Behind the Art: The Making of the Dark Fantasy Neverland Wars Portraits

The realm of dark fantasy never fails to stir the fire of my creativity. The genre, whether in art or fiction, serves as the catalyst for my artistic journey, guiding me from inspiration to illustration, and currently manifesting in my Neverland art series. Through my social media videos, I offer glimpses into the process of my craft, though there is much more to reveal. In this blog, I seek to unveil the process from inception to completion as I reimagine the iconic figures of Peter Pan through the lens of dark fantasy.

It all begins with a vision—a fleeting image that dances within the corridors of my mind until it coalesces into clarity. This is the spark that ignites the flame of creation, an inexorable force demanding expression, heedless of time or rest. Often accompanied by the cadence of music or the narration of an audiobook, I sketch the essence of my characters using my iPad, Apple Pencil, and True Grit’s ink pen brushes in Procreate. This digital canvas allows me to refine each detail, smoothing rough edges and orchestrating the interplay of light and shadow.

Utilizing these initial sketches, I bring my creations to life across various merchandise, from apparel to homeware, leveraging the efficiency of Procreate to streamline the process. This spares me both time and labor in translating my visions into products for you to purchase and use to express your unique personality to the world.

Once the vision has materialized, I embark upon the next phase, transitioning from digital sketch to meticulous pencil work on Bristol Vellum paper. These “tight pencils,” as they are called in the comic book industry, meticulously outline every detail, capturing the essence of the character in its entirety, the shadows that create so much of its form. Yet, it is in the ink that the magic truly flourishes, where each stroke breathes life into the character, imbuing it with an otherworldly allure.