Conceptual Designs
Just a few ideas as things went along. Many things are still buried in spreadsheets and OneNote, but here are a few of the more visual bits. Judah has far more than these on his website, and I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to visit there! I’m pretty sure that chapters 9 and 10 of Nocturne’s Fall would not exist in the same way without the inspiration of his artwork.
Cracking Code
Judah tackles a perception from chapter three in an earlier revision. May make more sense to place this art more in chapter two now. I love the blue highlights from the screen.
One can see the progression here, of sketch to ink to color.
Click through to see the full-sized images on JudahCreative.com
SECOND PACK
No doubt my favorite piece from Judah. He captures the speed and the disorientation and urgency of the scene!
RINGBAY DIAGRAM
A quick-and-dirty sketch up drawing to help understand the way the gravgen meshes can make gravtity and orientation a little unnerving. Not shown here would be the recovery bay doors along the top of the ship. Reconnection of the recovered Paladins to the spinner arms probably takes significant time.
SHATTERED PLANS
Nothing ever works out like you expect.
SLEEPER’S CHAMBER
This image from Judah set up the last few chapters of the book. He and I had discussed what it might look like, and then he sends me this! So inspiring that I modified the storyline to match.
Planet Walker
Fantastic artwork from Judah. Please do yourself a favor and click through to his site to see this image in all of its glory!
I love it when he gets inspired by a concept and then continues to revise and enhance it, as in the earlier non-colored version below.
Nice but Not Quite
A great fellow named Mehmet rendered this one. I love the way it looks, very sleek and modern. Ultimately, it was not quite the direction I was headed. Difficult to describe the ring bays and their importance to the story. So, while this render is appealing, it doesn’t fit the narrative.
Also, this vessel never really felt “big” enough. I think it had to do with the bridge windows. I can’t see seventy people living for months on end inside this ship. Maybe ten?
Overall, I feel like Mehmet gave the Bureau Navy too much credit for attractive designs.
Early Logo Attempt
Well, I tried. Not the world’s worst logo, but the final one looks so much more professional. I do like how the number three has a “Zork” door-like effect. Kinda.
I mean, I don’t hate it.
PALADIN
An artist’s attempt at a Paladin drone.