A Distant Soil Blog Posts |

Great Big A DISTANT SOIL Update

Colleen Doran — Mon, 06 May 2024 14:52:13 +0000

It’s been awhile since I update anything on this page, not because I’ve abandoned the project, but because I often update elsewhere. Most of you are wondering when I’m going to get back to A Distant Soil. Naturally, I thought I’d have it finished by now, but I’d have been stupid not to accept a series of important projects that have been successful and fulfilling on every level, and are helping me to finance the year it is going to take to bring the book home. Currently, I am working on the graphic novel adaptation of Good Omens, the bestselling novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It ended up being the largest comic crowdfunder in Kickstarter history, but is taking a bit longer than I hoped, in part due to my recovery from cancer treatment. You can read about it here. You can also order it in advance HERE. I’m incredibly grateful to be working with the Terry Pratchett estate and Neil on this incredible project, and their support is a heavenly thing indeed. In addition to Good Omens, I’ve worked on several very successful projects with Neil which have enjoyed multiple printings, and some nice awards. I’ve also worked on published prose projects, illustrations, and have been incredibly privileged to have my work in several museum exhibits around the country and the world, including solo exhibits at the Society of Illustrators, The Comic Art Museum, and the San Diego Comic Con Museum. In 2024, I’ll be at Charlotte Heroes Con in June, Galaxy Comic Con in Raliegh in July, DragonCon, and New York Comic Con. While cancer treatment ate up a lot of the funds I was setting aside to work on A Distant Soil, I should have the resources to carve out the time I need to work on it when Good Omens is complete at the end of the summer. I will also finalize a large slate of private commissions that have been hanging fire. The first thing I am going to do when Good Omens is complete is finally learn how to add tones to my line art using a computer art program. Until now I’ve always done it by hand, but it’s no longer practical to do so because the sheets are not only getting harder to come by, and the ones I do have are so old the adhesive has no tack. Here’s a sneak peek. You can find me at my Patreon and at my Substack. As always, thanks for your interest.

The post Great Big A DISTANT SOIL Update first appeared on .

Guardian Live Online with Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran

Colleen Doran — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 18:58:28 +0000

From the Guardian UK Website: “Award-winning writer and illustrator duo Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran will introduce their new graphic novel, Chivalry. Chivalry is an adaptation of a short story by Neil Gaiman, in which an elderly widow, Mrs Whitaker, unknowingly buys the Holy Grail in a charity shop – an event that launches her into an epic world of adventure with a handsome young knight who goes by the name of Galaad. In a collaboration that brings to life illustrative styles from the Golden Age, and taking influence from the Illuminated Manuscripts, Chivalry is a charming and witty tale about taking risks, and finding friendship in unlikely places.” Gaiman and Doran have worked together previously on American Gods, The Sandman, Lucifer and the Eisner-winning Snow, Glass, Apples. They will talk to Claire Armitstead about their new work, the art of the graphic novel, and their many collaborations. They will also be answering your questions in this livestreamed event. Running time: 60 minutes This event will be hosted on a third-party live streaming platform. You will receive a link to join the event in the week prior to the event. Yes, you do not need to be in the UK and foreign currencies are accepted. You may also purchase tickets and watch later if you cannot attend the event live. FAQS here. The Financial Times has this advance review of Chivalry. The article also includes previews of the art. “…stunning artwork…Doran’s illustrations, drawing from a soft palette of blues, pinks and greens that flare into sudden glorious bursts of dazzling crimson and gold at need, are what will make Chivalry a perennial Christmas gift.” Chivalry will be in stores in March. Published by Dark Horse Comics. While preorders and print run are high, expect demand to also be very high. WE have had 5 reprints of Snow, Glass, Apples already, so please don’t wait to preorder your copy of Chivalry because due to demand and supply chain issues, reprints will be delayed. Ask for it at all booksellers, comic shops, or order from online retailers.

The post Guardian Live Online with Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran first appeared on .

Protected: A Distant Soil Volume 4 Last Chance Hardcovers

Colleen Doran — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 17:18:41 +0000

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

The post Protected: A Distant Soil Volume 4 Last Chance Hardcovers first appeared on .

Protected: Patreon Exclusive: Kovar

Colleen Doran — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 23:50:20 +0000

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

The post Protected: Patreon Exclusive: Kovar first appeared on .

Protected: Patreon Exclusive: Seren and D’mer sketch

Colleen Doran — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 06:08:37 +0000

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

The post Protected: Patreon Exclusive: Seren and D’mer sketch first appeared on .

Another great D’mer tattoo from Deven Stephens

Colleen Doran — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 17:30:53 +0000

Gorgeous! I am going to try to put up a section on the main page for fan art and fan photos again, and I’ll let you know when I do.

The post Another great D’mer tattoo from Deven Stephens first appeared on .

Fan Art: Deven Stephens Gets a D’mer Tattoo

Colleen Doran — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:05:25 +0000

Long time patron Deven Stephens sent me this great photo of his new tattoo from a sketch I made of D’mer in one of his hardcover limited editions. Deven says he also got D’mer’s ritual scars tattood on his arms and chest. I’m amazed and deeply flattered that people enjoy A DISTANT SOIL so much that they make it an important and intimate part of their lives! Thank you!

The post Fan Art: Deven Stephens Gets a D’mer Tattoo first appeared on .

A Distant Soil Fan Art: Amazing Niniri Doll and Set!

Colleen Doran — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:04:20 +0000

Allen, aka IXIDragonLordIXI has made a wonderful Niniri doll complete with elaborate Ovanan set! This is amazing! LOVE it!!! Looks at those earrings and that hairpiece! Those are real crystals! And Allen made the entire doll head and body himself. Here she is at her console, planning galactic domination in the sweetest way possible. And doing it all with fabulous hair! A girl likes to be well dressed, and this lovely cape is just the perfect accompaniment to the genteel megalomaniac’s wardrobe. Vogueing it, while poised to push the red button! Detail of the back of Niniri’s cape. Just love this, what an outstanding job, Allen! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! And what timing, considering the scene now running on the website! c

The post A Distant Soil Fan Art: Amazing Niniri Doll and Set! first appeared on .

A Distant Soil Cosplay

Colleen Doran — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:01:52 +0000

For the life of me, I cannot find this nice young lady’s name, but here she is in a gorgeous Liana costume posing next to me ma! If you have any cosplay photos you’d like us to post here, please use the contact button to let me know and I will give you instructions for sending pics. When we have enough pics, we will set up a gallery. So much fun to see these! Thanks so much! Great work on this dress!

The post A Distant Soil Cosplay first appeared on .

Ovanon on Earth

Colleen Doran — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:28:16 +0000

DarkGlobe, a regular poster at the long gone A Distant Soil Message Board posted this incredible link. In the year 2000, an enormous crystal cave was discovered in Mexico, with huge pillars 20 feet high, extraordinary walls of shimmering rock, and the largest formations found on Earth. It looks exactly how I envisioned the crystal caves on Ovanon. I didn’t realize crystals could get that big on this planet. Apparently, the subterranean formations grew in a high temperature, water laden environment, so steamy one poor explorer was baked alive. Ew. It does sort of tie in with my idea that Ovanon was originally a hot planet, but I don’t know how big crystals like this would survive after the world cooled. Click the link to see the pics. They really are the most amazing cave photos. Over at SpaceWeather.com, check out these gorgeous pics of light columns. I have never seen such a thing, have you? That really must go into A Distant Soil at some point. It looks exactly like the sort of thing one ought to see in the skies of Ovanon. Originally posted on the old blog.

The post Ovanon on Earth first appeared on .