In The Word Wood

I needed to take a break from illustrating Joseph Delaney’s next book
(Spook’s Blood), so I took the opportunity to make another ‘Local
Characters’ portrait.
Like Comfort in Quilting, the subject is a real person (and a real dog)
going about their normal business; in this case a multi-award winning writer
who likes to start the day pretty much in the fashion depicted.
I conceived the idea a few months ago, but waited until now to paint it, in
order to catch the autumnal (best time of year without doubt) atmosphere.
Below are a few of the stages. Unfortunately, I made a bit of a mess of the
bottom segment and had to paint some extra leaves separately which were
stuck on in Photoshop. When I have the patience I’ll cut them out and stick
them on for real.
Now I’ve had my leafy fun, it’s back to the Boggarts and Lamias and Fiends
of the Wardstone Chronicles…