Gooday everyone,
Welcome to the Deacon Corner. If you’re new here, these galleries dive into the inspirations behind the images you’ll find throughout the books posted on these pages. In these issues, I also like to share the commission details for each project, so readers can follow along with how these images came to life.
If there’s a particular piece you’re curious about, you can find all previous issues under my journal entries or linked directly beneath the images within each chapter.
Now before we begin, none of these beautiful art pieces would exist without the incredible talent of Sickjoe who is the creative force behind all the artwork in these books. Quite literally the heart and soul of this visual world. If you appreciate his work as much as I do, I encourage you to visit his gallery and explore more of his stunning creations.
Now, without further ado, let's take a look at the featured image and the commission details below.
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Narrative Context
For the re-release of The Pallid War, I’m adding chapters to better connect the realms and expand the origins of the Scholars. These long-lived, Leviathan-resonant beings suffer the curse of the Mangle, but their transformation begins much earlier with the choices made by their leader, Itrit.
Itrit travels to the Oxidized Garden to negotiate with Morta for the fate of his protégé, Felix. In extending the boy’s life, Morta damns him to a temporary monstrosity, but she promises never again to allow a mortal to fall as far as Nona’s mother once did.
This brings us to the new artwork.
Artwork Theme
This is a monochrome, black-and-white piece done in our established Cathedral setting — pews, pipes, the Fates’ weaving, etc. The focus is a close-up of Morta and Oxidized Igor, with the background present only as subtle context.
Morta, the Duchess of Death
Centuries have passed since the events of the Oxidized and Reduced Garden, and Morta has changed significantly. She has reclaimed her mantle as guardian of death and carries herself with a serene, feminine grace. Rather than the gruff tomboy we met before, she now has the presence of a Greek goddess, dressed in flowing peplos.
She is shown grooming the mane of Oxidized Igor, her biomechanical spider-steed (The same one we know and love from the prior pieces). Igor doesn’t need to fill the frame, the emphasis should be on Morta herself, but a portion of the steed should be visible to anchor the scene.
Reduced Igor – The Bracelet
Morta wears a strange locomotive shaped bracelet on her arm which she names Reduced Igor. Not to be confused with her pale steed...
The locomotive’s mechanical legs clutch into her arm, becoming part of her anatomy. Reduced Igor is fully conscious, constantly whispering advice and commentary, a perpetual annoyance, as Morta puts it, “a real buzzkill on date night.”
Final Direction
This artwork should capture Morta’s evolution, while showcasing the alien accessory that symbolizes her bond, burden, and responsibility. This is the true Duchess of Death, fully realized.