My submission for the 2024 Folio Book Illustration Award was inspired by Neil Gaiman's captivating short story, The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains. I aimed to capture the enchanting essence of the tale's fairytale-like beginnings before its tone takes a darker turn.
The illustration focuses on the early stages of the protagonists' journey, as they embark on their adventure and encounter various characters along the way. Rendered in a style reminiscent of handcrafted paper cut-outs, the artwork aims to evoke a light-hearted and whimsical atmosphere - aligning with the fable-like quality of the narrative's initial chapters.