#rolanddeschain — Public Fediverse posts

LEGENDS: THE GUNSLINGER (1998/2000)
Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 36" x 24"

Stephen King doesn't describe the Dark Tower in the early books of the series, but many of the main characters experience dream visions of the object of their quest. 1/3

#fantasy #illustration #stephenking #gunslinger #darktower #rolanddeschain #torbooks

THE DARK TOWER: KA-TET (2003)
Oil on Panel - 28” x 18”

Throughout the Dark Tower series, Stephen King portrayed Roland's group of fighters, known as the Ka-Tet, as a circle. 1/2

#darktower #horror #illustration #stephenking #rolanddeschain #jakechambers #eddiedean #susannahdean #donaldmgrant

THE WAY STATION (1982)
Acrylic on Illustration Board - 20” x 30”

It should come as a surprise to no one that I just love painting textures. 1/3

#horror #illustration #darktower #stephenking #rolanddeschain #jakechambers #gunslinger

THE DARK TOWER (2004)
Acrylic on Panel - 30” x 40”

After illustrating THE GUNSLINGER back in 1981, it seemed only natural that I return to close this epic series that spanned three decades. 1/3

#fantasy #illustration #stephenking #darktower #rolanddeschain #donaldmgrant

THE GUNSLINGER ON THE BEACH (1982)
Acrylic on Board - 28" x 18"

The winter months of 1980-81 were tough. My wife and I became parents with the arrival of our daughter in November, and I needn't tell anyone who has children what that means in terms of lifestyle changes...like lack of sleep. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

IT WRITHED IN THE EMBERS (2025)
Acrylic on Canvas - 7” x 10”

This began with leftover paint smooshed with a palette knife onto canvas that I was mixing colors on. The orange and black immediately suggested a campfire.

When I stumbled on the scrap a year later, I thought of The Dark Tower, so I rescued the canvas and sketched in Roland with paint that I had on hand. 1/2

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/2025-leftover-4/

#horror #stephenking #thedarktower #rolanddeschain #mordred

THE DARK TOWER: THE LONG ROAD (2009)
Acrylic - 30 1/2" x 22"

I've revisited the Dark Tower many times in my career and with each trip to Mid-World I find myself a little farther down the road in my own journey. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #rolanddeschain

THE DARK TOWER: THE LONG ROAD (2009)
Acrylic - 30 1/2" x 22"

I've revisited the Dark Tower many times in my career and with each trip to Mid-World I find myself a little farther down the road in my own journey. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #rolanddeschain

LEGENDS: THE GUNSLINGER (1998/2000)
Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 36" x 24"

Stephen King doesn't describe the tower in the early books of the Dark Tower series, but many of the main characters experience dream visions of the object of their quest. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

LEGENDS: THE GUNSLINGER (1998/2000)
Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 36" x 24"

Stephen King doesn't describe the tower in the early books of the Dark Tower series, but many of the main characters experience dream visions of the object of their quest. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

THE GATE OF ELURIA (2014)

This was originally created for a title page in THE LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA. I left the area under the gate blank for the title lettering, and later it seemed the perfect entry point for Roland. 1/2

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/dark-tower-gate-eluria/

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE GATE OF ELURIA (2014)

This was originally created for a title page in THE LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA. I left the area under the gate blank for the title lettering, and later it seemed the perfect entry point for Roland. 1/2

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/dark-tower-gate-eluria/

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE GUNSLINGER: OUTSIDE ELURIA (2005 / 2019)
Acrylic - 20" x 30"

Every time I think I'm 'done' with the universe of the Dark Tower I get called back again...and I go, eager to see if I can hit closer to the mark this time. 1/2

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #gunslinger #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE GUNSLINGER: OUTSIDE ELURIA (2005 / 2019)
Acrylic - 20" x 30"

Every time I think I'm 'done' with the universe of the Dark Tower I get called back again...and I go, eager to see if I can hit closer to the mark this time. 1/2

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #gunslinger #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE DARK TOWER: KA-TET (2003)
Oil on Panel - 28" x 18"

Throughout the Dark Tower series, Stephen King portrayed Roland's group of fighters known as the Ka-Tet as a circle. 1/2

#horror #horrorart #fantasy #sciencefiction #sff #illustration #darktower #stephenking #rolanddeschain #eddiedean #susannahdean #jakechambers #oy #billybumbler

THE DARK TOWER: KA-TET (2003)
Oil on Panel - 28" x 18"

Throughout the Dark Tower series, Stephen King portrayed Roland's group of fighters known as the Ka-Tet as a circle. 1/2

#horror #horrorart #fantasy #sciencefiction #sff #illustration #darktower #stephenking #rolanddeschain #eddiedean #susannahdean #jakechambers #oy #billybumbler

THE GUNSLINGER: MOHAINE (2005)
Oil on Canvas - 25" x 40"

Interior illustration for THE LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA by Stephen King

