Commorus Rex - Grand Levitator

Hey everyone, here is the final version of Commorus Rex - Grand Levitator. Another piece for Gateway: The Book of Wizards.

Hope you like it!

Kento Vess - Birdmancer..... finished

This guy is done, and now you can also buy a limited edition print of him as well!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/168273117/limited-edition-print-of-kento-vess?

Kento Vess, the Birdmancer (or Ornitholomancer)

Some life-drawing stuff

Here are a few examples of some recent life-drawing I have been doing in my sketchbook. 2 Sketches of guys in costume from my trip to Montreal, a sketch of an old car at a British Car Show in Woodstock, NY, and a sketch of musicians at the Celtic Sessions Night at Elephant Tapas Bar in Kingston, NY.

Commorus Rex - Grand Levitator

My New Online Seminar - Helping Artists Become Better World Builders

Yesterday, I announced that I will be offering a 6-Week Online Seminar this Fall on the subject matter of World-Building for Artists (or anyone frankly, but the focus is on visual world-building and design).

The focus of the class is on developing great ideas that are unique to your personality and your individual creativity through the power of visual design. I believe I can help anyone who takes this course create new fantasy worlds that have never been seen before.

Check out the blog and let me know if you have any questions.

http://worldbuildingwithseanmurray.blogspot.com/

Precarious City sketch

Just playing with visualizing different parts of Gateway... here, architects and engineers tempt the fates in order to accommodate the extremely rugged terrain.

Lord Sebulus the "Head" Wizard

In an attempt to immortalize himself, Sebulus the Grandiose transferred his soul and his magical powers into a giant carven stone head. He didn't count on the fact that his former natural body was the very means by which to draw magical energy from the aether, and therefore turned himself into a waning battery of magical energy. His powers can and are only replenished now through payment, or generosity, and he is quickly running dry on both. His few remaining loyal servants are only loyal to the point of a better paying job coming along.

New Book of Wizards piece: "Bethan Chandary and Her Amazing Acrobatic Fish"

Bethan Chandary was the consummate performer, delivering a nightly street show full of spectacle and wonderment - and in a city such as Gateway where anything can happen around any street corner, and which has (or at least had) the highest population of Magic-users per capita, that's saying a  lot.

Quick Sketchbook Page!

Hey all, just a quick sketchbook page scan. I am going to start posting more of these going forward.

Ambassador Grexander Quann

Quann was a regular visitor to Gateway, and a welcome friend to many, but his visits required a good deal of preparation, planned routes, and a constant escort, to ensure his safety, and the safety of others.

Spectrum Live Preparation!

Hey everyone! So, I'm working hard to make sure I am prepared for Spectrum Fantastic Art Live next week!

I've got my banners, business cards, Gateway poster and postcards, the sketchbook, and a majority of the prints printed and ready to go. The only things left are to sign all the prints, put them in bags with backing board, and ship the boxes of the sketchbooks out to KC... but I still feel like I am going to forget something. 

I am so excited for SFAL... what a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rub elbows with some of my heroes of illustration! I am totally geeking out.... check out this list of exhibitors!  

Saturday Night is the Awards Ceremony where the Gold and Silver Spectrum winners will be announced, of which I am ONE! Whoa! My piece, "He's Gone Full Bird" was nominated for a Gold or Silver Award in the editorial category! Also, the piece "The Gravemaster" was chosen for inclusion in Spectrum 20 in the Unpublished category.

 

My booth is #314, behind Charles Vess (!!!!!!), so please come out and see me! It's going to be a hoot!

From Fishwizard Press - Sketchbook Collection Volume 01 available for purchase now!

Hello! At long last, the first book published as a result of my Kickstarter campaign from last May is printed and available for purchase on my Etsy Shop!

If you would like a copy, just follow THIS LINK, or click on the Etsy shop widget on the right! You will also find art prints available there as well.

Thanks for all your support!

-Sean

Also, be sure to sign up for updates from Fishwizard Press on the Fishwizard Press blog.... the "publisher" of all of my art books (it's basically just me.... haha).

A School of Fishwizards

I have heard the cries of the public: "MORE FISHWIZARDS!!!", and I have answered their clarion call. Behold:

Illiandar The Mage Tree

Illiandar is famous for being the final resting place of more wizards than any other in recorded history. Trees are a favorite spot for Wizards in their final hours since the trees absorb and often manifest their powers. Illiandar, named for the first wizard who died beneath its boughs, is very powerful and sought out for its power and wisdom.

Mr. Grimly and His Race Crew

Gonna keep the details minimal on this one, but let's just say: Wizards + Steam Engines + Racing

Hope you like it!

