For our last behind-the-scenes blog for The Silver Bayonet: Canada, we spoke to the incredible people at Brainbug Design about the process that went into one of their new artworks for the book...
I’m Aidan, one of the co-founders of Brainbug Design. At this point I’ve ventured several times through the ever-expanding world of The Silver Bayonet, where art, horror, and imagination know no bounds!
Our creative journey for this illustration began, as always, with a brief. The description was clear: “European explorer in a combination of naval uniform and fur winter clothes with a fore-and-aft bicorne on top of a wool scarf tied under chin to keep the ears warm. She stands at the bow of an ice-locked ship, spyglass in hand.”
This scratched numerous creative itches simultaneously. I’ve always harboured a soft spot for tales of nautical derring-do and the harrowing accounts of expeditions gone terribly wrong. Some favourites (if you can call them that) include The Ice Master by Jennifer Niven and Endurance by Alfred Lansing. They transport you to a realm where even the simplest leather shoes aren't mere accessories but a means of survival, even if it entails eating them in the direst circumstances (add salt to taste).
With such a vivid image in mind, the challenge lay in capturing the essence of a “stiff upper lip” in the face of overwhelming disaster.
Once we had the art brief in our hands, the next step was to immerse ourselves in the world of our explorer. The explorer, trapped on an ice-locked ship, her clothes fashioned from furs, leather, and wool to combat the biting cold and the relentless icy wind – these were the elements we needed to distil from our references.
As artists, this phase was like embarking on our own expedition, navigating the sea of visual references and finding the key elements that would breathe life into our illustration!
With a clear image in mind, it was time to put pencil to paper and try to bring the image to life. The initial sketches were crucial, not just for depicting the explorer but also for framing her in a captivating composition.
Given that this illustration was centred on our protagonist, she took the spotlight, with the ship playing a supporting role. Several options were explored to present our explorer in the most compelling way.
Fortunately, our sketches received a warm reception (no pun intended). The feedback was primarily geared toward finalizing certain design choices and adding those all-important finishing touches, creating a richer narrative.
After creative back-and-forth and meticulous adjustments, the final image was ready to venture into the icy unknown – embodying the spirit of exploration, resilience, and the courage to face the mysteries at the edge of the world.
This illustration is not just a portrayal of an explorer; it’s a testament to the stories that inspired us and the passion that fuelled our creative process. It fits into the larger tapestry of our work, adding a new layer of narrative and depth to the ever-expanding world of The Silver Bayonet. Hopefully this image is not just a visual, but an invitation to share in the adventures that sparked its creation!
The Silver Bayonet: Canada is out a week today in the UK,
and will be out January 2024 in the US.
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