The PiRATe CRuNCHeR!!

[duddlebug]

A few years back I entered a COW on conceptart. I did a quick job on the theme of 'Deep Sea Creature' and came up with a bit of a silly entry called 'The Pirate Muncher'. There was a little bit of controversy about whether my entry was a piece of concept art, or an illustration, or if it was even a 'Deep Sea Creature'...

So I give in, it was an illustration. And now, four years later, it's a book. 'The Pirate Cruncher' is published today by Templar, and it's a dream come true for me. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to do a picture book and it's a great feeling to have something of my own to read to my four-year-old daughter. It's not perfect, but I'm hoping it's a good start, that kids will enjoy it and that it'll be the first of many!

So, bearing in mind that the idea came about on conceptart, I thought this would be the place to post some images first.... I've learnt a lot from the artists on this forum and been inspired every time I log in, so I'd say conceptart has a hand in this. Thanks to all the artists who are generous, and brave enough, to share.

It's all digital (Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter), from the sketches to final art. I hope some folk like it, and some of you even decide to buy it. Published in the UK today and available in all good book stores and online, and due for US publication in April.

Here's a selection of spreads... Some with text (some of which is early text that has since changed a bit) an some without!

This image is the wraparound cover, the spine runs through the waist of the pirate being tugged.



The endpapers (the version at the back is slightly different!)



Some more spreads...















This weird shaped page is a fold down flap that reveals the Pirate Cruncher.



And the other surprise at the end (if the reader didn't see it coming!)




I might post the rest of the spreads later if folk are interested, and I'll take some photos of the book and post 'em to make it clearer!

[Wasker]

Awesome John! I'll get myself a copy right away!

[StreetBehemoth]

wow! you really ran with that! you are amazing.

[SalOnimaruRem]

awesome!!! great job dude!!

[Cam Sykes]

great style, had alot of fun reading through it. A good moral to it too, that they become consumed becasue of their greed.

[Rick-K]

WOW. It's beautiful!

[duddlebug]

Wasker, StreetBehemoth, Oni Rem, Cam Sykes, Rick-K... Thanks! I'm glad y'all like it...

And Cam Sykes, I noticed you're in Sydney. The book's being published by Koala Books in Oz very soon. It's paperback, rather than the UK hardback, but all the same dimensions with the fold out flap'n'all. I've got a couple of copies of the Australian version here.

I thought I'd post the 'originals' here. Firstly, the Version I did as a portfolio piece when I went freelance, also featured in 'Digital Art Masters v.2' and Spectrum 15. An updated version is also part of the SOI Spectrum exhibition now on in New York:



And the first version, done rather quickly for COW no.24 in October 2005, looking pretty shabby to me now!!!



It's funny that what started out as a quick lunchtime doodle for COW, can become something quite important in my career so far. It's made me realise that just getting your ideas out there is what it's all about....

[Kan Muftić]

John, so glad to see you posting again. These are gorgeous pages, man. Loving the sea waves in particular!

[Lotet]

wow, this is reaaaally awezome. love it

[willerthekiller]

Wonderful, thank you for posting

[banhatin]

duddlebug :Nice to see your new works !very inspiring!Hopes can see your works in new Spectrum 16

[Noah Bradley]

Amazing work. Great job.

[Ostrander]

Wooooooooow, I remember this! Awesome, awesome awesome. Congrats!

[Bendragon]

Hey! Great story of turning old COW pieces into a book! Maybe now we can look forward to more books inspired by the COW activity? Good work!

[Aly Fell]

Jonny, you know what I think of this. You SO deserve it! My copy is on the mantelpiece with incense wafting round it and silk and gold caressing it's shiny cover.

[[void]]

Brilliant! I think I'll have to pick one up.

Thanks for sharing.

[DavidSmit]

Beautifull! I will definately get a copy of this one when I get the chance!

[Dave Kendall]

Brilliant Jon. Will definitely be getting this. I'm about to become a Dad and I'm really looking forward to filling the house with beautifully illustrated children's books. Not that I really need that excuse. This deserves great success.

[Erishaham]

Good Stuff! Pre-ordered.

[Nubb]

This is one of the most beautiful, charming and magical picture books i've ever seen.

[Dizon]

BOOTYFUL!!!

[torstan]

Just saw this yesterday at the SOI exhibition in NY - we bought a postcard to send to my wife's godson! He's going to be so happy that there's a book. I had no idea that this was a COW entry first. It's fantastic!

Well done.

[Nightblue]

This is great stuff. Please post a reminder around when the US book comes out, and I'll make sure to buy it. Beautiful art and lovely story

[Matt Dixon]

Great stuff, JD!

[Borilius]

Awesome, simply awesome!

[Oblio]

excellent... good to see it a finished project.

[hurricane]

That is wonderful buddy, I got to pick one up for my son. He is a bit too young at the moment but I will buy a copy to have ready when he is old enough

The art looks great! Very beautiful colours and characters!

WELL DONE!
Bjorn.

[lewiston]

Yes, man, a dream come true, I believe you. I'm still dreaming... Congratulations, that you made it! And ist really great.. I have to see if I find one online for my little daughter.

Alse great to see how one of the many conceptart.org activities turned into something like this.

[thegrayslayer]

Hi Jonny, hope you are well matey. Your stuff looks great, really impressive. Keep up the good work!

~Slayer (Paule)

[chaves]

Beautiful stuff. Love your style