Artwork

Dead Letter Cover is Hot Property

November 24, 2016 by Benjamin Descovich Leave a Comment

I’ve been getting so many compliments about the cover art on Dead Letter!

You can see why. It is so eye catching and dynamic. The colours have really come alive and the shadows and smoke add the perfect sense of mystery to match the story inside.

I love it and I’m so glad that my readers love it too.

This post is a massive shout out to the cover artist, award-winning illustrator, Amit Dutta aka Monkey Bread.

Thanks a bunch, Amit!

You ROCK the set!!!

deadletter_cover_600

Amit captured a scene in the novel with more magic than I ever hoped would be possible. The cover shows Novice Kettna, casting a modified cantrip called Hot Hand.

She grasped the lock on the door with her super heated hand and focussed all her remaining mana into the spell. The lock went red-hot then yellow and the timber around it smoked and cindered. Kettna’s legs gave way, her body weak from the intense magical strain, but she would not let go of the lock.

I just love the detail of the magical tattoos brimming with power! Especially the visual description of some symbols being triggered and others not. Fantastic stuff!

Check out more of Amit’s portfolio on Tumblr and his Deviant Art page.

Find him on Facebook.

Get in contact and commission him for your next project.

Want a free copy of Dead Letter?

Click here for more details.

Amit Dutta

January 30, 2016 by Benjamin Descovich 2 Comments

Amit is an award-winning concept artist with a knack for environmental design. Looking at the technical expertise displayed in his works, you would never guess that he is self-taught. While working a day job in IT as a senior technical analyst, Amit burned the midnight oil painting nights and weekends, before he made the inspirational leap all artists dream of … working full-time for his art.

He has carved a career for himself through hard work, passion and a dedication to improving his skills.

Not only is he busy working on freelance work, he has dedicated his time to help other visual artists enhance their skills. Improve your craft with content rich art lessons via his Youtube channel. Amit’s contributions to budding and emerging artists are a fine example of how creatives can work better together. I’m a strong believer that when artists share their talents and collaborate, we build a stronger, more fertile art community.

Check out my favourites from his portfolio.

stealin_by_m0nkeybread-d9kvmum — Stealin by Amit Dutta

the_last_outpost_by_m0nkeybread-d6mipeh — The Last Outpost by Amit Dutta

the_city_of_dimah_by_bigbwana-d4nc5nb — The City of Dimah by Amit Dutta

pole_station_alphaomegaomicronzeetheta_5_ay0_ay0_by_bigbwana-d4qaus3 — Pole Station AlphaOmegaOmicronZeeTheta by Amit Dutta

amit_dutta___vurtmaze_png_by_m0nkeybread-d93iox1 — Vurt by Amit Dutta

the_final_voyage_by_m0nkeybread-d8qdxeg — The Final Voyage by Amit Dutta

heathen_brotherhood_colony_outpost_by_m0nkeybread-d6j7dxn — HEATHEN – Brotherhood Colony Outpost by Amit Dutta

4_seconds_to_green_by_bigbwana-d4n6qwv — Four Seconds to Green by Amit Dutta

Amit’s talent has been recognised by the world famous studio, Weta Workshop. His work was was handpicked and published in Paul Tobin’s Science Fiction and Fantasy showcase White Cloud Worlds Volume 3. He features alongside other New Zealand greats famous for their work on The Lord of the Rings, Mad Max: Fury Road, King Kong, Chappie, Chronicles of Narnia, Avatar and District 9.

If you are in New Zealand you can check out his work being shown in the Imaginary Worlds exhibition which is open until 8th Feb 2016.

Check out more of Amit’s Portfolio on Tumblr and his Deviant Art page.

Find him on Facebook.

Get in contact and commission him for your next project.

Fan Art First

July 27, 2015 by Benjamin Descovich Leave a Comment

Dragon Choir has it’s first work of fan art and I am blown away with excitement!

Zix was one of the first artists to feature on my site with her beautifully detailed vector art.

Check out what Zix has created.

Fans of Dragon Choir will see how beautifully the relationship between these two characters has been captured. Both looking up at the stars like they see the future, yet from different perspectives. For me, it captures the moment they find common ground.

I was so touched by this image, I asked Zix if she would let me in on how it was created.

“The idea of them lying under a cloudy night sky came to me accidently, while I tried to fall asleep (it’s a normal thing when inspiration comes to you just before you’re going to enter dreamland … at least in my life).
Since I’m not a professional artist, there were new things for me to work on: first of all, of course, the perspective. I had to stop drawing from time to time to study the anatomic form of my left hand for hints. Secondly, it was interesting to think of their outfit, with which I spent quite a lot of time. Colouring is always the most interesting step for me, so I put a lot of effort into it … as always 🙂 And the third new thing was painting the grass with this perspective, I tried my best there…”

Zix, you have done me a very special thing by creating this picture.

Thank you so much!

You can check out more of Zix’s works on her Deviant Art page.

A left field connection here… She has done a fantastic Robert Downey Jr. too. If you are a fan like me, you’ll love it!

Andrey Vasilchenko

June 5, 2015 by Benjamin Descovich Leave a Comment

Andrey is one of the finest hands in fantasy illustration I’ve come across. He illustrates fantasy themes both with original flare and old world technique. There is something about Andrey’s style that reminds me of his great countryman Ilya Yefimovich Repin. (Even Repin dipped his brushes in magic when he did—the world famous—Sadko in the Underwater Kingdom). That said, in my opinion, Andrey gives Repin a run for his money with fantasy art. Check out my favourites from Andrey’s collection.

Andrey is a freelance illustrator and has been picked up by Alawar Entertainment Inc, who are responsible for the tremendously addictive puzzlers that have hit it big as apps, including projects such as Treasures of Montezuma 4, Treasures of Montezuma – Arena and Farm Frenzy 4.

Treasures of Montezuma Arena - background by Andrey Vasilchenko — Treasures of Montezuma Arena – background by Andrey Vasilchenko

Check out more of Andrey’s awesome art at his Deviant Art page and his ArtStation page.

Find him on Facebook.

Commission him to do your next project via his website.

Recycle Art

May 26, 2015 by Benjamin Descovich Leave a Comment