Ravenloft Artbook of Talon Dunning

[Scipion_Emilien]

FINALLY RECEIVED IT!

Now I need to wait to open it (It is at my permanent address and not where I reside right now.)

[Talon]

FINALLY RECEIVED IT!
Now I need to wait to open it (It is at my permanent address and not where I reside right now.)

Glad to hear it! I sent it to the the address I was given though, so you can't blame the last part on me!

-Talon

[Champ Masters]

Hi there Talon, I'm a long time lurker here on the forums, but I felt that should create an account just so I could express my thanks for putting together such an awesome sketch book! I have to say that the work you did for 3e Ravenloft is among my favorites from any edition of the setting. Your Darklord portraits ooze such style and personality, it really is amazing! Again, thanks for putting together this sketch book for the Ravenloft community, it truly is a treat!

P.S. Thumbs up on the werewolf sketch!


-Nick

[hidajiremi]

Even though I'm not able to buy this book, I just wanted to say that I love Talon's work. For me, he's the definitive Ravenloft artist. (Though, if you're still reading this thread, Talon, what was up with von Kharkov? ) If I ever get into a position to publish my own RPG (instead of just writing for other people), Talon is definitely the guy I would want to illustrate it.


Jeremy Puckett

[Jester of the FoS]

Just got paid again so I ordered mine. Another shipment to Canada (at a decent price too, I was impressed).

[Talon]

Thanks again, folks! I'm pleased, humbled and flattered that you all have such nice things to say about my work, and I'm very glad you like the sketchbook and your sketches.

What's up with Von Kharkov? Ummmm... I'm not sure what you mean. Is there something wrong with Von Kharkov? Well, aside from being an evil bastard?

-Talon

[Joël of the FoS]

This question was unseen:

Talon, is there a NPC you had any difficulty drawing? Why?

[Talon]

This question was unseen:

Talon, is there a NPC you had any difficulty drawing? Why?

Sorry, I did miss this post. No, I can't think of any characters I had any particular problem with off the top of my head, at least not because of the character. There's always times when the drawing doesn't work as well as you'd like and you have to struggle, but that's rarely due to the subject matter. Of course, most of these characters had already been illustrated by other artists. They weren't as much work as ones that were new to the White Wolf version as I didn't have to invent them from scratch. My first batch of portraits came out a little weird mostly because I wasn't used to doing that sort of work on that level yet. It didn't take me long to get into the swing of things, though.

-Talon

[HuManBing]

I hope this hasn't been asked yet, but what was your absolute favorite piece of art you've done for Ravenloft? Was there any piece of art you did where it all came together just so, from mind's eye to pen tip?

[Talon]

I hope this hasn't been asked yet, but what was your absolute favorite piece of art you've done for Ravenloft? Was there any piece of art you did where it all came together just so, from mind's eye to pen tip?

That's a tough question to answer. There are a lot of them that I really liked. The monster triptych from the main book is a favorite, to be sure. I also really liked the Lamordian Store picture if only for its mood and subtle hints at horror. A few of the Tarokka cards came out particularly nicely (The Temptress, The Hero and the Page of Coins comes to mind). I really liked a few of the prestige class pics as well, including the Black Powder Avenger, the Alchemical Philosopher and the Hallowed Witch. For portraits, my favorites are Shih Suren, Victor Mordenheim, Lady Kazandra, Vlad Drakov, Azlin Rex, Jacqueline Montarri, Tristan Ap Blanc, Toben The Many, Talena Von Zarovich, Celeste d'Honaire-Loverde, Loht, Lady In The Lake, Ivan Dilisnya, Dominic d'Honaire and, of course, the Weathermay twins. I'm also really proud of the Masque of the Red Death class pics.

If I had to pick an absolute favorite, it would probably either be the original monster triptych or the portrait of Celeste d'Honaire-Loverde. Never mind that both of these pics happen to feature creepy little girls.

-Talon

[herkles]

and woo I think my check went through.

Talon is their a favorite domion or theme you like to draw?

[Joël of the FoS]

One picture I love is the one where one of the twin (Gennifer) is sick near her coach, and Ivana's driver is coming her way (Legacy of the Blood).

Joël

[Talon]

One picture I love is the one where one of the twin (Gennifer) is sick near her coach, and Ivana's driver is coming her way (Legacy of the Blood).

Really? That's one of my least favorites, actually. I always thought I could have handled that one more dramatically.

Talon is their a favorite domion or theme you like to draw?

I've very much partial to Barovia. To me, Barovia IS Ravenloft. I also like Lamordia, although I'm really sure why. It could be because I got to draw all the pics for that Domain in the Gazetteer. Thematically, I liked the pics that was based more on the Renaissance, Colonial and Victorian periods than the standard Medieval fantasy stuff. Those were the most fun because they were outside the standard D&D norm. The historical costuming was one of my favorite things about drawing for the game.

-Talon

[HuManBing]

My personal favorite Talon portrait was the superb drawing of Vladimir Ludzig in GazII. Mark Nelson III drew a sort of "Gothpunk vampire" concept in 2nd ed., but Talon's portrayal really brought out the charisma and personal energy of the character. Depending on how you look at it, the character is more than a touch androgynous, too - the lips are so fine as to be maidenly and actually only the topmost is visible.

[Talon]

My personal favorite Talon portrait was the superb drawing of Vladimir Ludzig in GazII. Mark Nelson III drew a sort of "Gothpunk vampire" concept in 2nd ed., but Talon's portrayal really brought out the charisma and personal energy of the character. Depending on how you look at it, the character is more than a touch androgynous, too - the lips are so fine as to be maidenly and actually only the topmost is visible.

If that's the one I'm thinking of, he was actually a hard one to do because they wanted a character that was described like he stepped out of Vampire: The Masquerade, but yet still had to have a fantasy feel to him. That was a tough line to walk. In the end, it's all about the sunglasses, which, yes, may cross the line a little bit, but that's what sells the look, I think. I'm pleased you like that one.

-Talon