Swallow the Light by suburbanbeatnik

This was the cover for the Spring 2011 issue of Dark Valentine magazine, which you can download for free here. This was for Kristen Davis's story "Swallow the Light," a dark fantasy about an evil sorcerer's gargoyle-like minion. It's a fantastic story, and it was a lot of fun to paint.

Bonniemarie Featured By Owner Jun 5, 2011 Traditional Artist

wow beautiful, your interiors are great, you set the scene wonderfully, I love the candles in the background and your composition with the gargoyle crouching in the foreground

suburbanbeatnik Featured By Owner Jun 12, 2011 Professional Traditional Artist

Thank you! All those light sources made it especially tricky to paint, but I'm pleased with it came out.

Bonniemarie Featured By Owner Jun 13, 2011 Traditional Artist

Yes I know what you mean with light, can be hard to get right but you achieved it! you're very welcome

suburbanbeatnik Featured By Owner Jun 13, 2011 Professional Traditional Artist

Thanks again!

Bonniemarie Featured By Owner Jun 15, 2011 Traditional Artist

welcome

HabitualFlippancy Featured By Owner Mar 5, 2011 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Okay, the whole piece is ridiculously gorg, of course, but you should draw more monsters. That little guy looks so cool.

HabitualFlippancy Featured By Owner Mar 5, 2011 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Okay, the whole piece is ridiculously gorg, of course, but you should draw more monsters. That little guy looks so cool.

suburbanbeatnik Featured By Owner Mar 6, 2011 Professional Traditional Artist

Thanks! Have you read the story yet? I'd love to hear what you think.

enginemonkey Featured By Owner Mar 5, 2011

Wow! Yes it looks like you had loads of fun with this one. Great atmosphere, really makes you want to read the story to find out what's going on.

suburbanbeatnik Featured By Owner Mar 6, 2011 Professional Traditional Artist

Thanks! It was fun, but also incredibly time-consuming, since I had to revise it a lot. I made the mistake of launching into it without a reference for that difficult pose... and I had to rework the dude a few times. Blargh!

Hey, we'll be assigning for the new issue soon... will you have time for an illo?

enginemonkey Featured By Owner Mar 6, 2011

One of the reasons I'm seduced by digital! Reworking is never a problem, Haha!

I've got an oil commission on at the mo but let me know the details and deadline and I'll see if it's possible

suburbanbeatnik Featured By Owner Mar 14, 2011 Professional Traditional Artist

Kathy hasn't sent me any stories yet, but once I start getting them in, I'll let you know if I have something for you!

Rosengeist Featured By Owner Mar 4, 2011 Professional General Artist

Gleee! It was so fin to watch this come into being! I love the energy of the lines and the brush strokes in this. Awesome mc possum!

suburbanbeatnik Featured By Owner Mar 4, 2011 Professional Traditional Artist

Your enthusiasm is contagious!

Rosengeist Featured By Owner Mar 9, 2011 Professional General Artist

Huzzah!

Alwisw Featured By Owner Mar 4, 2011

Gosh your stuff keeps getting better and better and it should be mentioned that they were pretty perfect to even begin with. >___o I don't know what to do with this extreme jealousy of mine.