A few years ago I had the pleasure to receive a commission to illustrate Naomi Novik’s award winning novel Uprooted. The commission called for eight interior illustrations and a full color wrap around cover.
As I was reading the novel, the wonderfully episodic nature to Naomi’s writing and diverse cast of people, places, and events made me feel that eight images would not be enough to capture the feel of the book. In sketching out possible scenes, I considered doubling the number to sixteen. The problem with this is there were thirty-two chapters to the book. It didn’t seem right to ‘skip’ every other chapter to illustrate.
Frankenstein – Bernie Wrightson
Pondering what to do, I took a peek at the pinnacle of illustrated novels, Bernie Wrightson’s interpretation of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. There was my answer – an illustration for every chapter with a final count coming in around forty-seven. WOW! That was my bar to try and reach. Not that I could match Bernie’s quality, but at the least I could seek to match the chapter per chapter goal.
I approached Shawn Speakman, the publisher of Grim Oak Press for this edition, and pitched him the idea of doing ~ thirty-two illustrations for Uprooted.
His first response, ‘How much is this going to cost me?’
Uprooted – abstracts, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
I stated that if he stepped out of the way with art direction, and let me go direct to finals from my thumbnails, then the amount of time, energy, and labor would balance out (a little!) and I would not need any additional money for the fee.
Shawn’s enthusiastic response – ‘YES!’
On the surface of it, I had quadrupled my work for the interiors, with no extra compensation. But what was at play in my plan was that I had negotiated a chance to pull off thirty-two plus illustrations with no art direction and the freedom to experiment fully with my aesthetics.
Uprooted – Endpapers, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
And as I was not a total fool with financial concerns, creating these illustrations as original drawings allowed for the recapture of labor costs on the backside in sales of the originals. A win-win for all of us!
Thus with a determined focus, a deadline of approximately four months, and full creative freedom to explore and problem solve, I dove head first into my first major illustrated novel.
Enjoy the art, and read the brilliant novel when you get the chance, it is a wonderful journey!
Uprooted – Chapter 1, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 2, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 3, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 4, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 5, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 6, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 7- Fulmia!, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 8, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 9, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 10, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 11, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 12, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 13, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 14, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 15, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 16, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 17, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 18, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 19, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 20, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 21, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 22, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 23, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 24, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 25, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 26, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 27, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 28, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 29, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 30, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 31, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – Chapter 32, 14″ x 11″ Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper, Donato Giancola
Uprooted – cover, 24″ x 36″ Oil on Panel, Donato Giancola
Each sketch is a terrific part of imaginarium. Outstanding. Composition, craftsmanship, everything… Thank you very much.
Thank you for the kind comments Valerii.
Holy smokes, Donato! These are all phenomenal.
Thanks Dan! I miss full-drawn projects some times, and this story spoke deeply to me, thus I was willing to turn on the creativity full-bore!
An absolute page-turner of a book, so I fully understand why it captured your passion. The results speak for themselves! I go look at these on your website regularly. They’re incredibly inspiring!
A wonderful book right!? Thanks for the comments Bruce!
Gorgeous! Were they published in the same (toned-paper) format/colors?
Unfortunately the art had to be black and white…maybe some day we’ll do a full toned color version!
Fantastic! What a collection of drawings!
These drawings were a highlight of my experience with your exhibit in Huntsville, AL. The movement and composition in each of these drawings is spellbinding. Delightful to see them all collected here!
Thank you Will. Glad you were able to take in the exhibit at the Museum!
I love this! A great business deal that allowed you to do art you could really pour yourself into. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, Donato!
What a magnificent collection of drawings. I love the swirls.
Brutality!
The one with the door (chapter 19) is my favorite. The lighting bolt one is pretty cool too.
So apt and so beautiful. When i reached the illustration on chapter 7 and then 9 i couldn’t believe how well the essence of her mad desperate months was captured in such small focused frames. I also love the palpable love of kasia and agnietzka in every illustration they share. Thankyou for deciding to go beyond what you were asked for this story.
super art
I don’t like the cover very much. I think it’s the colors.
But all the other drawings are absolutely wonderful! They are like illustrations of a fairy tale, which matches the vibe of the books perfectly.