Switching Gears

Well today I met the deadline and completed a total of 60 illustrations for the Jedi vs Sith book. Random House is releasing this new Star Wars guide book in November.

I’ve been tackling revisions for the past few days. Most of those come in the sketch phase, but some unfortunately force their way in after I’ve completed the painting. Most changes have to do with maintaining a continuity within the Star Wars universe....

Stuff like costumes, light-saber colors, locations, the age of characters, etc. This is especially difficult when dealing with the “expanded universe” stuff.

Some revisions I agree with and are vital to the storytelling. Some seem rather nit-picky and lead to hours of excess work and aggravation. There are moments when an illustrator doing changes and you feel like a robot with no artistic or creative say whatsoever. One must try and push through it, though- remembering that this is a job. I personally try and compromise on revisions, and eventually (at a certain point) just have to let go.

I’ve been asked by students and friends how I “find inspiration” when dealing with the long hours and (sometimes) heavy art-direction. My answer...?

“I look at my bills.”

Nothing drives an illustrator more than mouths to feed, a mortgage, student loans, car payments, medical expenses, bla bla bla.....

There may be one more revision yet to finish by tonight-

But man I hope not.

Speaking of revisions.....

Below are some more illustrations from this book. Can you spot the differences between certain versions?