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Nickillus — Dragon Quest - Shortsville

Published: 2010-06-28 09:48:43 +0000 UTC; Views: 5462; Favourites: 45; Downloads: 0
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Description Did the watercolour paintings for a children's book called 'Dragon Quest' a while ago. It first came out in the late 1990's but seems to have gone through a reprint a couple of years ago.
Worked on it with the fantastic Andy Dixon, who has a delicious sense of the absurd. Went on to work with him on a subsequent title in the series 'Star Quest'.

Apologies for the poor quality of the reproduction here. Had to scan it from the printed book as the publisher kept the originals. We've had a bit of a falling out about that.

Published by Usborne.

ISBN-10 1409508528
ISBN-13 978-1409508526

More info here -
[link]

copyright Nick Harris and Usborne 1998
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Comments: 15

Courtlessjester [2020-06-21 22:06:15 +0000 UTC]

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Fumettisto [2011-06-22 11:46:33 +0000 UTC]

I admire your fantastic watercolour technique! What colours do you use? And what kind of pen do you use to draw the linework?

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Fumettisto In reply to Fumettisto [2011-06-22 11:47:57 +0000 UTC]

And which paper?

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Nickillus In reply to Fumettisto [2011-07-01 15:38:05 +0000 UTC]

Many thanks for the kind words, Fumettisto. These were done around 1998-9, using a Rotring style fine line pen and Winsor and Newton Artist watercolours. Because they were for illustration I used Winsor and Newton Watercolour Board or Daler Wash and Line board - which are both mounted papers saving you the trouble of doing that bit yourself. The They both offer hot press or Not versions and I would tend to go for the 'Hot Press' for watercolour and 'Not' for Wash and Line board.

Colour wise, working over the inked drawing I would tend to lay a tonal wash (either warm or cool to set a colour cast - dependent on the piece)then do an underpainting using raw umber, to render some form. The I would start laying in larger shadow areas, using blues or whatever colour suited the colour cast.

Generally - Prussin Blue, Winsor Blue, Cobalt Blue, Sap Green, Winsor Yellow (or golden Yellow), Alizarin Crimson, Scarlet, Winsor Violet - were the staple diet for most of these - with the occasional spot colour like Turquoise, Rose Red etc to lift items now and again. Entirely up to you according to what you feel is right for the individual piece.

Hope that answers what you asked.
I'm all digital now - shame on me.

Best wishes,
Nick

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Fumettisto In reply to Nickillus [2011-07-04 07:13:44 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot, Nick, it really DID answer my questions!

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throughalocomotive [2010-12-16 19:21:14 +0000 UTC]

feels like i am too small and feeble even to post a comment on that magnificent work of yours, but i got to tell you how much inspiring and awesome your work is....thanks for sharing...

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Sir-Pumpkinhead [2010-07-07 01:53:08 +0000 UTC]

Woot! I'm amazed to find your art here I bought the Dragon Quest books (well only two) some years ago and I loved 'em Really liked the watercolor work and attention to details on them
Consider me a fan ^_^

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Nickillus In reply to Sir-Pumpkinhead [2010-07-18 11:02:14 +0000 UTC]

Thank you Sir-Pumpkinhead. Sorry about the tardy reply. Got a bit lost in a sea of Deviant comment stacking..

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Sir-Pumpkinhead In reply to Nickillus [2010-07-20 03:03:44 +0000 UTC]

No prob, Nick (may I call you that way?)
Getting used to DA and the comment system (and moreso if you're a pro) needs some time. I thank you for replying, most artist simply don't have that politeness.
Oh, and calling me J or Javier is fine, the nickname is quite too long (but still like it, so haven't thought about chaning it).

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Nickillus In reply to Sir-Pumpkinhead [2010-07-21 08:22:01 +0000 UTC]

Of course you may - it's my name after all. And thanks for allowing me to call you Javier. I'm always tripping over ID nicknames and insulting folk by accident. I like to be deliberate when I'm insulting someone - teehee.

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Sir-Pumpkinhead In reply to Nickillus [2010-07-24 21:31:29 +0000 UTC]

Thanks One can never be to sure about what to call people; it is the least I do when addressing a new acquaintance, so no prob Hehehe! direct insults are always better aimed, veiled ones tend to have a percentage of never "hitting" the actual target
I actually prefer Javier over my first name Adelbert. It's just too long

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Kadja [2010-06-29 00:25:38 +0000 UTC]

Seriously badass. I'm always envious of people who have the patience and skill to pull off illustrations like these.

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Nickillus In reply to Kadja [2010-07-01 12:42:25 +0000 UTC]

Nearly drove me mad though, Kadia. I began seeing dwarfs everywhere.
Thanks.

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Kadja In reply to Nickillus [2010-07-01 21:48:05 +0000 UTC]

Ahahaha I can imagine.

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Nickillus In reply to Kadja [2010-07-03 10:59:04 +0000 UTC]

And I have to wear glasses now too. Although that's as much an age thing I guess. Can't blame all my idiosyncrasies on that piece.
Cheers,
Kadia.

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