Sketchbook: The Beginning

Why hello!
I know I’ve been missing in action for a while, especially when it comes to the “Resurrection Angel” audiobook, but I have a good excuse: I was redecorating my bathroom.
No! Really! I swear!
I also swear that I’ll start recording episodes again here real soon (read: this coming weekend).
But that’s not all I’ve been up to.

As I mentioned previously, I’ve commissioned Daniel Fu to come up with some marketing artwork, featuring Denton and Monty.
After we negotiated a fee, signed the contracts and put the check in the mail, Daniel and I then started corresponding about what the finished artwork would look like.
What I gave Daniel was pretty detailed descriptions of Denton and Monty.
I thought I would share them with you, so you could join Daniel and I on this creative journey.

Here’s the description for Denton:
Denton Ward - take a peek at Guy Pearce from Memento. Over 6′ tall. Thin. Short, messy blonde hair. Circular or aviator rim sunglasses. White button down shirt. Black trench coat. Tie. Black slacks with cuffs at bottom. Black socks, black penny loafers. Pale complexion. Dour or serious expression on his face. Expensive wrist watch. Pack of cigarettes in shirt pocket. Maybe have him smoking one. You should be able to see his eyes through his sunglasses. Remember Keanu Reeves from “Constantine”? If we can see his wrists, he does have scars on the inside of them, as he has tried to commit suicide at least once that we know of. The tie is the only splash of color he wears. Let’s make the cigarettes a red and white Marlboro pack, as it’s easily recognizable. He fastidious and neat.

And here’s the description for my girl Monty:
Monty Crocetti - take a peek at Lori Petty from Point Break. Short, sassy. Imagine if Tank Girl was a Private Investigator. Black spiked hair. Blue eyes. Freckles on her nose. Tanned. Smiling. Happy. Multiple earrings. Abused black leather biker jacket with band pins, patches, whatever. White t-shirt or wife beater tank top. Small perky breasts. Faded, ripped blue jeans. Rolled up a bit so you can see her black Doc Marten boots. Thick black belt holding up jeans. She has a clip-on holster and a standard police issue .38 in it. She should also have a badge on her belt. Bangles on her wrists. Wearing an engagement ring. She’s disheveled and cute, but kickboxing tough.

So what do you think? Could you come up with a sketch based on these descriptions?
Thinking back to when you last read either “Resurrection Angel” or “Everlasting Life”, do these descriptions match up with what you visualized in your head?
This is certainly what I keep in mind as I’m writing; I’d be interested in hearing what you keep in mind as you read.
Discuss!

Next week, I’m going to show you the initial sketches that Daniel came up with.
But until then, remember you can see some of his amazing work at one of the following websites:

www.the-retriever.com
www.daystormproductions.com
www.whoarethenine.com
daystorm.deviantart.com

So drop by, say “Hi!” and be nice!