Cover illustration by Benjamin Carré
I recently did interior illustrations for the newly published fairy tale anthology the Starlit Wood. It is a collection of new fairy tales based on classics such as Hansel & Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, Rumplestiltskin as well as lesser known and even recently discovered tales. It is full of amazing authors like Garth Nix, Naomi Novik, Seanan McGuire, Charlie Jane Anders, Catherynne M. Valente, Amal El-Mohtar, Kat Howard and Max Gladstone.
Each story starts with a large illustrated initial like you would find in classic fairy tales and illuminated manuscripts. In the initials you can see some elements from the story and often hints as to how some of the tales have taken on unusual settings and genres, such as contemporary horror or science fiction. It was definitely a joy illustrating this work, working with the wonderful folk at Simon & Schuster / Saga Press and being part of such a well thought out and well executed project.
Here are a few of my illustrations from the Starlit Wood.
GIANTS IN THE SKY by Max Gladstone
SPINNING SILVER by Naomi Novik
SEASON OF GLASS AND IRON by Amal El-Mohtar
Early sketch for SEASON OF GLASS AND IRON
THE THOUSAND EYES by Jeffrey Ford
BATGIRL, THE DEADMAN, AND THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE by Catherine M. Valente
Work in progress shot of BATGIRL, THE DEADMAN, AND THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE.
THE BRIAR AND THE ROSE by Marjorie Liu
SOME WAIT by Stephen Graham Jones
Initial sketch for SOME WAIT.
THE OTHER THEA by Theodora Goss
PEARL by Aliette de Bodard
Work in progress on PEARL
PENNY FOR A MATCH, MISTER? by Garth Nix
THE TALE OF MAHLIYA AND MAUHUB AND THE WHITE-FOOTED GAZELLE by Sofia Samatar
Earlier sketch for THE TALE OF MAHLIYA AND MAUHUB AND THE WHITE-FOOTED GAZELLE
WHEN I LAY FROZEN by Margo Lanagan
P.S. The Starlit Wood came out on 18.10.16 and is now available in bookstores and on Amazon.