I’ve got some unexpected wallpaper to share with you, but before doing so, here’s another reminder about that thing, that Kickstarter thing.
Now, about that wallpaper. I’m in the process of wallpapering my studio again, but I took a picture of the old papering job before I ripped it down. Take a look…
That’s some progress on the Gettysburg Address book. A glimmer of hope to those who are patiently waiting for me to finish this graphic novel.
Axis, City of Swords…capital of the Dragon Empire, one of the 7 Cities. Axis is a city of wonders, military power, and martial competition. Gladiatorial games, skirmishes between noble houses, and staged holy wars hone the fighting spirit of an empire built on conquest. –Text from the 13th Age Playtest
I think the comparison between gladiatorial games and Kickstarter is appropriate. “All or nothing” in both cases. The creative team behind 13th Age, myself included, has launched a Kickstarter campaign for an expansion book, 13 True Ways. Even though the 13th Age core book is in the post-production stage and won’t be available until after the Kickstarter for 13 True Ways is finished, despite the outcome, the core book is guaranteed to be an object of desire. So, please consider assisting the creative team in their pursuit to expand the 13th Age universe. 13th Age has been a a labor of love for all 4 collaborators, but we’re at a crossroads and need the financial support to keep it going. Thanks for your consideration. I hope you can join me in exclamation, “I am Spartacus!”
Sincerely,
In keeping with my previous “Behind-the-Illustration” posts, here’s an early sketch of the Half-Orc Gladiator at Axis:
The Prince of Shadows is part thief, part trickster, and part assassin. To some he is a hero; to others a villain. He has squandered the riches of the dwarves, murdered the hopes of a dragon, and plundered the dreams of a god. His exploits have changed the world, but none can tell you his ultimate goals or motives.–From the 13th Age icon teaser description.
The Prince of Shadows, our final icon. Who doesn’t love an international man of mystery? I do, and I certainly love how Lee Moyer painted this piece. I’m hesitant to post my pencils, because it makes me look like a slacker, but there’s a lot to be said for the less-is-more philosophy when it comes to evocative illustration. As I see it, RPG art is meant to stimulate the imaginations of those playing the game, and shadows can be useful in that endeavor. Speaking of RPG art, I’m delighted to announce that select pieces of interior art from 13th Age will be included in a show at Krab Jab Studio in Seattle. I plan to attend the reception on August 30th as it coincides with the weekend of PAX, but the show goes up August 11th. Here are the details. And here’s the promotional flyer:
Here are my comparatively uneventful pencils for the Prince of Shadows. (I’m glad Lee used his imagination!)
Here are some early thumbnails before we decided the Prince should go play outside.
And now a little teaser of things to come! Amidst this sea of thumbnails for the interior art of 13th Age (reduced to maddeningly illegible sizes) you’ll find the thumbnail for an illustration that relates to the Prince of Shadows. Check back for more excitement in the coming weeks as we rev up for the official release of 13th Age.
The Elf Queen rules the Court of Stars, the one place where wood elves, dark elves, and high elves come together as peers and allies instead of as rivals or enemies. Honed by centuries of experience, the Queen’s innate magic at least equals the Archmage’s spells.–From the 13th Age icon teaser description.
I am left with the final two Icons for my behind-the-illustration posts, and evidently I’ve been reluctant to finish them off (astute readers may have noticed that postings were delayed for over two weeks). But there are so many 13th Age illustrations yet to be revealed that I need not hesitate. The show is just beginning, in fact! The Elf Queen is Lee Moyer’s favorite icon, and I think that passion is easily recognized in his digital painting. She’s a wonder to behold, and if Lee hadn’t already claimed her she would probably be my favorite illustration, but I’m going to be a tease and say that next week’s icon is my favorite. The Elf Queen was another icon that took some “ratcheting up” on my end. The progression of thumbnail to final pencils ends up looking like a narrative of the elf queen from adolescence to queen. Lee and I had a chuckle over the thumbnail of the “schoolgirl” elf queen that I knew wasn’t going to work, but submitted because she was just so darn cute! Take a look at the thumbnail and try to tell me she’s not about to burst into song. She’s the Snow White of elfdom in that stage, but as you can see her true form is much closer to The Queen, minus several degrees of vanity, one would hope.
The Great Gold Wyrm is the world’s protector and the inspiration for holy orders of paladins and independent heroes. Although the Gold Wyrm’s physical form seals the gap that prevents the Abyss from erupting into the world, its dreams and the agents it employs still move through the world, helping those who will fight and even die for what’s right. –From the 13th Age icon teaser description
The Great Gold Wyrm brought to life by Lee Moyer’s mastery of digital painting. This was another one that floored me when I first saw it. You’ll notice that the painting really goes beyond my pencil drawing (below). It’s not just thousands of scales for vanity’s sake, though. I’m sure in the modern world of dragons there are those who have their scales multiplied to fulfill some concept of beauty, but the reason the Gold Wyrm has this many scales is simply because he’s a dragon of gigantic proportions. A little gnome could probably strap a saddle on one of those scales for riding…or rather he could try.
*Here’s a bonus sketch for everyone who has been tolerating my corny commentary in these posts. Thank you for not breathing fire on me:P
The Crusader is the armored fist of the Dark Gods. So long as followers of the gods of light stay the hell out of his way, the Crusader turns his wrath against the demons that would destroy the world his own gods want to rule. Follow the Crusader if you must win at any cost. –From the 13th Age icon teaser description.
The Crusader digitally painted by Lee Moyer. I’m going to let the images do the talking this week because Lee and I are busting our humps* to finish the interior art for 13th Age, now available for Pre-Order.
*Oh, you didn’t know I have a hunchback? It’s common among illustrators. And that structure behind the Crusader…that’s my studio.
My pencil drawing:
My thumbnail sketch:
The Three were among the first dragons to walk the world. The Red is a living engine of destruction. The Blue is a sorceress, perhaps even the original mother of all sorcery. The Black is queen of shadows and assassins. Unlike the Great Gold Wyrm, who must fight alone, the Three have learned to join forces. –From the 13th Age icon teaser description.
Behold The Three digitally painted by Lee Moyer. Not only are these mamas ancient, they are also enormous. Look for the Where’s Waldo Priests for a sense of…”scale” (sorry). This behind-the-illustration post gives you a much closer view of those guys, but they are ultimately inconsequential in comparison to the awesome majesty of The Three!
My pencil drawing (after receiving Lee’s request for plenty of “crunchy pencil detail.”) You’ll notice that my choice of color for the dragons was different than the final. Decisions, decisions – all part of the process!
And here’s the promised closeup of our dark priests, Larry, Curly and Moe:
As an extra bonus here’s an early thumbnail where I happened to accidentally not draw most of the dragons’ anatomy. Hmm…you’d think I was hesitant to draw thousands of scales or something. I haven’t confirmed this with Lee, but looking at this image and the final, it’s my guess that he may have appropriated this version of the Blue sorceress dragon in the final. Ah, Process, you are the Black dragon cloaked in vague shadows until you strike as quickly and decisively as a deadly assassin!
Aaron McConnell 