Fables 1

Prelims:  8.5" x 11", graphite on SVA scrap/copy paper
Painting:  18" x 24", oil and ballpoint pen on MDF board

Here it is, the painting that started it all.  James' first work in comics, the cover to Fables 1 was the first of five consecutive cover paintings for the first Fables story arc.  Blending a number of different styles, this cover uses ballpoint pen (for the buildings) and oil paint to create a warm and fantastical feel appropriate for the title of the series.  Introducing Snow, Bigby, Boy Blue, Jack, and Bufkin, Fables 1 is also the first of five paintings to feature a glimpse of Colin the pig, as he continuously tries to escape the farm and get back to Fabletown. 

James was a bit nervous when it came to creating his first Fables cover, and so a number of different prelims were attempted before settling on the final cover image.