I have to admit, I’ve been a bit intimidated by reader expectations when it comes to sketching Tayend and Dannyl. My worry wasn’t that they wouldn’t look like what reader’s pictured – I’m not psychic! – but that they’d look so different that readers would be bothered by it. One of the reasons I’m doing ink line drawings is to keep details fairly vague so there’s still some opportunity for the viewer’s imagination to come into play. (The other is speed – I don’t have time to paint the full colour figures I’d love to do.) I’ve also found that drawing characters is like writing them, in that they sometimes turn out a little different to what you intended.
I know fan art out there has influenced me when it comes to Tayend’s appearance. Though I reread the Black Magician Trilogy, prequel and sequel last year, I don’t recall any detailed description, just that he was good looking and wore the fancy garb of an Elyne courtier. He’s shorter than Dannyl, but that goes without saying – Dannyl is tall. I took inspiration from traditional Indian costume for his clothing, and the hair of the friend who posed for the reference shot.
I think this pressure got to me, as I completely messed up Dannyl’s nose and mouth and had to draw them twice, and I now suspect his head is a bit big! And I have to remind myself: I never said this would be easy.
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As a self-confessed Dan/Tay fanatic, I was most looking forward to seeing your sketches of them. And I have to say, I think this month’s calender is my favourite so far. Although there are several D/T fanart pics that are closer to how I picture them than your sketches, its great to see your version of the characters
I thought it was interesting that your Tayend (as far as I can see) doesn’t have long hair, because that seems to be a staple of most Tayend fanart and fanfics. I do recall it mentioned in The Novice that Tay had his hair tied back at one point (making it sound like it’s at least shoulder length), so that’s probably where everyone is coming from on that.
I actually thought you gave less description of Dannyl’s appearance than Tayend’s in the books. I’ve heard more than a few fans saying they imagined Dannyl with blond hair (same goes for Cery and Lorlen!), and I personally imagined him to look a bit like David Tennant for some reason. The only thing everyone seems clear on is the tall part
It looks to me like he has longish hair in your sketch – that’s probably the biggest surprise for me.
I should take this chance to ask you something which most D/T fanfic writers and readers alike seem to assume – is Tayend younger than Dannyl? And by any chance will you ever consider sketching Mayrie? (I’m guessing not, but I thought I’d ask because for such a small character, she’s fairly popular).
Can’t wait to see more calender pics
Thanks! The ‘blonding’ of characters has always been amusing to me. Not that I mind! It’s always interesting to see how people interpret the characters and worlds. Kyralians are mainly a dark-haired race, though I made a deliberate exception with Fergun to thumb my nose at the blonde-must-be-good stereotype.
I have to admit it took me a moment to remember who Mayrie was, then I was intrigued to know she’s so popular for, as you said, a minor character. There aren’t enough months to put every character in of course, though by putting in most of the main/popular ones I’ll certainly end up drawing a lot of magicians by the end of the year!
I think your art is wonderful, even though I basically imagined every character you have drawn so far in a different way. Which may be because I’m from the other end of the world and much younger and therefore I’ll picture them as something I’m more used to, but I don’t mind that at all.
It is like your Tayend and Dannyl are other characters than those I have in my head and that makes ‘my’ Tayend and Dannyl very personal, somehow. I think everybody who reads a book changes little things in their heads and make the stories ‘their’ stories, more personal stories and it’s the same with the looks.
I must say that your version of Dannyl reminds me of Irish actor Liam Neeson (which is not bad I think, haha), who is also very tall and has a ‘big’ head, haha.
I am most intrigued by the looks of the Sachakans, to be quite honest. I have a picture of them in my head, but it is very blurry and I could not describe it, if my life depended upon it! So I’m really interested what they’re ‘supposed’ to look like and maybe help me get a clearer picture in my head. I’m hoping for a Sachakan character next!!
Nice again to see how you imagined your characters! I’m looking foward to see your version of Akkarin!
I am also looking veeeery forward to see your version of Akkarin. Because today, I lay in the garden and desperately tried to imagine in detail, with his different facial expressions aso., but more or less, I failed :/ So I’d love a tiny hint to incite my imagination to blooom
Normally, I don’t make too much of an effort in those kind of things, but BMT honestly are the only books where my imagination blossoms and eventually goes wild
Furthermore, it was the scene in the Novice book – Regin torturing Sonea inside the university with magic, even after her shield breaks – making me cry. Nothing else managed this so far, which is why I’m deeply impressed 
Hi Trudi, I’m a big fan of you and of your black magician trilogy. I just finished reading it, and because of my excitement, I over-read at night then slept late. I love Dannyl and Tayend, and your illustration as well. I look up to them being very mature and clever. As from the previews suggestions, I , too, would be looking forward to see your illustration of Akkarin. I imagine him serious, and might look older for his age. But I will respect how you would draw him in any way. Since I just found out about your website. I might be up to a lengthy reading. Though I’m having fun of the recent posts and blogs. Keep it up!!!
I found the first 2.books of BMT in the used books @ the bookstore & was favorably impressed . Grabbed third volume & hated it to end. Must get prequel & sequels.
You’ve done an incredible job & I just want more.
Wow! I always imagined dannyl with a beard, and tayend to be pretty scrawny.He puts me in the mind of a young helpless confused boy.