After painting 6 concepts in an effort to distill Larry Niven's novel into one image, I settled on a mountaintop perspective that gave me the chance to offer an aerial view of the road and its environs.
I love all of the flying creatures, both dragons and these. Michaels, have you read Martha Wells Books of the Raksura? I know Michael Whelan is not doing any illustration, but I would love to see your take on the different Raksura. In your copious spare time, of course.
I adore Martha Wells Murderbot books, but I haven't read any of her fantasy yet. I've been meaning to, so I'll definitely take a look at those. I don't think Michael has read them either.
They are a different sort of winged being, and very cool. And if you like Murderbot, you will enjoy Moon, a central character in the Raksura books. The Cloud Roads is the first one in that series
So the color sketch shows your corrections according to the text, and the completed painting doesn't? Either way, this is one of my favorites. I think I saw it in person at a World Con somewhere and stood looking at it for a long time.
I love all of the flying creatures, both dragons and these. Michaels, have you read Martha Wells Books of the Raksura? I know Michael Whelan is not doing any illustration, but I would love to see your take on the different Raksura. In your copious spare time, of course.
I adore Martha Wells Murderbot books, but I haven't read any of her fantasy yet. I've been meaning to, so I'll definitely take a look at those. I don't think Michael has read them either.
They are a different sort of winged being, and very cool. And if you like Murderbot, you will enjoy Moon, a central character in the Raksura books. The Cloud Roads is the first one in that series
So the color sketch shows your corrections according to the text, and the completed painting doesn't? Either way, this is one of my favorites. I think I saw it in person at a World Con somewhere and stood looking at it for a long time.
Yes, there was a back and forth in the art direction spurred by Michael's desire to be accurate to the text. The initial vision ultimately won out.
The painting has quite a presence when seen in person. It's one of Michael's largest illustrations, and the warmth of it just shines in person.