A new graphic novel about the Knights Templar.
The project started off as a digital art style as pictured above. After trying out many style variations we decided on a traditional black and white ink style. The story is about a knight that gets lost during the crusades and instead of fighting in physical battles he has to fight a spiritual one. It is a 65 page graphic novel and is entirely hand crafted.
The Knights Templar
The Knights Templar were a prominent Christian military order established in the 12th century during the Crusades. Known for their dedication to protecting Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land, the Templars quickly grew in power and wealth. The order was officially recognized by the Catholic Church in 1129, and they became a formidable force in the fight against the Muslims in the Middle East.
The Knights Templar were organized into three ranks: the knights, the sergeants, and the chaplains. The knights were the highest-ranking members and were responsible for leading and fighting in battles. The sergeants were skilled soldiers who assisted the knights on the battlefield, while the chaplains provided spiritual guidance and support to the order. The Templars were also known for their strict code of conduct, which included vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience.
Despite their initial successes, the Knights Templar eventually fell out of favor with the Catholic Church and European monarchs. In 1307, King Philip IV of France orchestrated a series of arrests and trials against the Templar’s, accusing them of heresy and other crimes. The order was disbanded in 1312, and many of its members were imprisoned or executed. However, the legacy of the Knights Templar lives on in popular culture and historical research, with many myths and legends surrounding their mysterious disappearance and rumored hidden treasures.
I was looking back through some old ink works at the time and i thought the graphic novel would suit this detailed ink style. This small A5 ink drawing of Saint George and the Dragon started the process for Lost in The Desert. I created the initial story idea and Ben Ravelo expanded the story and provided storyboard thumbnails and art direction, it was great working with Ben and the project unfolded very naturally. It was my first time doing art for a graphic Novel and i learned a lot during the whole process.
This is another page test from Lost In The Desert. Although this style did not work for this graphic novel i might try it with a different book project. Currently i am working on some layouts for a science fiction book, a s
