Rust

Rust, 7.5x10", graphite/digital

Hi all. I've just completed an image for ArtOrder- a blog run by Jon Schindehette, senior art director for Dungeons & Dragons over at Wizard's of the Coast. Jon runs these great challenges for illustrators to create monsters, book covers, characters, maps and a myriad of other fantasy creations. I was really enticed when he announced the Rust challenge. This challenge was interpretive from the get go. Jon supplied us only with dimensions, color profile, and this quote:

"A sword, a spade, and a thought should never be allowed to rust"

~ James Stephens, Irish poet and storyteller, 1882-1950

Everything else was up to the artist, which is fantastic. I still wanted to operate within the DnD universe and thought to portray a rusted, old, forgotten warforged who is being revived or healed by a mysterious mage-kinda girl. I liked playing with the idea that the warforged is that type of creature who is all at once, sword, spade and thought. From there the quote took on an interesting concept- does this girl serve a guild of artificers seeking to restore these dormant creatures, what is her relation to the warforged, etc. I feel like I have a whole story around this picture, but it's more internalized and hard to write out.

Sketches, Finished drawing, Color study.

All of the entries should be up on the blog within days, but until then check out this in-progress drawing by art-friend Kristina Carroll. Looking forward to seeing that painting. Thanks and enjoy.