Just thought I'd share a couple on-location pics from the painting I'm working on for the Historic Annapolis Foundation.  As I've mentioned before the painting is not only of The William Paca House but also the very impressive garden that exists outside.

What's interesting about the garden is that prior to the 1960's the garden had completely disappeared. Over the years it simply declined to the where it was all but lost.  Then in the 1960-70's "extensive excavations and other research revealed the original garden's features and led to their re-creation."

Working onsite such as I'm able to do really lends itself to appreciating the comfort and even serenity of the garden.  Especially considering how much time I'm typically working within the studio.

Though that certainly doesn't mean the garden isn't without it's own version of excitement.  I had a quick photo-opp with this colorful leggy fellow busy at work right behind where I was busy at work.  Cute, right?

Hope you enjoy the pics.  Have a great weekend and I'll talk with you on Monday!

- D

Whatsup everyone, this is the cover I illustrated for issue #1 of DEADLESS, from the masterful mind of Mr. Matt O'Keefe.

For me personally the goal of this cover wasn't just to illustrate a particular scene in the story but to convey a strong sense of contrast.  In one of the more apparent ways I wanted to push the contrast of light and dark with regard to rendering the forms; utilizing the brightness of the bristol board with the darkness of the india ink (Dr. Martins Bombay Black if you're curious).  Then there's the main character, Joseph Montgomery.  Born in the 18th century but still alive because of a deal made with a demon named Azil.  He continues to live yet continues to age.  An "old" man in every sense of the word.  Paired against a character of great significance, a young baby girl.

Joseph, who's life is never in danger of ending looking down upon one whose life is very much just that.  The peace one may feel from their religion versus the fear released by a violent attack.  Even the comfort of a small crib lined in soft cotton against the rough texture a splintering wooden floor.

These are a few ideas that were going through my head while designing the cover that I was hoping to communicate. There's a couple more but, well, I'll step down from the podium and see if they'll speak for themselves.

Hope you enjoy and I'll talk with you soon!

- D

Whatsup everyone,

This is the next stage in the evolution of the William Paca House painting; of which I've been commissioned by the Historic Annapolis Foundation to create.

This, the "drawing" stage, is rendered using charcoal on 22 x 30in. Rives BFK.  Vine charcoal to be specific.  A medium I've much experience with though one whose company I haven't had the pleasure of in some time.  So this project personally has already begun on a high note.  I'd say the phrase "getting your hands dirty" aptly applies.

Now that the composition of the architecture and landscape is in place we, Historic Annapolis and myself, are seeking to determine the best possible way to include the characters of the setting, that being William Paca, his wife Mary and all those involved with the home.  This includes not only who will be present but also the activities they'll be participating in (given the time period), whom they'll be interacting with, along with their specific placement in the composition - and all of these elements circling around the factual information available on the history of the home and those characters within.

Hope you enjoy and I'll keep you posted!

- D