The Moth Festival

Steampunk World’s Fair poster with text

gothicmangaka — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:47:40 +0000

Thought i’d conclude the series of posts i started here and continued here with the finished poster just so you have some idea of the amazingness that the Steampunk World’s fair will be this year. If you can attend, this is not an event to be missed!

Work in progress (Poster art for Steampunk World’s Fair) complete

gothicmangaka — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:58:00 +0000

In my previous post i showed the pencil and early toned stages of this illustration and raved (with utmost sincerity) about last year’s Steampunk World’s Fair. Here is another intermediary step (top) and the finished art.

The top image shows most of the values worked out and the sky set in. The final image has the opaque top layer with the anabaric power and glows and the flame on the gas lit hand of glory.

I urge you to follow the link above and take a look at the stunning list of performers, musicians and artists on the guest list for SPWF 2011. This is not an event to be missed!

Work in progress- art for Steampunk World’s Fair.

gothicmangaka — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:36:28 +0000

Last year, i was fortunate enough to be one of the guests at the Steampunk World’s fair. I have to say, in all honesty it was the best event i have ever participated in or attended. It was smoothly run, had an incredible mix of music performance, art, participatory events and it was just a great mix of people. I’ve done manga/anime cons in the past and though they went well for us, the people at the SPWF just seemed to GET us. Hopeless and the art have never been so well received. (also i got to meet Brigid Ashwood, Brian Viglione, Professor Elemental, and hear The Army Of Broken Toys perform) In short, it felt like home. (and a really good party, mixed together) Sadly, we’re in England this year and will only be able to be there in spirit.

So, when Erin Tierneigh (very good friend and one of the geniuses who run the SPWF) asked me to do some art for the World’s Fair posters this year, i said yes without hesitation.

I’m showing this piece in stages so that you’ll have some insight into my working process. The original was done in pencil on 11×17 inch bristol board. (seen at top) Scanned and the first layers of tone and texture were dropped in to separate foreground from background and give me some idea of how the values were going to work. (second image down)

The imagery is a steampunk re imagining of bits of At The Mountains Of Madness with a touch of Innsmouth (and a gas lit hand of glory.

I’ll post another progress shot and the finished piece in the next day or so. Hope you like!

Tom

HOPELESS book one (Personal Demons) Chapter cover

gothicmangaka — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:24:14 +0000

One of the first pieces i’ve done since moving to the UK!

If you are desperate to know who this is and what it’s all about, you’re in luck. HOPELESS is currently being serialized online here.

Bridge of bottles

gothicmangaka — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:38:15 +0000

Here is the two page spread that begins chapter five of Personal Demons (Book one of “Hopeless”)

The original is 17 by 22 inches, done in pencil. (tones and color added in photoshop)

Hopeless is currently being serialized online here

Lost Bards and Dreamers

gothicmangaka — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:36:15 +0000

“At table, in ritual,

Session, dance or journey,

Welcome kindred spirit

If you want this, it is yours.”

A quote here, from Brynneth Nimue’s new collection of poetry, Lost bards and dreamers. I was fortunate enough to have to opportunity to do the cover art, and to read much of the verse as Brynneth wrote it. As I read, I was touched, challenged, charmed and frequently awed (and still am) .

“

Lost Bards and Dreamers explores philosophy, and druid spirituality, reflecting on moments of connection with the natural world. Drawing on the language of ritual at times, and offering insight from druidic experience, the poetry collection is an expression of green spirituality.

Written over several years by an active druid, these poems reflect the seasons, tides of life and a spirituality that never allows the follower to become too comfortable. There is always change and challenge, new wonders to encounter, new trials to face. Druidry is not a book faith, and is very much about experience, relationship, and conscious engagement with the world. Lost Bards and Dreamers offers moments of druidry, sharing the inspiration of the journey.”

This collection is available for download now, and I understand that print copies will soon be available from Alpheratz Press.

New “Hopeless” wallpaper

gothicmangaka — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:04:07 +0000

New wallpaper here, featuring the art from the most recent two page spread from Hopeless .

Blind Fisherman cover

gothicmangaka — Wed, 12 May 2010 00:14:17 +0000

“Hopeless” opens with The Blind Fisherman (a short, dark story arc) as a prelude of sorts. I think it sets the tone well and it has significance which will become clear much later on. (yes we have the whole story-line written. By “we” of course i mean Brynneth) “Hopeless” Will eventually be a ten volume story.

Here is the updated Blind Fisherman cover art.

Personal Demons cover (color)

gothicmangaka — Tue, 11 May 2010 23:45:54 +0000

Repaint of the Personal Demons cover art here. This is something i’ve been planning to do for a while , but when I heard we had an opportunity to have a full page add on the back cover of Shroud Magazine, I knew it was time. (Also wanted to have it done in plenty of time for the print version of PD.) Another revisited bit of imagery from Personal Demons will be the front cover of same issue. More on Shroud soon. Hope as always, you like.

Tentacles

gothicmangaka — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:12:39 +0000

The dead forsake us

Another couple of pieces for the Hopeless Vendetta. Original in pencil on bristol, toned in photoshop.

What the camera sees