This was the first in a series of characters that I designed for a group of fantasy role players who had hired me to illustrate their characters.

I had designed "gamers" characters on occasion earlier in my career; the clients were mostly college students who were also members of gaming clubs and forums.

I would be contacted by the client(s) and would meet with them, and from there would receive a thorough, highly detailed description of the client's character which would include among other things; powers, age, gender, physical desription, sometimes even a short history would be included.

Gaming is something I never personally got into mainly due to intimidation and the fact that I just couldn't devote the time into learning, and then playing them. "Gamers" most often take their gaming (and especially their characters) quite seriously. In their minds the characters they portray in the game world are but an extension of true selves. I keep this in mind whenever I receive a commission involving role playing games.

I once had to redraw a character four times before I got it right, per the clients' detailed description.

This was one of the more simple illustrations I did. The client just wanted my interpretation of a "Hobbit,"the gentle, diminutive creatures of "middle earth". In my mind I remembered back to my childhood when I first saw the animated TV special of Tolkien's "the HOBBIT" which was done by Rankin/Bass. The images were ingrained in me so much that I incorporated some of characteristics into my drawing, notably an oversized head, large eyes, big nose, and of course the trademark- large, furry feet.

The details of this "Hobbit" character were described generally to me by the client as a thief and prankster, the "rubber chicken" was a personal addition requested by the client.