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Michael Whelan
@michaelwhelan.bsky.social
Fine artist of Imaginative Realism. Illustrator of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Winner of 15 Hugo Awards. Inducted into the SF Hall of Fame in 2009.
6.5k followers100 following1.6k posts
MWmichaelwhelan.bsky.social

The middle of the sun disk in the center of the woman's mask is a slightly altered biohazard/mutagen symbol, an important reference to the plot. 5/7

Detail of mask and headdress. Set against a blue stained glass pattern is a stylized sun with straight and wavy rays. At its center is a biohazard/mutagen symbol slightly altered to give it a more regal flare. Diverse face are set at the top edge of the headdress staring at the central symbol. Below the sun sits a sunflower with a 3 swirl pattern at its center. From both sides of the sunflower, rafts of sea lions swim outward. A pattern of circuitry and graphs decorates the back edge in olive-bronze.
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MWmichaelwhelan.bsky.social

Whatever the specific elements of the composition, I was very concerned that the color scheme have a dark, yet golden and summery quality to it. The little sketches represent my initial attempts at finding the right combination of colors to fit the mood I wanted. 6/7

7 thumbnails sketches sample different yellow green color combinations. In the columns between, illegible artist notes are scribbled.
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MW
Michael Whelan
@michaelwhelan.bsky.social
Fine artist of Imaginative Realism. Illustrator of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Winner of 15 Hugo Awards. Inducted into the SF Hall of Fame in 2009.
6.5k followers100 following1.6k posts