Friday, November 11, 2011

The King of Space!

I've recently started work on my next picture book, 'The King of Space'. This has been a long time waiting in the wings...

(a quarter size dummy book that I took along to show Templar this summer)

In October 2004, I entered CGtalk's 'Grand Space Opera' challenge, and came up with the idea of a little kid, who wanted to take over the whole universe and become 'King of Space'. I loved the idea of a small and grumpy boy, wrapping a sheet around himself, making a crown, and wreaking havoc whilst becoming master of the known universe. I did a series of sketches, but never finished the challenge due to moving jobs and trying to renovate a house in time for an impending baby.

But I kept on with doodles of the boy, Rex, and wrote a few short strips, that never actually got drawn. I did use 'The King of SPace' for some Q&A answers (issue 12) in Imagine FX magazine, and a poster workshop (issue 18) too.

In 2007, I visited Templar Publishing with my lovely new agents, Arena Illustration, and amongst other ideas, I took a bunch of drawings for 'The King of Space'. Having originally envisaged the whole thing as a comic strip, I wasn't sure it would work as a picture book, but Templar's Art Director, Mike Jolley, really liked the concept. But first, Templar were really keen on me developing a portfolio piece I'd done called 'Ye Pirate Muncher', and that became my first published book in September 2009.

I was back at Templar in 2010 to talk about a second book, and took along some (very rough) roughs for a 'King of Space' picture book. But 'The Pirate Cruncher' had sold quite well, and Templar were keen for me to write another pirate book, so I wrote a story called 'The Jolley-Rogers', that later became 'The Pirates Next Door'.

But this summer, for my third book, I've been working on ideas for 'The King of Space' and that's what will be coming next, in autumn 2012!

I started a blog in early 2007 which was originally going to feature strips and drawings and general musings, but I'm going to resurrect it to show the picture book process from start to finish (whilst still trying to keep much of the story secret). Click here, or on the 'King of Space' link on the right in my links menu. there'll be some new (and old) stuff there over the weekend!

I also used 'The King of Space' for a concept tutorial for Computer Arts magazine in early 2009. Here's the finished art for that...

9 comments:

Leighton Johns said...

This is great news! I remember the character from the ImagineFX poster tutorial, and thought then it would be a great idea for a book. Looking forward to seeing what totalitarian high jinx he gets up to.

jonny duddle said...

Thanks Leighton! The only problem with developing a concept that's been floating around for seven years, is limiting the ideas to something that will fit coherently in a picture book!

Badger said...

I love his electric whisk jonny, that's inspired!

Are you typing replies with your left hand?

Peter Underhill said...

It's good to see King of Space being developed. I remember seeing him on duddlebug a lot of years ago. Good luck with the project.

Ben Clanton said...

I can't wait for autumn 2012! Awesome idea and looks really fun.

Jon Lankry said...

can't wait to see more about this :)

chanee said...

A new type of investment That is ready to make money continuously With the best casino services.
บาคาร่าออนไลน์ มือถือ
หวยออนไลน์ จ่ายเยอะ
สูตรสล็อตออนไลน์

coralgrace738♡ said...

Searching for a great site. I was so impressed to yours. This will probably give me ideas for my work. Thank you
토토사이트
경마
온라인경마

coralgrace738♡ said...

You were great and everyone received so much from your experience and knowledge
Absolutely amazing, thank you for sharing your knowledge with me.
majortotositep1
racesiteinfo1
oncasinositein1
totopickpro1