Process Video: 2020

An exclusive video showing the creation of Stan!'s cartoon homage to Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Transforming Kevin Tong’s alternative cover painting for Mythic Odysseys of Theros into a cartoon was perhaps the most challenging drawing of this entire endeavor so far. Not only was the original a fascinating mix of the cosmic and the classical, it was rendered in a colorful, kaleidoscopic palate that defies simplification. In the end, I had to give myself permission to be inspired by the cover image rather than trying to directly imitate it.

The final result was, I think, successful as a cartoon in its own right … and certainly showed respect and appreciation for Tong’s artwork.

If there’s a part that I’m least satisfied with, it’s the extremely casual way that I created the glowing colors of the starscape—which I think is probably the most impressive part of the original painting. Watching the process video, you’ll see that I very quickly tried one bit of digital trickery that got close enough to keep from drawing attention to itself … but doesn’t really come at all near to capturing the flowing colors one finds in the painting itself.

Still, this whole project is and has been about creating cartoons that honor the classic covers … and I certainly do feel like I filled this one with love and admiration for Kevin Tong’s cover piece.

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.)