Process Video: 2007

Exclusively for paid subscribers to this newsletter, here is a process video showing the step-by-step creation of the cartoon homage from Episode 37.

I was very much looking forward to creating a cartoon interpretation to Steve Prescott’s cover painting for the 2007 adventure The Sinister Spire. As I said previously, I’ve never read or played through this adventure, so what about it has so captured my fancy?

First of all, I love the makeover that medusas got in 4th Edition D&D. Rather than the usual beautiful woman with a flowing mass of writhing snakes for hair, for this edition they were crafted to be truly monstrous reptilian creatures with scaly, almost armored bodies and hissing asps on top of their heads. Their “hair” seems more akin to a beholder’s eyestalks than a luscious hairdo.

Next there’s the creepy subterranean complex in the background. Really it’s looking at THAT that makes me wish I’d grabbed that copy of the adventure from the WotC Free Table ten years ago. I want to know who built it, what they’re doing in there, and what kind of trouble my gnome rogue could get into exploring it.

Subscribers to this newsletter got to see this drawing early, 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.)