Big News for Kingkiller Chronicles

This has been a big spoiler week with the San Diego Comic Con revealing many trailers, etc. for upcoming movies and projects. But one major announcement for Pat Rothfuss' fans came via I09 and Buzzfeed. The series has been opted by FOX for a tv series. AND they used my image of Kvothe on both pages, thank you very much. My thanks also go out to Corina St.Martin and Lauren Cannon for having my back and notifying me that I09 needed a credit link. Fellow artists are so awesome.

Of course, now all the casting speculation has begun, even though this is just in it's "option" stage if I understand correctly. As much as I like Eddie Redmayne, I would love to see some fresh faces star in this. 

Licensing Your Art

My limited experience with licensing my art has been a fun venture, mainly because the opportunities have come my way unexpectedly.

My first experience came about as a result of an mass email to colored pencil artists. Prismacolor was looking for an image to put on their Verithin packaging. All you had to do was submit any image you used their product on and wait to see if you were selected. Gratefully, one of mine was. They paid me a nice little sum, agreed to adding my name to the image and it was done. I didn't get rich but you can't buy that kind of exposure, plus seeing your image on Amazon is a real rush, not to mention in every Michael's craft store.

Several years ago, I was asked to design a logo for a group reenacting the pioneer handcart trek. Since then, about 20 other groups all across the US have asked to use it. Because it's non-profit, I have let them use it at no charge. Imagine my surprise when a leather company offered to pay me to license it for a product line they would carry.

I blogged about this last one but this is the first actual photo I have to show the display. The EMP Museum in Seattle contacted me and asked if they could license my Kvothe image from Name of the Wind for part of their educational, interactive exhibit on fantasy characters. My daughter is currently there on vacation and took this picture for me. The room is dark so it isn't the best, but it's satisfying to see it as the public does. Again, great exposure. 

 I retained all the rights to my images. The only restriction I had was with Prismacolor. I couldn't sell rights to another colored pencil company. I would love to know how someone goes about seeking licensing opportunities. It probably involves an agent or maybe not?? 

EMP Museum Exhibit

Back in October of 2012, I received an email from the EMP Museum in Seattle, WA. They wanted to license my Kvothe (The Minstrel) image for an educational interactive exhibit about fantasy characters that would include the Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. The exhibit is set to run for 5 years. I wasn't sure about the copyright issues with Pat so we emailed him and received his complete endorsement (this man is so awesome). Well, last week, I was sent the link for the exhibit's opening this month. From what I've heard from my friend Tara who lives in the area, it's a popular place that caters to the sci-fi and fantasy genre. Hopefully, sometime in the next 5 years, I'll be able to visit and see it in person.

The BIG 60!

Back when I started this blog, I probably had 10 followers and they were all family members. I am so overwhelmed at the number of you good folk who visit here,...whether you leave an occasional comment or simply pause and then move on to the next blog in your Google Reader. Either way, I am grateful. Since returning from my grandmothering hiatus, I noticed my blog view count is almost at the 60,000th notch which, my dear readers, is significant, since (drum roll) I am in my 60th year. WOW! That use to be so old to me. It's the new 50, right?? Anywho, to celebrate the BIG 60, I'm giving away an 8"x10" print of "The Minstrel", based on the Kvothe character from Patrick Rothfuss', Kingkiller Chronicles. 

All you do is leave a comment of 6 words or more, making sure I have access to your email address to contact you. At midnight MST, on the 6th of August, I will take the names and put them in a bowl and randomly pull out a winner. It's that easy. 

Hopefully, I will come close to the 60,000 mark, but even if I don't, thank you so much for visiting and sharing a tidbit of my life....old as it is. 60 is just a number, right?? GOOD LUCK!

Kvothe... an Avenger??

I admit, I am not a big comic book fan. My grandsons and sons have enjoyed a few of the Super Heroes but not to the extreme. I usually catch the big blockbuster comic movies on DVD. I've been without internet for 2 days (I'm using my neighbor's weak signal to post this....Shhhh) but this morning, I had a former librarian buddy send me this link on Tor.com. They've made a list of "Epic Fantasy Avengers" and if your scroll down, Kvothe from the Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss is listed. AND my illustration is used. That's pretty darn cool, don't you think? Just thought I'd share this. (Thanks Mike, for telling me).

New Face on Website

I have so much to post about. Attended a workshop taught by Greg Manchess. Tara L. Chang organized it and was so kind to let me stay with her. Been trying to catch up on my assignments from my mentorship with Rebecca Guay as well as finish up on the finals for the children's book I'm working on.

