Working on some Taps Comic Strips

I've decided to work on a big Taps project.

Surprised? Probably not. She's my favorite after all. ;) 

In any regard, it's going to feature many of the HoC cast. But, I will say it'll take a bit before you see all of them. Especially since our cast has 60+!

I plan on doing anything during Taps' lifetime, which covers over 300 years!

I mostly want to focus on humor and/or adventure. Only the future can tell. I don't know how many I can get out during the week. I think it'll be whatever suits my fancy.

I know from the work I did on the first comic strip today, it took around 7-8 hrs! 

But, take into consideration, I had to think up & make the logo too. I worked from start to finish on the rough draft through the flat color. (Sorry, no shading! Maybe I'll worry about shading something big for the holidays.)

It's going to be done in my advancstik style, so I can save on time (believe it or not).

So, here's to a good day!

Update: I'll be working next week on the 4th draft of book 5.

After book 5, I will be taking a break from the HoC series and working on another unfinished project. But, I plan on working on the comic strips during it.

-T. Erickson

Taps' Mansion Garden Picture

I commissioned our cover artist (Mates Laurentiu) to work on this picture. I think he did a very good job, especially since we have 2 very different styles. But he was kind enough to work with my constant corrections and now you have a wonderful piece of art to look at.

Description:

Taps: Realm Keeper (RK), Royal bodyguard, Highest ranked Club of her time; Teresa Accolade Persimmons is one of a kind. She delights in pleasant company and beautiful gardens when she has time off. Here she can be seen speaking with General Zizzor.

(She would normally be wearing her mother's lacy gloves, but, due to my excitement, I didn't have the artist do it.)

General Zizzor (Gold and white hummingbird): Watch out for his battle prowess! 

(There's a lot more to know about this cute little fellow in the books.)

Smitten Rose (in the vase): A creation of Jeffery, Taps' butler. (See HOC Bk1 for the deeper reason)

Books: Taps is all about expanding her knowledge and deepening her understanding. *They actually are: the Holy Bible (brown), Book of Mormon (blue), Children's Song Book (small green), and the open book is...hmm...I'll have to think about that one.

Bench Decor: The moon and stars represent Taps' office. As a RK, she's one rank below royalty.

Mer-man statue: King Tempest, whom was courting Taps at one time...

(This isn't the pose his statue has in the books. But I liked what Mr. Laurentiu did, so it stayed.)

Ghosty Butterflies: There are several varieties in Taps' gardens. These blue butterflies are there to help one relax.

Roses: Taps loves roses, especially enchanted ones.

Tava Tree: This special tree is literally "out of this world" and was a gift. 

(If you've ever read my mother's COS prequels and specifically books 3-5, you should know ALL about the Tava tree.)

Garden (In general): Everything in Taps' garden does something magical, from the plants to the decor.

(Several of the BG trees should actually be fruit trees, but I didn't think about it before Mates had done a lot of work and since there were other parts of the picture that I felt more important, the correct trees weren't put on. Should've added a distraction creature too, and fairies...oh well, thoughts for next time.)

So there you have it. :) One beautiful picture and an idea about what a small part of Taps' garden looks like.

-T. Erickson