Tuesday, December 17, 2013

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Around this time last year, I was approached by The Easton Press to illustrate an edition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes mystery The Hound of the Baskervilles. I jumped at the chance. I had always wanted to illustrate a novel with book plate interiors since my days in art school. It was also an opportunity to try something outside of my high-fantasy comfort zone. To be chosen to take on such a literary classic with one of the most famous characters in literature was a tremendous honor for me.


The book is available in deluxe limited edition of 1200 copies, each one signed by yours truly. The edition feature 10 full color book plates, as well as chapter head vignette drawings. It's available here at The Easton Press website. Below is a little sampling of my work featured in this edition.

The Hound of the Baskervilles
oil on board, 16" x 24"

"Fire burst from its open mouth, its eyes glowed with a smoldering glare, its muzzle and hackles and dewlap were outlined with a flickering flame. Never in the delirious dream of a disordered brain could anything more savage, more appalling, more hellish, be conceived than that dark form and savage face."  


The Curse of the Baskervilles
oils on paper mounted to board, 12" x 18" 

"I assure you there is a reign of terror in the district, and that is a hardy man who will cross the moor at night"


The Man on the Tor
oils on paper mounted to board, 12" x 18" 

"He might have been the very spirit of that terrible place."

Sherlock Holmes-A Concentrated Atmosphere
oil on board, 16" x 24"

"It is a singular thing, but I find a concentrated atmosphere helps concentration of thought."

4 comments:

  1. Congrats man , you did a stellar job with the material!
    Can't wait to pick one up!

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  2. Just saw this book in person and it's absolutely GORGEOUS. You did an amazing job, Matt. I'm a big Sherlock Holmes fan and you really did justice to one of the best SH stories. I wish it wasn't so expensive, but I can certainly see why after seeing the quality of it in person. From the case to the binding, cover, paper, typography, pencil drawings and illustrations it is truly a beautiful book.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks Kristen, Dan, and Raoul!
    @Kristen, that means a lot coming from a real Sherlock fan.

    ReplyDelete
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