EL VENADO

Here's the next artwork in my Loteria series -- "El Venado" (The Deer)!

My concept for this one was inspired by the novels of my friend, author Leigh Bardugo, and namely Shadow and Bone, the first in her New York Times-bestselling Grisha Trilogy, followed by Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising.

I had a pretty strong idea of where I wanted to go on this one, even at the sketch stage.

Leigh encouraged me, backing me all the way. Without her, the art would look very different.

This work is definitely a love letter to her Grisha Trilogy. There are homages throughout the middle ground and background. Some of them are overt. Some are subtle. See if you can find them all. :)

However, even while paying tribute to these books, the key challenge was to create an iconic Loteria illustration that could stand on its own for those that haven't yet read them.

I'll be doing a Grande Loteria card of this one in the near future. If you're on the Lone Boy List, you'll know first. If you're not on the List, now's a good time to get onboard! Just send an email to

info (at) lone-boy (dot) com

We'll add you!

Happy Holidays, all.