Artwork: The Malediction Series Character Trading Cards

If you’ve been following me on social media, you probably already know about my most recent illustration project with an amazing author.

In this post, I am going to talk about that specific illustration project, and how awesome, exciting, and just plain amazing, the experience was. I’ll also show you individual photos of the illustrations I’ve done.

Danielle L. Jensen, the author of Malediction Trilogy, is releasing a prequel to the series entitled The Broken Ones. The Broken Ones will be the story of Marc and Pénélope, and it’s coming out in June 6th (YES, TODAY!).

I love Malediction Trilogy so so so very much! I shed bucket of tears with Warrior Witch, the final book of the trilogy, and I love Prince Tristan, and Cecile and all the other characters. This series is easily one of my most favorite YA high fantasy!

The Broken Ones Pre-Order Campaign

Prior to the release of The Broken Ones, Danielle setup a pre-order campaign. We all know how important pre-orders are. as they indicate how interested readers are, and it’s also a way to create pre-release hype.

I was contacted by Danielle about this project, and she asked me if I’d be interested to work with her in designing the character trading cards that will be part of the swags for the pre-order campaign. I may sound very calm by the way I narrated that, but DUDE, I FREAKED OUT. LIKE AKLHGJSDAFLKD!!!

Ya’ll! There’s no way I’d turn down such an amazing offer! And believe me, as I was typing my reply, I don’t know if I was excited, or nervous, or both, or more. I was about to work with an author… FOR THE FIRST TIME. If you won’t freak out on that, then I don’t know. It’s always been a dream of mine to work with an author someday. I just didn’t expect that it will happen this early in 2017. And to think that it’s with one of my favorite authors…

So fast forward…

Danielle and I started working with the illustrations. There were challenging times especially in getting the right feel and design of the characters, but we made it. I MADE IT, FAM! I finished illustrating nine characters (counting the twins separately) on time. I am a very moody illustrator, so there are times when I just don’t feel like making art (it’s hard to fight, trust me) even with deadlines. And I hate working while unmotivated because I know for sure, that my work will get affected. But this time, I made it on time, and I couldn’t be more proud of myself. Well, I almost missed the deadline… but I still made it. Haha!

The Reveal

Danielle contacted amazing bookstagrammers to help us reveal the illustrations. Check the slideshow below for the amazing photo reveals by the amazing bookstagrammers (erm, it just so happened that I illustrated the twins last, so I had to do the reveal. lol).

I also want to show you the actual watercolor artworks. I was able to take photos of the actual artworks before I shipped them to Danielle in Canada. I can’t believe my art reach the other side of the world!!!

So, yeah! Here are the actual watercolor works, and they’re photographed by yours truly as well.

I’ve already said my speech about this project on Instagram, and on my personal email with Danielle. This is just really an amazing experience, and I am extremely honored to get chosen by Danielle to do the illustrations. Before the reveal, I was really nervous and anxious about what will be the reaction of the fans to my illustrations. But my friends, both in person and virtually, were so supportive and they kept giving me assurance that I’m doing great. I am so thankful for that. It means a lot!

Now. now, before I cry… people are starting to receive their swag packs. And it makes me happy to see all the posts! You’re probably thinking that I should have posted this before the release date, yeah? But life keeps happening and I’m barely even able to write this one by the release date of The Broken Ones. But I just have to do it! Please continue supporting the Malediction series by Danielle L. Jensen and all her future books.

Get in touch with Danielle L. Jensen with the following links:

Website | Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

My reviews of Danielle’s books + another fan art

Stolen Songbird | Hidden Huntress | Warrior Witch
Tristan and Cécile de Montigny Fan Art

And… that’s it! I’ll also leave a group photo (lol) here!

 For art and book cover commission inquiries, please email me at [email protected] or go to my contact page.

Erika E.

Erika is a freelance content writer and illustrator from the Philippines. Aside from her love of arts and reading, she loves taking photos, coffee, cats, and fairies. She’s into fantasy, historical fiction, and contemporary, and anything young adult genres.