Process Video: 1987

As an exclusive perk for our paid subscribers, we present this video showing the step by step creation of Stan!'s cartoon homage to "Waterdeep and the North."

Once again, this week’s cartoon homage has a lot going on in a single image—three humanoids, two monsters, and a deceptively detailed setting (and for the sake of space—and my sanity—I left out a fourth humanoid and a bunch of decor that was part of the original painting). By far the most complex figure is the beholder crime lord, Xanathar. In his painting, Keith Parkinson gave Xanathar a very structural look with the segmented eyestalks, and a lot of emotion in his one big eye and toothy maw.

What’s GREAT about the painting, though, is how EACH of the figures has a bit of mystery and intrigue about them making you wonder “What’s the story there?” Why does the dwarf have an eye patch? What’s that book he’s holding open? Why is the drow slicing off and spearing big pieces of that roast? Who is she going to feed them to? What’s that old dude who looks like an account even doing there? And why is there a gigantic aquarium behind the beholder?

All those questions are answered in the book, of course.

Subscribers to this newsletter got to see this drawing last week, whereas the general public are only just getting their first glimpses of it today. But there’s still something left that’s JUST for the paid subscribers—a process video showing the step-by-step creation of this cartoon homage. (If you’re currently a free subscriber, now would be a great time to upgrade.)