^ Early pencil sketches, trying to establish how Wax and Steris would interact on their journey into the skies over New Seran. When creating narrative illustrations, I consider the motivation of my characters- Wax has realized his attraction to Steris, and (knowing what comes later) I decided to play with the ideas of a cordial dance invitation, the first slow dance at a wedding, or carrying someone over a threshold. Often, the most interesting moments in stories for me as an artist are also a “threshold” moment in a character’s arc, and sometimes the threshold is the clouds over a beautiful city skyline.
^ Approved tight line sketch and color rough.