THE JERSEY DEVIL

Since this is October, and Halloween is fast approaching, I thought I'd post a monster image of THE JERSEY DEVIL I pencilled and inked a while back. I was hired by the guys who did the HISTORY CHANNEL tv show WEIRD U.S. to draw this illustration for a "WEIRD N.J." magazine special that focused on artists living in New Jersey. I lived in Jersey for 6 years, having left my native Virginia to attend the JOE KUBERT SCHOOL in Dover, NJ. Oddly enough, I was in the process of moving to North Carolina when I got this gig. Heh. This image was also used in the WEIRD NEW JERSEY. hardback book (which can be purchased from Barnes & Noble), and was actually used in an episode of WEIRD U.S. on the HISTORY CHANNEL!

I actually did research for this illustration, studying a few New Jersey newspaper accounts of alleged Jersey Devil attacks and sitings. It seems good ol' J.D. is most often seen with the following features:

-a horselike head with horns like an antelope.
-a kangaroo-like body
-a tail of a reptile (often barbed like the Devil's tail)
-webbed-clawed hands
-bat-like wings
-hoof-like feet.
-sharp, fanged teeth.

I did my best to illustrate a creature worthy of all that. Not as easy as you might think.

This was drawn on bristol board, and inked with a #3 Kolinsky Red Sable Raphael brush. I added in a map of the Pine Barren area of New Jersey as I thought that would add a little something extra to the piece.

Working with Mark and Mark from WEIRD U.S. (and WEIRD N.J.) has always been a pleasure. I also drew Maryland's GOAT MAN and EL CHUPACABRA for WEIRD MARYLAND, WEIRD FLORIDA and WEIRD TEXAS.

Loston