Unlike previous projects this one was very art-first. All the art was completed before a word was written. For the full 24 page zine there are 15 illustrations: 2 covers, 7 full page, the rest half page, with a full page map on order.

Looking back through my camera roll I can see the first illustration must have been started late last May. The photo reference is my sunburned thumb with a scab showing under a cracked nail. This was the basis for a photo composite together with my eye and two hands.

I’d print this out mostly transparent then sketch over it in ink and scan it back in. Then do digital colours and shading on top in GIMP. A process I first used on Deepest Valley (without photo ref), and feel gives great results without taking more than one good evening per page.

So one thing you can immediately tell, is that Hive of the Crawling Creeps is not just body horror themed, but it’s self-portraiture. It’s me as the artist exploring the horror of my own body. All the creep illustrations are from photoref of my own body parts. Yes those ones too.

[ An ambulant bundle of noses and eyes like a pimply pyramid. Inquisitive and always alert, they see all and smell all around them. They use their bristling nose hairs like long ropy tentacles to climb walls, carry heavy loads, and strangle their prey. ]

The real culmination of this is the Creepmother. She’s the big boss of the hive. The queen creep. That one is just literally a self portrait of my face, melded with my boobs, and own my big belly for that horrorful vibe. So it’s really quite a personal and exposing work.

I’m not really going to show the photo ref for that one! You’ll just have to buy Hive of the Crawling Creeps to see that one. Here’s a cropped version and an old selfie tho.

I’m so proud of this project. For me it’s a big new leap in skill from my Deepest Valley era. That leaves the last vital bit of art the project needs - a map! I’ve managed to convince an artist whose style I am crazy about Łukasz Kowalczuk to do it, and I’m itchfunding now to help fund that.

Please support this project and help it reach the level of deranged body horror juiciness it needs to reach. I’m obsessed with these kind of art-adventure projects and I want this to succeed so very much.

Hive of the Crawling Creeps is itchfunding now!