Repost from Pelgrane Press Announcements

February 21, 2020May 5, 2021 | Aaron McConnell

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_A original 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-scaled drying 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-scaled Crown of Axis cover by Aaron McConnell, with paints assist by Lee Moyer

Preview 13 True Ways

July 3, 2014 | Aaron McConnell

Pelgrane Press offers a Preview of 13 True Ways and it includes this double page spread. Enjoy!

First Look

May 30, 2014 | Aaron McConnell

Pelgrane Press offered a tantalizing preview of the layout from 13 True Ways today. Check it out HERE. (Don’t strain your eyes too hard…I’ll post larger images of those illustrations to my blog soon;-)

13th Age Core Book Preview

August 20, 2013August 21, 2013 | Aaron McConnell

The 13th Age Core Book is finally available from Pelgrane Press! Buy It Here! The book has been long anticipated by some patient folks (it was originally slated for release in December 2012), but all new to others. The game has been available as a PDF for months, but the official book release was at Gen Con this past weekend. It has been rewarding to see numerous snapshots of the cover pop up on the web posted by people who pre-ordered and received the book by mail. I’ve seen very few pictures of the book’s interior, though, so I thought I’d make use of my blog and post a few shots of what you see inside when you crack that cover. Much of the polish and beauty of the interior can be attributed to Lee Moyer who meticulously art directed the overall design, created the icon symbols and various tiles, and painted many of my illustrations. In addition, Chris Huth is responsible for the stunning page layouts. It’s a $45 dollar book, but at 320 pages and over 60 illustrations, this is a book that even the Archmage would add to his library of mystical tomes.

Here’s a Preview…

13thAge_Core_Pics 021 13thAge_Core_Pics 018 13thAge_Core_Pics 006 13thAge_Core_Pics 016

Those pictures with my hand may just seem like an opportunity to fulfill my dream to be a hand model, but I’m trying to showcase the Icon Ring that came with my comp. An outer piece rotates and allows the bearer of the ring to randomly select an icon during key moments of game play. A few of the illustrations showcase characters who in some way are representing a relationship that they have with one of the Icons. Buy the book and try to find all the connections…then it’s time to start making up your own! Game On!

Hard times for a fellow freelancer

March 14, 2013 | Aaron McConnell

Pelgrane Press, the publisher of the yet to be released 13th Age core book, posted some unfortunate news earlier today concerning the layout designer for the book:

Chris Huth has produced excellent art and layout for Pelgrane Press including Ashen Stars, Night’s Black Agents and 13th Age. Last week his apartment suffered extensive damage from a fire. (You can read more news reports here and here.) Luckily, no one was hurt, but he and his partner have lost their home and most of their possessions. His computer and software – the tools of his trade – and all backup drives have been destroyed with very little chance of recovery. Chris is sleeping in friends’ houses while he searches for somewhere to live.

Please go to the Pelgrane site to find out how you can help Chris and what this means for the 13th Age release schedule. Below is a small sample of Chris’ layout work for the book:

Emerald City Comic Con 2013 Art Book

February 19, 2013 | Aaron McConnell

I’m happy to announce that I have a drawing in the Monsters & Dames 2013 Art Book, available exclusively at Emerald City Comic Convention, March 1-3. This piece depicts an encounter between the Spider Cleric and a halfling rogue. The Spider Cleric is featured with an illustration in the 13th Age core book, but the spiders haven’t hatched from their eggs in the core book illustration. I suppose technically this image is a spoiler! But that is appropriate for the character. And speaking of characters, I’m still open for commissions between now and ECCC. Any of the characters that you have seen in my 13th Age Gallery or on the Pelgrane website or the 13 True Ways Kickstarter are fair game for commission requests. Yes, even the Devil of Fangs.

In addition to this image being included in the Monsters & Dames 2013 Art Book, it will also be a part of the ECCC Charity Art Auction benefiting Seattle Children’s Hospital. The auction is held during the convention (maybe Saturday evening?), and not only will this image be available as an 11″x14″ print, I will also include the original drawing of the Spider Cleric. This is a charcoal drawing on 14″x17″ Strathmore paper.