In an earlier post I mentioned my favorite author/illustrator’s influence on my illustrations. If you don’t know who Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson is, you can find her books and art online. (I’ve added a link here.)   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moomin/185958374788084
     Below are some bonfire scenes from two of my graphic novels, scenes I learned to draw by studying Tove Jansson’s illustrations.

These three scenes are from my book, Smoog, (1995). Smoog is the character to the left, and he remains one my favorite characters I’ve created. He is an eccentric dog from outer space who is the main character of at least four of my later books. I’ve been told that he (and other characters of mine) bears some resemblance to Tove Jansson’s characters, which, to me, is not surprising.

Below is a bonfire scene from my book Smoog and the Eye of the Trillagryyn (2005). The two characters are Philo and Mim Mim, both stranded on the planet Panderon. This is a scene in which they begin to get aquainted at a bonfire celebration (and later fall in love), moments before the Queen’s army attacks, scattering everyone present. Philo and Mim Mim escape by hiding in a cave.