New Work Published: The Disremembered Word by Dr. David Brzezinski

Actually, I think this one's been out for a while, and it's been complete for even longer than that, but this is the first time I've actually seen the Amazon Listing for it.

 

I've done several projects for David Brzezinski (in fact I'm just starting out on another one), and he always presents me with a challenge. 

This book is a dystopian YA novel with a clearly Christian theme.  While I don't specifically do religious themed work, the description of the cover was interesting to me, and the idea of trying a different method to create the image allowed me to approach the project with a certain measure of objectivity.

For this one, I was inspired particularly by the work of John Picacio, and I wanted to experiment with creating the subtle tones he gets for some of his work.  A close up look at this cover would have you think it was done in pencil.  It was...sort of.  I drew the whole thing using the pencil tools in Sketchbook Pro, then colored it with a limited palette and minimal shading in Photoshop.  It was a surprisingly laborious process to get the pencil tones just right, but the control it gave me was fantastic, and I think the end result was worth it.

If you are, or know, a younger reader who would enjoy a Hunger Games-esque story, I recommend you give this one a try.  While you're at it, check out David's other work; you'll find a few more covers and such I did as well.

New Work Published: Battle for Berridor by Dave Brzezinski

Now available for your Kindle device or app, "Battle for Berridor:  Return of the Firebreathers" is a new book by Dave Brzezinski, co-author of the recently featured "Safyre:  Explosive Origins". I had the pleasure of creating the cover illustration for this one.  I don't get the chance to work with dragons very often, so this was definitely fun. 

From the book's description:

"Following many generations without firebreathers, a baby dragon named Uro is unexpectedly born in the kingdom of Berridor. A dragon needs a trainer, and Allard is the young man chosen for the monumental task. As Allard begins to care for the fledgling dragon, he makes many new friends, including Charlotte, the Princess of Berridor.

When a frightening new evil arises from a neighboring kingdom, Allard and Charlotte must work together, with the young dragon, to save Berridor. The unlikely trio will embark upon a dangerous journey through far away lands in order to protect their home and their friends. Along the way, they meet mysterious new people and fascinating creatures, some of them friendly and others dangerous enemies with nefarious intentions. As they journey together, they will learn much about each other and even more about themselves.

As Allard, Charlotte, and Uro race against the clock, they will learn about a past that will forever change their futures. But, will it be in time?"

The book is available right now for just under a buck, so if your a fantasy fan, be sure to give it a try