Details:

Updates: Sketchbook off to print and Spectrum Nomination!

OK, got a couple of things to update you guys on.

First: the SKETCHBOOK IS OFF TO PRINT!

In case you haven't been following my Kickstarter, one of the stretch goals was to print a collection of my sketchbook sketches in book form. Said book is now in the process of being printed and should be available in about a month, and will also be available at the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 2 convention (May 17 - 19 in Kansas City).

I will also find a way to make the book available for purchase by anyone who missed the Kickstarter and wants to have their own copy. Here is a peek at the cover of the book:

The other news is: I was nominated for a Gold or Silver Award for the editorial category in Spectrum 20! It is an amazing honor and is the first time I have been nominated (Though Spectrum only started publicly announcing nominations last year with the kick-off of the first Spectrum Live). I'm up against some very tough competition in my category, all the pieces are amazing. It's also an honor to be included amongst this list of artists I admire greatly. Thanks goes to all the judges (Tim Bruckner, Irene Gallo, Tim Kirk, Mark A. Nelson, and Michael Whelan) for their hard work this year!

Here is the video of the nominations, and below is the full list, and below that is the piece that was nominated, which was used in an article about Kickstarter projects in ImagineFX Magazine..

Here's the list of Nominations from Spectrum's website:

ADVERTISING 

• Craig Elliott: Forest Awakening
• Michael C. Hayes: Procession
• Android Jones: Ganeshatron
• Greg Ruth: Three Outlaw Samurai
• Dan Dos Santos: Dragon Empress

BOOK

• Brom: Wipi
• William O'Connor: Wargriffin
• David Palumbo: Fed
• Shaun Tan: Never Leave a Red Sock on the Clothesline
• Charles Vess: Tanglewood: I Didn't Know She Was a Bottle Witch

COMICS

• Jennifer L. Meyer: Aesop's Ark, Ch. 2, P2
• David Petersen: Mouse Guard Black Axe #4, Page 19
• Paolo Rivera: Daredevil #10
• Paolo Rivera: Captain America #1
• João Ruas: Fables #121

CONCEPT ART

• Daniel Dociu: Guild Wars 2, Norn Lodge
• Theo Prins: Southsun Cove
• Paul Sullivan: Franken-animal
• Justin Sweet: Marauders 2
• Allen Willams: Tree of Tales

DIMENSIONAL

• Dan Chudzinski: Turbulence
• David Meng: Sashimi
• Virginie Ropars: Mothra
• Virginie Ropars: Acanthopis III
• Katya Tal: Blanket Fairy

EDITORIAL

• Sam Bosma: Stability
• Chris Buzelli: Book Monster
• Sean Andrew Murray: He's Gone Full-Bird  (That's me!!)
  
• Victo Ngai: Best of the Best
• Sam Weber: Cancer Monster

INSTITUTIONAL

• Ed Binkley: A Cob of Chiseldon-Brimble
• Lucas Graciano: Dragon Swarm
• Tyler Jacobson: Ruric Thar, The Unbowed
• Kekai Kotaki: Stampede
• David Palumbo: Taken

UNPUBLISHED

• Cory Godbey: The Fish Master
• Lucas Graciano: Guardianship
• Kekai Kotaki: Ride
• Andrew Mar: Tell-Tale Heart
• Tohru Patrick Awa: Sudden Shower

Ramus of the Red Templars

New piece for the Book of Wizards depicting Ramus, the leader of the wizard gang called the "Red Templars". Hope you like it!

Also, I have set up a blog that will be the place to go for information about the books I am publishing. There isn't much there now, but you can sign up for e-mail updates so that you can find out when the various books are out and ready for purchase. Find that here: http://fishwizardpress.blogspot.com/

On that front, the Sketchbook (Sean Andrew Murray Sketchbook Collection Volume 01) is designed and ready for print, I am just waiting on the printer to let me know they have the files and everything is a go. I will send another update when that happens.

Thanks all!

Book of Wizards: Mistress Ocheka the Ash Summoner

Check out the latest Book of Wizards piece, Mistress Ocheka. Be sure to get the book when it comes out to find out what the heck is going on here!!!! :)

New Wizard: Oona - the Witchmasker

Here's a new piece I just finished for the Book of Wizards. I will tell you one tidbit about this guy: what you think is just a mask, is his ACTUAL HEAD!!!!! WHAT?!? His original head, which was removed ritualistically in order to become a more powerful Witchmasker, is hanging from his belt. Deal with it. :)

New Wizard! Crane - The Toymaker

Here is a new piece for the Book of Wizards! This one is of Victor Crane, a toymaker-turned-golem-master. hope you like it! Many more to come!