"Together at Last: The Story of Rowan and Torrin's Long-Awaited Reunion"
Fantasy book illustration by Kindrie Grove
Excerpt From Book Three
Chapter: Awakening
"...Rowan opened her eyes – her real eyes – and stared up at the gently curving roof of the cave, illuminated with Raken orb-lights. Her body felt stiff and heavy, and her throat throbbed with pain. She blinked slowly as the swirling memories became coherent in her mind. She had felt Torrin holding her hand, had seen his memory of them all arriving, him lying beside her so Tyria could take them all into the In Between to find her.
Pulling in a ragged breath, she turned her head. Sweet Erys, he was here. She had not believed she would ever see him again. His eyes were open, gazing at her with such profound relief that tears sprang to her eyes in response.
His mind shield was still intact, sheltering them both, and Rowan relished the sensation of being enveloped in his protective love.
You found me.
Always. He propped himself on an elbow and reached down to kiss her softly..."
Drawing Overview...
This drawing was such a delight to create. Rowan and Torrin are separated by inconceivable distance during Book Three, and much of the story focuses on how they will get back to each other.
Creating a drawing that portrays their reunion, and speaks to everything they are to each other, was a fulfilling challenge.
Being a hopeful person,
I am usually drawn to stories with happy endings...
Rowan and Torrin's love story, which threads through all of the books, is an important aspect of the story, but is never more important than the rest of the action, adventures and overall plots in the books.
I haven't really explored their love story through the illustrations much, and I think – just like how that theme is written into the novels – a lot of it is best left up to the imagination.
In the end, I believe that kind of story telling is far more powerful in the imagination of readers than when the details are given on the page.
Early Stage...
Lines become shadows and highlights...
As drawings emerge onto the page, it is so enjoyable to see the sketchy drafting lines evolve toward more detailed shadings. Sometimes though, I find it is hard to cover up the loose, gestural lines. Taking progress photos helps to make sure that part of the process is not lost, and of course as the artist, I enjoy that layering immensely.
If you compare, you can see where many of those initial drafting lines still read through the detailed layers of the completed work.
Detail...
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"Together at Last: The Story of Rowan and Torrin's Long-Awaited Reunion" Fantasy book illustration by Kindrie Grove Copyrights: ©Kindrie Grove Studios Inc. All art work and illustrations by Kindrie Grove. All written content and characters related to The Stone Guardians Books by Kindrie Grove are protected under copyright law.
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