Two nice things about digital illustrations are that the artwork can be stored easily, and that it can also be reworked very easily. For someone who’s going through a decade-long “learning curve” (like — uh, ME!) this makes it possible to go back to concepts that were good, but not executed too well, and revise them into something that has some potential for bringing in money.

Hopefully this is one that will do the latter.

But even if the cash doesn’t flow, it was nice to be able to revive this “old friend” and once again share him proudly.

And “old friend” he is, that tempter who leads astray.

One doesn’t hear about “bad influences” often these days. I’m okay and you’re okay and it’s not politically correct to suggest there really are a few “bad eggs” out there.

Yet the warning should be shouted: There are people who’ll bring you to no good end if you listen to their suggestions.

I’ve had the misfortune to see this happen, time and again. And every time words of caution fall on deaf ears, and those being lead down the primrose path insist they won’t be hurt — right until that moment they are.

In theory we can learn from our mistakes. However mistakes with the poisons and hand grenades of life can be tough teachers. It is a far safer course to listen to those warnings offered by those who love you.

And to distance oneself from the Bad Influence.

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Duncan Long is a freelance book cover illustrator and concept artist. His book cover artwork has appeared on titles from HarperCollins, PS Publishing, Pocket Books, Solomon Press, Paladin Press, and many other publishers and self-publishing authors. See more of his work at: http://DuncanLong.com/art.html
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