illos for Patrick Somerville’s “Universe in Miniature in Miniature”
Pleased with results from two great challenges by author Patrick Somerville, illustration assignments for his new collection of short stories titled The Universe in Miniature in Miniature (not a typo) from Featherproof Books.
The first order was for a quasi-erotic sci-fi female, referred to this way, exclusively and in entirety, in the story “Hair University”:
Only had a few days to turn it around — here’s the two drafts I submitted:
Somerville chose the second one, which was essentially a crude aping of this figure from the legendary Frank Frazetta:
(image c/o frankfrazetta.org)
Here’s my revised sketch:
And here’s finished color illustration, about 6.25” x 10” with graphite, spray paint, white acrylic and Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White (which is awesome):
And finally, here’s how it appears in the book, with some very subtle Photoshop effects to differentiate what would be the painting from the frame:
———-
The second request was for a series of speculative portraits of a character delivering a monologue in a piece titled “Abacus.” I’ll save the story for readers, but the goal here was to make the illustrations function much like a reader’s active imagining, attempting to focus or hone-in on a shifting likeness as it “emerges from the page.”
For reference in creating appropriate and expressive faces, I relied on the online library from the Institute Of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Post Production at Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg. This excellent FREE resource presents photographic examples of facial expressions organized by emotions, physical states and other non-verbal conduct, such as conversational expressions.
Props to Mark Rader and Alex Kostiw, whose illustrations also appear in this book. Special thanks to Zach Dodson, Papa Design at Featherproof Books, always kind and encouraging, and Mr. Somerville for the invitation and enthusiasm. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far, looking forward very much to the rest.
Patrick Somerville’s The Universe in Miniature in Miniature is available in various formats direct from Featherproof Books or your preferred retailer.
Featherproof Books will host a release party for The Universe in Miniature in Miniature on Thursday, November 18th, 8pm ($5 admission, but it counts for $5 off a copy of the book) at The Hideout in Chicago (1354 W Wabansia). Event will feature Benjamin Nugent (author of American Nerd) and Hannah Pittard (author of The Fates Will Find Their Way) along with the author and music by DJ Fabulette. It will be a party and all are welcome.
* EXTRA: The first 15 guests dressed like extraterrestrials will get a free copy of The Universe in Miniature in Miniature.
For other details, visit Featherproof’s event page.
The first order was for a quasi-erotic sci-fi female, referred to this way, exclusively and in entirety, in the story “Hair University”:
He has become distracted by the painting on the wall. He is leaning very close to the frame.
“What the hell is this?” he asks. He turns and looks at me. “You know you’re just as sick as everyone else, right?”
“It’s a girl,” I say.
“What’s that?” he asks, tapping the tip of his finger on the glass. He looks at me again, now with a stupid grin on his face.
“That’s a big…phaser,” I say.
“Oh?”
“Let’s go out back and have some gin and tonics.”
“And what’s that?”
“That’s her holster.”
“Am I right to say that she has haphazardly strewn it in the corner of the room?”
“Artists have to balance colors and light.”
“Have we just entered her room, Danny? Should I think of this as a first-person perspective? Have we, as the observers of the painting, just stumbled in on this lovely and might I add sexy space-lady undressing? Would you call this alien erotica? Because I might! I might!”
“That’s the color and light being balanced. Right in the corner there.”
He puts his hand on my shoulder. “I feel sorry for you and you feel sorry for me,” he says. “That makes for a good friendship.”
Only had a few days to turn it around — here’s the two drafts I submitted:
 |
| concept sketches 1 & 2 |
Somerville chose the second one, which was essentially a crude aping of this figure from the legendary Frank Frazetta:
(image c/o frankfrazetta.org)
Here’s my revised sketch:
And here’s finished color illustration, about 6.25” x 10” with graphite, spray paint, white acrylic and Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White (which is awesome):
And finally, here’s how it appears in the book, with some very subtle Photoshop effects to differentiate what would be the painting from the frame:
———-
The second request was for a series of speculative portraits of a character delivering a monologue in a piece titled “Abacus.” I’ll save the story for readers, but the goal here was to make the illustrations function much like a reader’s active imagining, attempting to focus or hone-in on a shifting likeness as it “emerges from the page.”
For reference in creating appropriate and expressive faces, I relied on the online library from the Institute Of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Post Production at Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg. This excellent FREE resource presents photographic examples of facial expressions organized by emotions, physical states and other non-verbal conduct, such as conversational expressions.
Props to Mark Rader and Alex Kostiw, whose illustrations also appear in this book. Special thanks to Zach Dodson, Papa Design at Featherproof Books, always kind and encouraging, and Mr. Somerville for the invitation and enthusiasm. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far, looking forward very much to the rest.
Patrick Somerville’s The Universe in Miniature in Miniature is available in various formats direct from Featherproof Books or your preferred retailer.
Featherproof Books will host a release party for The Universe in Miniature in Miniature on Thursday, November 18th, 8pm ($5 admission, but it counts for $5 off a copy of the book) at The Hideout in Chicago (1354 W Wabansia). Event will feature Benjamin Nugent (author of American Nerd) and Hannah Pittard (author of The Fates Will Find Their Way) along with the author and music by DJ Fabulette. It will be a party and all are welcome.
* EXTRA: The first 15 guests dressed like extraterrestrials will get a free copy of The Universe in Miniature in Miniature.
For other details, visit Featherproof’s event page.