“The desert was the apotheosis of all deserts, huge, standing to the sky for what looked like eternity in all directions.
1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE GUNSLINGER: MOHAINE (2005)
Oil on Canvas - 25" x 40"

Interior illustration for THE LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA by Stephen King

“The desert was the apotheosis of all deserts, huge, standing to the sky for what looked like eternity in all directions.
1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE DARK TOWER: ROLAND X (1998/2010)
Oil on Panel - 18" x 14"

There’s a complicated history behind this image. It was first painted in acrylics to accompany the novella THE DARK TOWER: THE LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA by Stephen King. 1/4

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

THE DARK TOWER: ROLAND X (1998/2010)
Oil on Panel - 18" x 14"

There’s a complicated history behind this image. It was first painted in acrylics to accompany the novella THE DARK TOWER: THE LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA by Stephen King. 1/4

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

THE GUNSLINGER: THE WAY STATION (1982)
Acrylic on Illustration Board - 20" x 30"

It should come as a surprise to no one that I just love painting textures. 1/2

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/gunslinger-waystation/

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #gunslinger #rolanddeschain #jakechambers

THE GUNSLINGER: THE WAY STATION (1982)
Acrylic on Illustration Board - 20" x 30"

It should come as a surprise to no one that I just love painting textures. 1/2

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/gunslinger-waystation/

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #gunslinger #rolanddeschain #jakechambers

THE GUNSLINGER: THE TEMPLE OF THE ORACLE (1982)
Acrylic on Illustration Board - 20" X 30"

In this double-page spread from The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger, the hero has just taken Mescaline. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #gunslinger #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE GUNSLINGER: THE TEMPLE OF THE ORACLE (1982)
Acrylic on Illustration Board - 20" X 30"

In this double-page spread from The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger, the hero has just taken Mescaline. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #gunslinger #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE DARK TOWER: THE ARTIST'S DOOR (2004)
Oil on Panel - 28" x 18"

Patrick Danville, the magical artist, draws the door into existence. Note the 2 brushes on the doorknob. 1/2

#fantasy #sff #fantasyart #illustration #gunslinger #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE DARK TOWER: THE ARTIST'S DOOR (2004)
Oil on Panel - 28" x 18"

Patrick Danville, the magical artist, draws the door into existence. Note the 2 brushes on the doorknob. 1/2

#fantasy #sff #fantasyart #illustration #gunslinger #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE DARK TOWER: THE END OF THE ROAD (2003)
Acrylic on Panel - 22" x 30"

When I took on the task of illustrating the last Dark Tower book, this was the first painting I did. It was used as the endpapers for the hardcover editions. 1/2

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

THE DARK TOWER: THE END OF THE ROAD (2003)
Acrylic on Panel - 22" x 30"

When I took on the task of illustrating the last Dark Tower book, this was the first painting I did. It was used as the endpapers for the hardcover editions. 1/2

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

THE GUNSLINGER: THE SLOW MUTANTS (1981)
Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 20" x 15"

I took up the challenge of illustrating this scene illuminated solely by the flash of a gunshot. In so many ways, it was the shot that set the stage for Roland's epic journey to the Dark Tower. 1/4

#horror #horrorart #illustration #gunslinger #darktower #stephenking #rolanddeschain #jakechambers #slowmutants

THE GUNSLINGER: THE SLOW MUTANTS (1981)
Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 20" x 15"

I took up the challenge of illustrating this scene illuminated solely by the flash of a gunshot. In so many ways, it was the shot that set the stage for Roland's epic journey to the Dark Tower. 1/4

#horror #horrorart #illustration #gunslinger #darktower #stephenking #rolanddeschain #jakechambers #slowmutants

THE GUNSLINGER ON THE BEACH (1982)
Acrylic on Illustration Board - 28" x 18"

The winter months of 1980-81 were tough. My wife and I became parents with the arrival of our daughter in November, and I needn't tell anyone who has children what that means in terms of lifestyle changes...like lack of sleep. 1/4

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

THE GUNSLINGER ON THE BEACH (1982)
Acrylic on Illustration Board - 28" x 18"

The winter months of 1980-81 were tough. My wife and I became parents with the arrival of our daughter in November, and I needn't tell anyone who has children what that means in terms of lifestyle changes...like lack of sleep. 1/4

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

LEGENDS: THE GUNSLINGER (1998/2000)
Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 36" x 24"

Stephen King doesn't describe the tower in the early books of the Dark Tower series, but many of the main characters experience dream visions of the object of their quest. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

LEGENDS: THE GUNSLINGER (1998/2000)
Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 36" x 24"

Stephen King doesn't describe the tower in the early books of the Dark Tower series, but many of the main characters experience dream visions of the object of their quest. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain

