[SCWatson]

THE WHEEL OF TIME
by Robert Jordan

NOTES

What you're supposed to do, in bullets.
- The Wheel of Time wiki
- Front Cover Only.
- Cover Design is open. (No template).
- Choose your favorite from the series

- Working file can be any size you want, finals to be no wider than 1000 pixels (you can include detail shots if you want).
- Post FINAL image in FINALS THREAD (to be posted later).
- Cover design is up to the artist.

Please don't keep everything secret, working on your image in private only to post it at the very last hour as a surprise. The point of sharing sketches and work in progress material is so everyone can learn from each other, receive crits, compliments and improve their skills in a classroom/workshop like environment. There are no teachers and no students per say, but try to offer help to others when possible. Please be open to receiving crits, and paint-overs or mock ups of your work, as we are all here to participate, have fun, learn, grow and enjoy what each week has to offer.

DEADLINE: 5PM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME MONDAY, JUNE 7.

[schaturvedi]

...where is everyone?

I'm getting a late start on the actual image, since I've been working on other stuff, but I've been doing thumbnails for the last few days, which I'll be posting in a few hours. I'm gonna do "The Eye of the World."

[SCWatson]

Yeah, I'm not sure what the situation is. I'm considering putting Story Tellers on pause while some other things are hammered out - mostly because of severe lack of interest by the participants (The Frazetta round not withstanding).

Assuming the turn out for this round doesn't pick up, I think we'll shut it down for a bit, and review some options.

~S

[schaturvedi]

Aw, that would be sad . Still, if it does have to go on pause it'd be cool to at least keep it going as a sketchbook thread or something, even if just to throw out concept sketches rather than fully finished paintings. Part of the reason I love this challenge is the focus on cover illustration.

(Incidentally, I haven't had a chance to photograph my preliminary stuff, I promise it exists! Actual painting starts tomorrow.)

[schaturvedi]

K, here are some of the thumbnails, the final thumbnail sketch, and some of the studies I did for the horse. I'm working on the tight drawing and color study digitally now, I'll decide later whether to keep going to finish digitally or whether to go with oils. I'll probably do it digitally just to meet the deadline.

[schaturvedi]

What I got done tonight. I'm strongly considering printing this out to paint on top of, I'm not enjoying the Wacom even remotely as much as a brush :P.

I'm using Tor's current ebook template for this, so that i can play around with a square composition. Don't think I've ever done one of those.

[schaturvedi]

Done.



I really can't offer much input as far as how to keep this challenge going- the main reason I like it so much is that it throws a lot of topics my way that I wouldn't pick on my own, focuses on full narrative illustration rather than production art, and with the deadline is forcing me to really churn this stuff out- fun aside, the only incentive I need is that I'm making things to put in my portfolio while in school.

So yeah... I can't really add to what's been said about how to keep interest in this going, since I feel like "excuse to make art" is enough :P. I don't agree that there needs to be a financial incentive- all those topics on CA gather tons of attention without any such thing. I will say that, for me, probably the most useful part of the storytellers challenge is the preliminary work stage- research, thumbnails, studies, etc. If we can't keep it up in its current form, I'd really at least like to see an ongoing discussion thread where we can take topics and post all those things for it, without necessarily taking it to finish or having a vote at the end.

Although really, who doesn't like a good challenge? :P

[Nickillus]

re - I don't agree that there needs to be a financial incentive- all those topics on CA gather tons of attention without any such thing.

I guess I must be expressing myself really badly - and apologies for that.
I am definitely not advocating financial incentives. From experience the burn of a lot of artisit/illustrators is to see their work in print. I cite the example of submissions to the various Ballistic volumes of work, Spectrum annuals etc. I also cite ImagineFX challenges where success in various of the formats can result in inclusion in a subsequent issue of the physical magazine. Folk can get very excited about that. It's actually encouraging to experience.

My suggestion is based on the enthusiasm I've seen in other places where folk seem to want that experience. It will still only pander to those who have an illustrative bent - but would simply add another dimension to what I see is a very worthwhile challenge thread, with relevance to real world publishing constraints.

We're talking about a volume that only comes out once a year - if it's the money that is worrying people, I will buy that first copy (which I more than likely would anyhow), to set the thing up in the Blurb shop - and then there will be no expense to the organisers at all.

Why shouldn't this become a training ground for those with a yen to go into illustration?
Why should we not be capable of producing a printed product that people aspire to gain inclusion in (as with the Balliistic products etc)? They all had to start somewhere.

Yes there are hurdles to overcome - yes there are pitfalls to avoid - yes it might not be as straightforward and easy as I make it sound.

Where is the ambition guys? I'm already a full time pro and have been for nearly 30 years. There's nothing much for me to gain from this, and yet I still get excited by the possibilities of self publishing at minimal cost/risk. Am I missing something?

I've just come back from the degree show at the local art college where I teach occasionally. Both in the illustration and photojournalism course shows (to name but two) there were numerous quality Blurb produced books that would happily grace the shelves of bookstores and not look out of place.
The head of illustration, who is a good friend, got excellent response at the London Book Fair this year to their self published books. Pro art directors were directing clients to the College stand to check them out. I don't think it is me that is missing something here.

I'll withdraw now and hold my peace. Apologies if I sound rather impassioned. I value illustration as an art form and see great potential through this thread. Fight for it. Nurture it. Help it grow. It may well pay you back in ways you don't expect.

[SCWatson]

Nickillus, and everyone else, I'm moving the discussion over to the discussion thread so we're not cluttering this up.

schaturvedi - since you're the only one who did any work for this round, I think it's safe to say you won it Unless you *really* want, I don't see the necessity of setting up a poll.

Best,
~S

[naetronic]

Shame no one else joined this one
But really Nice work Schaturvedi!

[vincomgo]

wow nice pic,nice content.I addicted to read story like this
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