HERE.

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