Dorilian
I’ve worked with L.L. Stephens a couple of times. She is the author of the Highborn Series of fantasy novels and an incredible talent. Above is one of the key characters in her other series of novels the Triempery series. This is Dorilian who L.L. Stephens blogged about recently! Find out more about the character and background here.
Can art help attract readers?
If you’re an author looking to draw readers into your world, supporting artwork can make a massive difference. A striking book cover is the first thing people see, and the right design instantly sets the mood, whether it’s epic fantasy, dark gothic horror, or whimsical adventure. Inside the book, character portraits, detailed maps, or chapter illustrations add an extra layer of immersion, helping readers visualise the world you’ve built. There’s something magical about seeing a hero’s face or a breathtaking landscape before diving into the story—it sparks curiosity and makes everything feel even more alive.
Beyond the pages, artwork is a powerful tool for marketing and engagement. Eye-catching illustrations for social media, banners for your website, or teaser images for upcoming releases help your book stand out in a crowded market. Concept art or animated visuals can build hype, while illustrated bonus content makes a great reward for loyal fans. In a world where visuals grab attention faster than text, having strong supporting artwork can help you connect with readers and bring them deeper into your world.
Nalf
I dug this out from L.L. Stephens’ Facebook, it gives us a bit of insight into the chaA little about the character of Nalf. I’ll eventually put something up on the website about him too once things are less busy. But I have these two artworks by Jamie Noble featuring the guy, so that means the author considers him either important or fun.
Nalf is a bit of both.
Readers meet Nalf in THE KHELD KING where he’s so minor a character he’s easily missed. He’s there, though, in small ways. He refers back to those appearances at different points in THE WALLED CITY. Most readers, though, will first take notice of Nalf in THE GOD SPEAR where he is introduced as an antagonist of sorts to Hans and then set in place as Aubrey’s uncle. Both roles become more major as the story develops.
By THE WALLED CITY, Nalf takes on more prominence. I tremendously enjoy writing him., especially his dialogue. He’s blunt. He’s pugnacious. He’s often misguided but he’s also not stupid; he likes to be on the winning side of any plot development, of which there are many. His very best scene of all comes early in THE RILL LORD but he has some excellent scenes in the earlier books.
Nalf will rub some people the wrong way. He might seem misogynist, but he really isn’t. He might seem like a bad guy too at times, but he really isn’t that either. He’s more like that relative who nobody in the family knows what to do with, but everyone is pretty sure will have their back in a pinch.
Plus he can wield an axe.”
Hi I’m Jamie!
I work on fantasy and sci-fi maps for various clients from authors to game publishers. I have had some great clients working on both established IPs and new settings. I’m always interested in hearing about more projects I might be needed on, so feel free to drop me an email to info@thenobleartist.com
If you’re looking for a fantasy artist, feel free to snoop through my illustration portfolio or head straight over to contact me for work. You’ll find my email address and some handy forms which guide you through some of the starting info I’ll need to be able to quote for you. Typically I’m booked up a month ahead of time, but do drop me a line if you have anything time sensitive. Sometimes I’m able to move things around in a pinch. Hope to hear from you! In the meantime, stay informed of my new work and availability and sign up for the mailing list.
