The New Essential Guide to Alien Species

What's the big robotic beetle harvester thing in the Neimoidia art Chris?

 

Aren't they the beetles Obi Wan, Anakin, and their clones used to sneak in Gunray's citadel in LOE?

 

There's the beetles, then there's a robotic one also.

 

can you tell us some more about the Dargul? Who is it attacking? What planet is that?

 

Sauron - I think you answered your own question. They're harvester droids working the fields. I just made them up. I figured the machinery might look like the native creatures.
I never read LOE.

The Kargul was a creature that was disturbed by deforestation by the logging companies. It's lashing out at them.
Edit - Here's the exact text from the assignment:

Title: KARGUL
Kargul are 80-meter worms with a glossy black membrane. They are nocturnal and retreat into a hallow oak or underground during the day. Kargul are generally shy, but they can be terrible opponents when aroused. The most common source of this agitation is timber cutting or the movement of heavy vehicles. The kargul has a powerful and deadly bite, but is incapable of devouring anything but wood pulp.

 

Chris, the artwork in this book is phenomenal. I especially loved how you took some new slants on a few of the more modern, prequel-era species. The Togruta and the Falleen were particularly intriguing.

Concerning the Neimoidian: I had assumed that the plantation owner seen in the "Unseen Planets of Episode I" article was Nute Gunray. The resemblance is uncanny. Any chance that the two may be related?

 

I think they just have similar taste in hats.

BTW - I found the name of those animals the approaching Ansionians are riding. They are Sadains. I had a couple pages of notes in my sketchbook. They have 4 legs, stocky build, 4 eyes, round faces with long high ears that flare widely at the top. I think that's all the description the book had.

 

Ah, self plugging is a bag of fun.
I love the last painting by the way, they look somewhat like fairytale creatures. Yes my version of the mumuu is a carnivorous unicorn.

 

Hi Chris! Thought I would pop in and say hi and commend you on the lovely art in the new essential guide. I've got a few favorites myself, first and formost the kaleesh ( and yes, I am one of those rabid fan-artist digitigrade foot lovers! )

Other species that I thought were beautifully represented were the cheven (who wouldn't love a giant prehistoric elephant head as an alien?) Until now, I have not seen a very good representation of one of these guys. The caamasi is very cool, as is the rodian, which has one of the most expressive faces I've seen in this species.The nelvaanian and bothan look reeeeal nice.

Back to the kaleesh, thank you, thank you, for the reptilian eyes. I don't know who's decision it was, but it was a good one. The kaleesh looks wonderful with his crocodile- eyed stare, and I'm with biddybot on that call. I love Warren Fu's art, but I could never get into the white eyeballs. I'm sure Grievous just had his eyes shut during that whole story. I'm assuming your Kaleesh is a male? When I saw the earlier sketches I had assumed for some reason it was a she. I am glad they stayed masked too. It's sort of like the tusken raiders, it would be a major bummer to see what's under the wraps. Of course I am biased, and like mine and my friends kaleesh faces!

Thanks, great work!

 

thanks for looking that up, Chris! now that pic can illustrate that animal in the Wookieepedia!

Also, what is a hallow oak? Were karguls given a specific homeworld, or was that deliberately left anonymous?

 

Hey, just finally got the book and must say it's truly wonderful.

Chris Trevas, congratulations on a great job. These drawings are beautiful and they make me want to make RPG characters using some species I never considered (it's funny how an alien you always thought was dumb can suddenly become cool is someone draws it properly). My only true diappointment must be the Kaminoan, when I saw I had to go "what the...?". What happened there? Was it left for the last minute? Were you burn out from work? What? It's not only drawn with very little of the detail and care seen in other pics, but it's also just a direct copy of Tawn We's "official picture", exact same pose and all. Kaminoans look so cool, it would have been wonderful to see a more inspired take on them... I only mention this because it stands out amidst the rest of the great book.

 

Gry,

Glad you like the book!
The Kaminoan is not mine, she was painted by William O'Connor.
I can't say what happened, but I agree his other work was much better.

 

Your work in The New Essential Guide to Alien Species was amazing! I especially liked the "disco Rodian". I thought it was cool that you made yourself as the Human. Also you're work for Star Wars Insider is always looked forward to. I can't wait to see more of your stuff!
NGJ

 

Chris did you draw the Gossam and Koorivar, are they meant to be anyone particular?

 

Ha! The human is based on Chris himself? I would guess it would be very tempting as an artist to designate yourself the representative of the entire human race.

 

Having just seen the alien artwork, I want to say they were excellent. Especially the Yevetha and something else that's slipped my mind, waiting to be remembered if I can be bothered.