Flower power

One of my favourite parts of re-drafting is the chance to explore/expand sections of the book, its characters and scenery more fully. One such place was the development of one minor characters to make a particular section more believable and engaging. Enter Izi!

She has a small role to play but one of her most striking features (besides the purple hair) is her faeli tattoo. It is a faeli floral design. The flower pattern is a common motif in faeli art because it is believed that the faeli are spirits of nature and the particular design (below) is representative of the core of their beliefs.

The flower combines elements of the faeli age of mythology and iconography. The seven large orbs represent the seven chief elements. The flower itself is an amalgamation of the seven elements' symbols.

7 Elements of Arbean mythology

Which symbols stand for which element? I haven't thought that far ahead yet!!

The actual flower then pays homage to the individual elements by highlighting 7 larger orbs within the pattern (left).

The imagery of the faeli art is inspired by both Pictish (Scotland) and Mehndi (Indian henna) art. I find the detailed simplicity of both art styles to be enchanting (the Pictish stones in Scotland are some of my favourite ancient artefacts). I like the glyphic style which I've adopted for many of my own tattoos anyway. And the world of Arbea is already rich with ancient hieroglyphics? (See more about Arbean glyphs)

I can't wait to spend more time with faeli art as it will be an integral part of the series to come. Already it's been fun crafting this one image and discovering its possibilities. I think the plain outline version of the flower would make a great floral wallpaper. Or maybe a new tattoo for myself!

So, look out for Izi in book two. There will be some character designs for her coming through soon. And thanks Katie Chalmers for the great name idea! I hope you like her.

Enjoy!
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Up front

I decided to create a frontispiece for the book. Although, traditionally it's used on the title page this will sit on the dedication page. It's more meaningful to me there. So to hell with convention!

 

I was glad to find a use for the drawing that I had developed as a very early cover concept, which was actually an idea for my 30^th Birthday invitation! (Oh, how these things get re-appropriated) Once I realised that Sem should be part of the drawing all of the pieces really clicked into place.

The drawing was conceived as Gemmy sitting on a window sill reading. And I thought the Mucha inspiration was fitting for the frontispiece which, classically, is very decorative and florid. I just thought it would be cool to set Sem and Gemmy in a kind of yin and yang formation. I think it adds to the dreamy aspect of the illustration. But, by placing Sem upside down it gives her an ethereal quality, almost as if she is watching over Gemmy while she hangs out in the sky reading. I didn’t plan it that way, but it’s particularly poignant for me given the dedication.

This will also be the only official colour plate in the book (for users with KindleFire). 

Enjoy!
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Introducing Semjanine Grimm

So, I've decided that all the final drawings will be portrait style. I want there to be consistency when flipping through the book.

I've done a new drawing of Sem. I really like this one. She's a rough and tumble girl. She's supposed to be as able as any man on a playing field so she's not meant to be dainty looking, and that's what I like most about her.

Sem - pencil on paper

Sem - digital render

Enjoy!
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