I pretty much knew what this character was going to look like from the moment I thought of him, but I had to narrow in on some of the particulars. His costume is inspired more or less by Oliver Twist. Patches on the knee, boots too big for him,...

I pretty much knew what this character was going to look like from the moment I thought of him, but I had to narrow in on some of the particulars. His costume is inspired more or less by Oliver Twist. Patches on the knee, boots too big for him, things like that. But vest or no vest? Big belt? What is that rag wrapped around his wrist? I think I centered on a pretty good design in the comic. 

Joe Wierenga field guide magical animals character

I’ve been writing a story set in a universe with all sorts of magical animals. Not just harpies, from Greek mythology, but also alkonost and gamayun from Russian lore, and garuda from Sanscrit. All of them. All the fantasy bird-people. So how to tell...

I’ve been writing a story set in a universe with all sorts of magical animals. Not just harpies, from Greek mythology, but also alkonost and gamayun from Russian lore, and garuda from Sanscrit. All of them. All the fantasy bird-people. So how to tell them apart? 

This is concept art for the alkonost. In Russian lore they lay their eggs in the sea and cause storms, so it seemed natural to make them seabirds. This way you can easily tell them apart from the carrion bird harpies.

More to come! 

Joe Wierenga field guide magical animals character alkonost

I’m working on a comic called The Field Guide To Magical Animals. I’m not quite sure how I want to draw all of the magical animals. All of these are ways I could draw pixies, and still have them fit in the same drawing style with the main characters....

I’m working on a comic called The Field Guide To Magical Animals. I’m not quite sure how I want to draw all of the magical animals. All of these are ways I could draw pixies, and still have them fit in the same drawing style with the main characters. I have my favorite, I think, do you guys have any thoughts?

Joe Wierenga character field guide magical animals fantasy

An oldie but a goodie. This is a character I’ve been drawing since college. He’s basically every negative quality humanity has bundled up in one adorable package. I made this character sheet for him a while ago, now I present it to you.

An oldie but a goodie. This is a character I’ve been drawing since college. He’s basically every negative quality humanity has bundled up in one adorable package. I made this character sheet for him a while ago, now I present it to you. 

Joe Wierenga wierenga character artists on tumblr

I did this in the wrong order, I guess. I ended up designing the character as I drew her in the animation I posted the other day, and when the animation was finished I decided I liked the look of her so I did some character design doodles here. The...

I did this in the wrong order, I guess. I ended up designing the character as I drew her in the animation I posted the other day, and when the animation was finished I decided I liked the look of her so I did some character design doodles here. The costume is slightly different, and she has a badass scar now. 

wierenga character dangereux

I did some character art based how Tyrion Lannister appears in my head, as I’m reading the books. Of all the characters, he probably differs the most in the show. Peter Dinklage is great, don’t get me wrong, and his voice is absolutely perfect. He’s...

I did some character art based how Tyrion Lannister appears in my head, as I’m reading the books. Of all the characters, he probably differs the most in the show. Peter Dinklage is great, don’t get me wrong, and his voice is absolutely perfect. He’s just too darned handsome. 

I should note that in my reading, I look a liberty of my own. (spoiler) The book says that Tyrion has half his nose cut off, but it doesn’t really clarify which half. I though it would be much more grisly a face if the top half were gone. 

Joe Wierenga game of thrones george rr martin hbo character wierenga lannister tyrion lannister

Some medieval scientists I designed for an educational game last year. I haven’t put a lot of my professional work on this site because of the ownership rights, but this is a really fun one.

Some medieval scientists I designed for an educational game last year. I haven’t put a lot of my professional work on this site because of the ownership rights, but this is a really fun one. 

wierenga character


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