MHI - Martial Arts

One of several interior illustrations seen in the impending Hero Games Monster Hunter International Employee Handbook, the tabletop RPG and worldbook based on the Monster Hunter series of kickass urban fantasy novels by Larry Correia. Check it out!

On this project I enjoyed the rare pleasure of full-color paint work, something I used to avoid and now relish, because I'm almost positive I'm getting better at it.

The MHI series is all about finding those things that go bump in the night, and bumping back with .357 silver-tipped hollowpoints. It was especially important that I illustrate the weapons in these illustrations accurately, as detailed and realistic description and usage of firearms is a hallmark of Correia's novels in general. This particular piece illustrates a Hunter disarming a deranged cultist, but crazy-eyes isn't down for the count just yet (though you would think the Glock against his temple would make a decisive argument). The Latin on the Hunter's arm loosely translates to (I think) "Without Knowledge, Skill Is Nothing".

This work was pretty similar to what I had to do for the Mistborn RPG (converting book content into visuals), except that the contemporary setting of the MHI novels doesn't require quite so much improvisation in terms of fashion design. It doesn't really make the job easier, per se, but it gives me lots more leeway in terms of reference.

This was PS CS5.5 and ye olde Cintiq 21.