Process Video: Monster Manual II

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I learn something every time I do an homage to a Jeff Easley painting. This is a little strange because I’m so familiar with most of them—they’re the covers to books I’ve owned and loved for years, and I’ve literally spent hours (and even days) looking at these images. But when I sit down to interpret them visually, when I look at them deeply with my artist’s eye switched on, I always notice details that I either missed or misinterpreted for years!

I’ve been looking at Easley’s cover for the 1983 Monster Manual II since the month it was published, 42 years ago. But I learned a lot creating this cartoon homage. I’d never noticed the details on the giant’s belt and bracers, I’d never wondered about the hook and chain coming off its cloak. Honestly, I’d never really even thought about the fact that it’s holding that poleaxe upside down. And I sure never spent an appropriate amount of time admiring how Jeff rendered that forest, creating such a deep, atmospheric setting.

I’ve always had a huge amount of respect and admiration for Jeff Easley, and that only increased when I got to work alongside him at TSR. But doing these cartoon homages to his work (and this is the sixth one I’ve done) makes me feel like haven’t given the man half the credit he’s due.

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.)