ENDER'S GAME / SPEAKER FOR THE DEAD

    Good News Everyone!! Recently I was commissioned by Matthew Kalamidas at Science Fiction Book Club to illustrate the cover to a collection of the first two books in the Ender’s Game series, “Ender’s Game” and “Speaker for the Dead”.  Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game” is a Hugo and Nebula Award winning novel which has inspired a Marvel Comics series, a video game and forthcoming movie starring Harrison Ford and Sir Ben Kingsley coming to theaters this November.   I was surprised, overwhelmed and then really excited by the potential image I could create for this beloved novel. 

After seeing all the past covers for the series I decided to treat mine more like a pre-production illustration for film rather than a stand alone book cover or theater poster style image.   Something I could hand off to a production designer.  I really wanted to get in and play with a little environment design and costume design for Ender's flash suit as well.  This however meant a ton more work than what would normally go into a sci fi cover illustration.

  
Matthew Kalamidas was kind enough to do an interview with me about the cover on his blog. Check it out when you have a chance.  
I had so much fun developing this painting that I figured I’d share the steps in its creation.  So for any students or Ender Wiggin fans out there, these next few posts are for you. Check back for updates....

Lastly, a close up of the kid with my initials proudly wearing the colors of Dragon Army!!!  The Enemy's Gate is what?!!!!