Behold! Scaredy-dog in pink earmuffs

Cowardly dog, creepy castles, pink earmuffs and booties, girls in in a cape and beret. Exactly the kind a 45-year-old man should be painting. Welcome to the world of Wilma Tenderfoot. Wilma (it says here) dreams of one day becoming assistant to the world-famous (and very serious) detective, Theodore P Goodman. But the last thing Mr Goodman wants is a small and slightly accident-prone sidekick -- especially one with an over friendly beagle called Pickle who keeps eating all the clues.

This is the third of three covers I've just finished for a brand-new Macmillan series by Emma Kennedy. Emma (according to her own blurb) is a writer/actress for radio and television. The first book was originally issued with a cover by a rather brilliant French artist called Marc Sylvain. But for some reason Macmillan have changed their mind and are going with yours truly. Marc is still doing the insides, which are lovely. Don't know when they're out, but will let you know.

The artworks were started with a pencil rough, followed by lots and lots and lots of angry scraping and cursing in Photoshop and Painter. Especially the first one.

John Kelly

Follow us on Facebook