It's typical for me to do sketches while writing, a sort of mental doodling as I work out events and character arcs. These sketches are not intended to be the final word on what the characters look like! I just find I work better when I'm thinking with a pencil as well as a keyboard. I've selected a few of the sketches from when I did the initial drafts of Bloom, and hope you enjoy the peek into the artist brain.
1. The Jokka: A look at the three sexes and their general builds, for those who like to have firm mental images. These are "kudelith" Jokka (they stayed the same sex throughout their lives) so they display the strongest sexual characteristics.
2.Pathen's First Portrait: This was the first sketch I did of Pathen, back in 2004 when I was writing "Stone Moon, Silk Scarves."
3. Reluctant Embrace: And one of the first sketches I did of Hesa in Pathen's arms!
4. Pathen in the Leaf Gathering Outfit: Eight years later, another sketch of Pathen. You can see he's evolved a bit from my original conception, but not as much as one might expect. That's the Leaf Gathering outfit that's supposed to evoke the Claw uniform.
5. Pathen and Keshul : A rare sketch of a scene... because I couldn't resist this meeting of two powers! It was fun designing clothing knowing that Laisira's tailors were likely in charge of Pathen's wardrobe.
6. Hesa and Dekashin: Likewise, these two. Dekashin's on the right with the rikka... Hesa there is pretty much perfect, in terms of body shape. (And the bobbed hair, alas.)
7. The Leaf Gathering: While this piece is incredibly sketchy, I added it because I like seeing the principals of House Asara all together. From left to right: Kuli in her veil, Hesa in its gown, Darsi in its finery (modeled on Pathen's), and Pathen.
8. Minister Iren and Jushet: Another rare image of two secondary characters, Roika's ministers.
9. Loë: One of my few drawings of the Northern Jokka, in which I tried to capture some of the health differences in the anadi, along with the difference in costume and hair. On the right is a sketch of her hair from behind... and the critter was a random attempt at a northern forest animal.
10. Thenet After Its Transformation: I only ever did this one sketch of Thenet as anadi, because once I did it I felt like I had closed the book on images of it.