Shaggybreeks

So I'm on chapter 2 of the #StormlightArchive in the book #TheWayOfKings - Honour is dead. Where we get to meet Kaladin and a few other important people for the first time. One of whom is not actually announced as such in this chapter as anything more than a cheeky little wind spren. One of the characters who fascinated me in this book, and who appears again later in the series, is #Tvlakv the slave trader. It is clear as he unfolds that he is a very broken, but also unscrupulous character. Someone who has sold his soul many times over in the pursuit of self interest. His bitterness is an interesting counterpoint to his later actions in the series. For this, again continuing with the slightly old school Middle Eastern vibe, I decided to show him as he might have appeared to one of his slaves. Stood over them, bathed by the light of a small camp fire and a solitary storm light invested sphere. He is someone who has weathered a lot of hardship. Who aspires to nice things but resorts to having to repair and tidy things rather than buy new stuff. He is neither proud nor is he weak. He is just dogged and persistent and I wanted that to come over in this drawing. I've noticed over the last three drawings that I've opted for almost candid photo portrait style. It gives me the vibe of a fly on the wall travel documentary of Roshar that just happens to be following the plot of the books. It's a fun thought and maybe at some point I'll have to draw the photographer. Anyways, I hope you like my interpretation of Tvlakv. He was a fun one to do.

My reading of the @brandsanderson Stormilight archive continues in preparation for the next novel. This was a really fun piece to do. Honestly I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this, as before this, I've always had a harder time imagining Szeth in a defined way. It's amazing how putting ideas to paper can really condense your imagination. This is a quick cut away from chapter 2 where he is about to assassinate King Gavilar. I wanted to continue expressing this slightly more Mediterranean, Arabic, north African vibe I have been looking at. I wanted Szeth to be clearly pale skinned and almost albino. Someone who would be almost ghostly to the other darker skinned Alethi folk. (See my last image of Gavilar for reference) I realize this isn't canon, but I am enjoying myself and this style. In my mind the world of Roshar always felt a bit more hot in parts, and more desolate than most of Europe. Except Shinovar of course. Szeth is naturally a very gifted and athletic sky breaker and so I wanted him to strike quite a strong and athletic physique while still appearing slim. It was also important to me that he was intimidating but someone who is so unfocused in their mind that they appear almost as if they are just not engaged. I kept his eyes specifically unfocussed as if he is just staring at the cinema screen of his own thoughts. Anyways I am always happy to hear feedback. Let me know what you think.

It's come to that time of year. The next book in the @brandsanderson stormilight archive is looking like it's about a year or so away. Which means it's time to re-read the previous novels and get myself up to speed. HOWEVER This time I want to take things a bit slower and finally realize a thought that has been on my mind for over a decade. I'd love to start illustrating what I see in my mind's eye when I read these books. So I am going to take it piece by piece and illustrate people and moments in the book as they come. In this instance I give you King Gavilar Kholin. Wearing his family colours of blue with gold trim and sporting a middle aged slightly graying top bun, with a little gold circlet around his head signifying his position as king of Alethkar. I wanted him to be quite thickset and athletic. Someone who is very strong (after all he is known as a master of the shard blade). But also someone who has settled a bit into his more political role and gained a small bit of weight. This is an image I imagined just before he welcomes the Parshendi to his realm, just before he is killed by Szeth. Whenever I have seen illustrations for the #stormlightarchive they tend to be depicted in either East Asian or Western medieval styles. However for me, they have always come to me a bit more Mediterranean/North African/Islamic vibes. Hopefully people will enjoy this change of style. Anyways, I'll update with new images as and when they come.