Eilonwy Portrait WIP

See the previous post, Eilonwy will likely get a reboot from a new set of MJ references.

Eilonwy the Archer

Another WIP from a set of reference photos. Like the other Prydainian portraits, I’m probably going to reboot Eilonwy from a new set of MJ references, especially now that I can find a more idealized version of her face that matches my headcanon. I don’t hate this one, though.

Taran WIP

This was from a reference photo that was part of several photos of a young man that was somewhat evocative of how I see Taran. Like the previous post about Fflewddur Flam, I’m probably going to re-invent Taran after some brainstorming and Midjourney assistance in generating reference images. My experience with using Midjourney as a reference generator was mainly for a Mat Cauthon image I’ll post soon. I ended up going through about 5+ dozen iterations and still didn’t get the perfect reference. I ended up using the pose from one and then adding multiple elements from my own imagination. All that to say my future Taran will look different. The other nice addition to Midjourney is that you can now create and save faces from images (photos, illustrations, etc.) so that you can use them for different poses and framing, but the face will remain consistent. Again, the goal is to do this from my own imagination, but it’s a process. Baby steps…

Fflewddur Fflam WIP

A blatant rip-off of a Janny Wurts cover that I planned on further adapting to fit FF the character. I’m now thinking of a complete re-invention. I’ve been able to use AI (Midjourney) to brainstorm and generate references and this may be a primary workflow until such time as I can reach a level of skill that I can draw completely from imagination. I use AI as a reference just like I would use reference photos or other artwork, but the creation on canvas is from my own hand, stylus, pencil, etc. I don’t generate artwork and then try and post it as my own. I find the technology fascinating and useful, but it doesn’t fill any of the creative impulse that actually creating something by your own hand does.

Manga Moving Pictures

This is probably the first image I published to social media, back in May 2022. It was my version of a long favorite image I’ve had on my computer, although the original features Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. I’ve never been able to figure out the original artist despite searching, but I always loved the image and associated with Aeyong. The original has been her profile image on Facebook for years. I’m not sure she even thinks about what the image means, but it’s still a favorite.

The Castle of Llyr Jean Leon Huen Rendition

Continuing the Prydain cover series, this was arguably my least successful of the three, despite the typical improvement over time and successive projects. I think this was one where I was getting tired of the image and just wanted to move on. Every project has completely new elements to me as an illustrator, for example, cat fur among a few other things. I’m still struggling with some of these basics even today. Each subsequent project does provide some new experience to grow on, but the pace of improvement can be slow.

The Book of Three Jean Leon Huens Cover Rendition

Not my first drawing, but my first artwork that I “published” and shared on various social media back in June 2022, almost a year to the day.