Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Sherlock Holmes!

I've got another book coming out from Quirk Books today; "The Sherlock Holmes Handbook: The Methods and Mysteries of the World's Greatest Detective," by Ransom Riggs. The book is full of interior illustrations and it's a fun read for any fan of Arthur Conan Doyle's most loved character.

Originally I was given the task of creating a look similar to the original Sidney Paget illustrations that appeared with the published stories, but it was too daunting a task to handle. Thankfully they were happy with the look I was able to provide, and I think they conveyed the right atmosphere for this kind of subject matter.

This project required a lot of versatility in that I had to illustrate a variety of scenarios as well as objects and animals. It was a fun challenge and I love the design of the book, done by Doogie Horner over at Quirk; it looks and feels like an old hardcover novel from the 19th century.

Here are some samples:


Sherlock experiencing a bit of malaise.


Sherlock Holmes exhibiting his skills in Bartistu.




A cane is not necessarily a sign of a handicap.


Move over Errol Flynn.


Shedding a clever disguise.


The Hound of The Baskervilles.



The Victorian Opium Den as described in Holmes' world.


The Baker Street Irregulars.


The avid beekeeper.


An accomplished violinist.


The demise of Professor Moriarty.