2 Illos from a children's fantasy story

[JeffZNY]

Hey folks. I'm in the process of writing a fantasy novel geared toward kids - specifically kids with affection for things that go bump in the dark. I've been putting some illustrations together as I go along as well, just to keep the creative juices flowing.

Anywho, here are a couple of my favorites (more on my website (http://www.jeffzachowski.com/category/art-design/white-raven/)). I've included some excerpts from the text as well. Comments and Crits welcome!
The voice was that of a man, but the corporal form was of some other creature altogether. It stood upright like a man, and its brown bowler hat was that of a man, and its tattered slacks and tweed suit-vest were modeled after the fashion of men; but its comically elongated limbs and torso betrayed its costume, as did its face, impossibly sharp and angular, and its eyes, feline and sun-bright. Much to Quinn’s amusement, she noticed that the mock-man wore no shoes either, and dirty toenails on long, spindly toes poked their faces out of holey socks.
He was bizarre and unsettling, and he had appeared out of nowhere.

http://www.jeffzachowski.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/forest2.jpg (http://www.jeffzachowski.com/category/art-design/white-raven/)
His molted boa seemed to have consumed his body, covering his legs and torso in ugly, bile-colored feathers. Wings like those of a gigantic condor had sprouted from his back, though his gangly arms and gnarled hands remained unchanged, creviced with septic-green veins and tipped by tar-black fingernails. It was as if the being could not decide if it were man or vulture, and the only thing on which it was in agreement was its malice. Even the thing’s moustache looked filled with rancor, and it soared towards her with maleficent intent, the hovering hat above the crown of its head trailing slightly behind, straining to keep up.
http://www.jeffzachowski.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/vulture-scene.jpg (http://www.jeffzachowski.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/vulture-scene-big.jpg)
BIGGER (http://www.jeffzachowski.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/vulture-scene-big.jpg)

Thanks for looking guys!

[rose-colligan]

hey there ;)

I really like the second image, it has a lovely composition, lots of yummy texture going on and the characters are gorgeously bizarre. ( I especailly like the old-top-hat-wearing-bird-man and I have quite a thing for seudo-Victorian looking illustration). I do think though that the characters look a little dis-jointed from the background...although perhaps this was a stylistic choice? it gives it quite a collage affect. Its not a major issue as you have kept a similar colour pallette across the image which holds it all together. The first image it doesnt work as well though and looks more dis-jointed. I really like the line-work in the second image but Im not too sure about in the first, it seems a little contrived, particulaly in the trees.

I like your idea for creating a childrens book full of creepy characters..its what I loved as a child and not enough people realise that its sometimes what kids enjoy the most :) keep going with this!

[JeffZNY]

Thanks for commenting Rose! Ironically, I'm much happier with the first image than the second. Funny how opinions can differ so drastically like that - I guess that's why they call it art! In my opinion, the first one has a stained-glass, rackham-esque quality to it that I find really charming. The second one - well, let's just say it got away from me a little bit. I was close to abandoning it at one point, but I pushed through. Maybe after some time away from it I'll be able to return to it eventually and mold it into something a bit more in keeping with what I had in mind at the outset. I like the character designs, but as you noted, the background is disjointed. Probably the wrong stylistic choice on my part, you're correct. Interesting that you think the first is even more disjointed...oh well. Thanks again!