October is a fantastic month. And not just because of candy, dress up, and gorgeous colors. It is the month when Western society still lets some of its pagan history through. It’s also a month of creativity and filled with challenges like Inktober and the Month of Fear. I can almost hear illustrators’ pens scratching the paper as I write this.

This week, as part of Inktober, I did my take on a Halloween Tree inspired by Ray Bradbury’s novel. Originally just a sketch, I wanted to take it a bit further and finished it off with soft ink washes. It will be available as part of the Changeling Artist Collective October Auction this week.

“And it was the afternoon of Halloween.
And all the houses shut against a cool wind.
And the town was full of cold sunlight.
But suddenly, the day was gone.
Night came out from under each tree and spread.”

– Ray Bradbury, The Halloween Tree