But first, I've redone my website. Rebecca went over each of our websites and didn't hold back on what she felt needed to go. So, I've taken her advise and cleaned the whole site up. (That sure takes time). I also redid the home page. This painting of Kvothe probably gets more hits than anything else on my blog. I have also found him in various and sundry place on the web (without credit or permission) and Rebecca said it was time to clarify who drew him and put him out there with my name next to it in BIG LETTERS.  I'm also in the process of changing things here on my blog, so stay tuned.

Wise Man's Fear

Well, it's March 1st and with two jobs due this week, I can't finish this as planned. Did work more on it and began painting it in Photoshop, but just barely.

The worst part will be staring at the book from across the room, while it taunts me to come and read. No can do until commissions are done.

Countdown to Kvothe

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss took me by surprise. I didn't know what to expect. Orson Scott Card had given it a huge thumbs up and I was going on his review of the book when I invested in the hardback. Rothfuss had me under his spell with the prologue. Loved the book and like many of his fans, have patiently waited for the sequel. Well, it's almost here. March 1st, Kvothe's saga continues with Wise Man's Fear. This is good storytelling, folks. Great storytelling. Even my sister, who doesn't read fantasy, liked the book well enough to pre-order the sequel. My Austin-loving daughter liked it. Now there's an endorsement for you.

Someday, I hope I can meet Mr. Rothfuss. His book signing tour isn't coming here (no surprise) but I was able to secure a signed copy. Yeah...I'm excited. I'm going to savor every page.

During my "sketch time', in-between the deadlines, I've been doing some fanart, attempting a sort of movie poster version with Kvothe being larger....we'll see if I can make it work. Bast isn't new (lower right-hand corner), but my take on Denna and an older Kvothe is. I've done a younger Kvothe (see above). Thought he should grow up a bit. Goal: have this done by 3-1.

T-Shirt Ideas

Shirt#1 BACK

Shirt #1 FRONT

Shirt #2 BACK

Shirt #2 FRONT

Patrick Rothfuss, author of The Name of the Wind, just ran a t-shirt design contest on his blog. I usually follow his blog but had missed the last couple of posts. Had one day to do this so I went with what I had. Very factual, very boring. I know someone will come up with a clever one with much hilarity and wit. It did, however, force me to fix somethings on Kvothe's face that bothered me alot (mouth and nose). Here's the newer version. If you haven't read NOTW, DO SO. His long awaited sequel is due out next March.

Young Kvothe from The Name of the Wind

by Patrick Rothfuss

SAD

SAD's...Sketch A Day. Two are for an illustration I'm trying to do for Name of the Wind. Girl just came out of my head. One of my goals after IMC was to fill every page of my sketchbook with both sketches and art-related notes before returning the next year. Have many pages yet to fill.

Second Attempt on Bast, Prince of Twilight

I posted this last week, but something wasn't right about him so I tried again to fix the problems. Hope this is better. As I said before, Bast is this rather mysterious character from Patrick Rothfuss's book, Name of the Wind. He is the apprentice to Kvothe, who is the main character of the story. We know he's Fae and can be fiercely loyal to his master. He's 150 years old and his appearance is altered for human eyes through a glamour spell. I think. We still don't know much about him. His full title is Bastas, son of Remmen, Prince of Twilight and the Telwyth Mael.

A little bit more work on Kvothe. . .

Brought the saturation down and colored his cloak and one little leaf. Don't know if his hair is "flaming" enough. I'll have to see after the lute is finished.

Kvothe Sketch....continued

Once AGAIN, attempting to paint this in Photoshop. This is as far as I got tonight while semi-watching the Olympics. Oops. It looks highly saturated here. Of course, he does has striking coloring. I'm sure many things will change before I finish. Still have much to do and I'm taking more time with the brush choices and such.

Kvothe Update

Okay there was something really bothering me about that last Kvothe so I deleted him. This is the sketch reworked and NOW I will try again to color him in PhotoShop using another brush since I've learned a little bit more about the Wacom nibs. The Kvothe character is a flaming redhead and the redheads I know have very light lashes and brows so I've tried to show that, especially in his lashes. I also added the leaves to indicate more motion around him. Sarah, I appreciated your comments about the pain in his face and tried to put that in. Remember though, this is Kvothe in his youth.

Kvothe Sketch

I've already posted how much I enjoyed The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Today during sketch time, I tried to see if I could come up with a idea of how Kvothe might look. Not finished yet, but I think I will keep working on him.