A remarque in the Donald M. Grant edition of THE GUNSLINGER

#fantasy #fantasyart #illustration #gunslinger #stephenking #rolanddeschain

A remarque in the Donald M. Grant edition of THE GUNSLINGER

#fantasy #fantasyart #illustration #gunslinger #stephenking #rolanddeschain

THE DARK TOWER (2004)
Acrylic on Panel - 30" x 40"

After illustrating THE GUNSLINGER back in 1981, it seemed only natural that I return to close this epic series that spanned three decades. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #darktower #stephenking #rolanddeschain

THE DARK TOWER (2004)
Acrylic on Panel - 30" x 40"

After illustrating THE GUNSLINGER back in 1981, it seemed only natural that I return to close this epic series that spanned three decades. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #darktower #stephenking #rolanddeschain

THE DARK TOWER: THE LONG ROAD (2009)
Acrylic - 30 1/2" x 22"

I've revisited the Dark Tower many times in my career and with each trip to Mid-World I find myself a little farther down the road in my own journey. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #rolanddeschain

THE DARK TOWER: THE LONG ROAD (2009)
Acrylic - 30 1/2" x 22"

I've revisited the Dark Tower many times in my career and with each trip to Mid-World I find myself a little farther down the road in my own journey. 1/3

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #rolanddeschain

THE GUNSLINGER: HAX (1982)
Acrylic on Illustration Board - 28" X 20"

Interior illustration for THE DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER.

My portrayal of the young Roland in this scene suggests a young Stephen King. This was somewhat prescient as the character Stephen King appears in the last book and someone else remarks that "he could have been in Roland's family."

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/gunslinger-hax/

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain #cuthbertallgood

THE GUNSLINGER: HAX (1982)
Acrylic on Illustration Board - 28" X 20"

Interior illustration for THE DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER.

My portrayal of the young Roland in this scene suggests a young Stephen King. This was somewhat prescient as the character Stephen King appears in the last book and someone else remarks that "he could have been in Roland's family."

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/gunslinger-hax/

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #stephenking #darktower #gunslinger #rolanddeschain #cuthbertallgood

THE GUNSLINGER: OUTSIDE ELURIA (2005 / 2019)
Acrylic - 20" x 30"

Every time I think I'm 'done' with the universe of the Dark Tower I get called back again...and I go, eager to see if I can hit closer to the mark this time. 1/2

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #gunslinger #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE GUNSLINGER: OUTSIDE ELURIA (2005 / 2019)
Acrylic - 20" x 30"

Every time I think I'm 'done' with the universe of the Dark Tower I get called back again...and I go, eager to see if I can hit closer to the mark this time. 1/2

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #gunslinger #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE DARK TOWER: THE GATE OF ELURIA (2014)

This was originally created for a title page in LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA (Artist Edition). I left the area under the gate blank for the title lettering, and later it seemed the perfect entry point for Roland.

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/dark-tower-gate-eluria/

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE DARK TOWER: THE GATE OF ELURIA (2014)

This was originally created for a title page in LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA (Artist Edition). I left the area under the gate blank for the title lettering, and later it seemed the perfect entry point for Roland.

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/dark-tower-gate-eluria/

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #darktower #rolanddeschain #stephenking

THE DARK TOWER: ALGUL SIENTO (2003)
Acrylic on Panel - 28" x 18"

From first reading of the manuscript, I was drawn to this scene in THE DARK TOWER VII and knew I had to paint it. 1/2

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #darktower #rolanddeschain #jakechambers #oy #billybumbler

THE DARK TOWER: ALGUL SIENTO (2003)
Acrylic on Panel - 28" x 18"

From first reading of the manuscript, I was drawn to this scene in THE DARK TOWER VII and knew I had to paint it. 1/2

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #darktower #rolanddeschain #jakechambers #oy #billybumbler

THE DARK TOWER: KA-TET (2003)
Oil on Panel - 28" x 18"

Throughout the Dark Tower series, Stephen King portrayed Roland's group of fighters known as the Ka-Tet as a circle. Taking this as a cue, I built many circles into the composition and this became one of the author's most favorite illustrations.

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/dark-tower-ka-tet/

✨ ✨ ✨

#horror #horrorart #fantasy #sciencefiction #sff #illustration #darktower #stephenking #rolanddeschain #eddiedean #susannahdean #jakechambers #oy

THE DARK TOWER: KA-TET (2003)
Oil on Panel - 28" x 18"

Throughout the Dark Tower series, Stephen King portrayed Roland's group of fighters known as the Ka-Tet as a circle. Taking this as a cue, I built many circles into the composition and this became one of the author's most favorite illustrations.

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/dark-tower-ka-tet/

✨ ✨ ✨

#horror #horrorart #fantasy #sciencefiction #sff #illustration #darktower #stephenking #rolanddeschain #eddiedean #susannahdean #jakechambers #oy

SXRPWDF7VJ3HWPPPZESJ6CXI6SSHO5AY.jpg #rolanddeschain