Rhythm of War Interview with Michael Whelan

Brandon: "Is that an actual painting that you're folding?" Michael: "Yeah! I got tons of them." Brandon: thinking DON'T FOLD THE BEAUTIFUL PAINTINGS

Hello. This is just a rough set of timestamps for the interview. <Intro> 00:00:00 [We open with Brandon’s draconic signature.] 00:00:05 [A hello and introduction from Isaac.] 00:00:46 [Hi, Brandon} 00:00:48 [Hi, Michael.] <Q&A With Michael Whelan> 00:01:06 How did you get started doing the Stormlight covers? 00:03:23 [Brandon adds to the story.] 00:04:27 [Isaac on how visually Stormlight does share some notes with Sci-fi.] 00:04:49 [Brandon on the Sci-fi notes in Stormlight.] 00:05:39 [Michael on this idea.] 00:06:20 [Brandon on his sketches.] 00:07:18 Let’s talk about those first two covers that you did. How did you create those? What references did you use? [Specifically referring to the highstorms of Roshar.] 00:11:58 [Brandon on Michael’s landscapes.] 00:13:24 [Michael’s response.] 00:14:18 [Brandon and Michael on the different characters of in storms in different places.] 00:15:36 Do you have a favourite cover or one you have enjoyed the process on more than others? 00:19:51 [Yup. The covers really are awesome!] 00:20:04 [Brandon’s thoughts on the Rhythm of War cover.] 00:21:22 [I really love how it is clear Michael is a fan 😊] 00:22:13 [Brandon on the toughest thing about working with illustrators.] 00:22:48 [Michael on the art in the Dragonsteel edition Mistborn books.] 00:23:54 [Isaac on covers that may have been.] 00:25:19 [Michael on how he gets the balance of the covers right.] [Glorious concept sketches on screen at 00:25:28 ] 00:25:51 [Editing has Brandon’s back and Michael demonstrates what he was talking about live.] 00:26:50 [Michael on the choices he makes when making a Stormlight cover.] 00:28:35 [Brandon on fractals in worldbuilding and fractal worldbuilding.] 00:30:19 [Michael presents some great examples of this fractal worldbuilding from The Stormlight Archive.] 00:31:32 [On how the process for cover creation has changed.] 00:33:56 [Michael tantalizes with comments about scenes and environments from Rhythm of War. NO spoilers.] 00:35:31 You do a lot of sketches… concept art… Do you ever just find yourself lost in the art of creation on some of these preliminary pieces? 00:36:28 [Adolin preliminary sketch on screen.] 00:36:47 [Adolin preliminary painting on screen.] 00:36:54 [Alternate Adolin painting on screen.] 00:37:05 [Even more Adolin on screen.] 00:37:14 [Shallan preliminary painting on screen.] 00:38:07 [We would all love to see that indeed! Please.] 00:38:18 [Michael on if he ever finds himself bereft of ideas.] [Teeny tiniest of Adolin Rhythm of War spoilers, to the point of almost not being worth mentioning.] 00:39:24 [Brandon on the same idea, followed by a Michael follow-up.] 00:41:47 [Michael Whelan Stormlight concept sketches! We are being spoiled!] 00:41:59 What is your next project (that you can talk about)? 00:43:48 [Isaac flies his fan flag.] 00:44:21 Can you talk a little about how your process is actually a different process every time? [Isaac also talks about some of what he took away from working with Michael.] 00:49:29 [That was an unexpected appearance.] 00:49:30 [Isaac starts the wrap up.] 00:49:49 To Michael from Brandon, do you have prints of the Rhythm of War cover up for sale? 00:51:08 [Michael’s closing thoughts.] 00:52:58 [Isaac kicks off the goodbyes.] 00:54:03 [Thank you and goodbye!

Michael's got such an amazing soul and matter of fact approach to his craft. He just throws up these amaaaazzzinngg paintings that for him are just nothing. Yet he's so humble. True to his craft. Pure artist!

The Rhythm of War cover art is my absolute favorite of all of Brandon's books, it's just so beautiful. It's been my wallpaper since it was released. 💖

Brandon's face when Michael showed his concept canvas book jacket was golden. Couldn't tell if there was drool or not, but loved seeing him so taken by something. And for the record, I felt the same way!

Michael is one of my all-time favorites, such great imagination and vivid execution.

I love how they are peeling back the cover on the collaborative and artwork process - it's my quarantine therapy!

Between this and Daniel Greene’s interview with Brandon, how am I supposed to get back to writing (my thesis)?

Whelan is a living legend, one of my favorite illustrators and my favorite cover artist

The Way of Kings cover is destined to be iconic ... fantastic.

We need a complete book of illustrations!

This was awesome! I love seeing how even the cover artist for this series can tell that something special is happening with Stormlight Archive.

Such a great interview! I did have to rein in my envy a little; it's kind of not fair for Michael to be such a wildly talented artist, AND be articulate, AND be so pleasant and affable

"Looking at fan art is like a garden of infinite delight"... Omfg!!! Michael is so right. It's phenomenal looking at fan art of any series I fall in love with, makes me so happy <3

Having just finished my first read through of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King, I loved Brandon's wonderful moment when he revealed what a fan he was of Whelan's work and the DT. It was really worth hunting down illustrated editions of those books, particularly the last one, which was illustrated by Whelan. Just a neat moment where two of my nerdy fan interests combined!

I love seeing the camaraderie and creative excitement between the visual artist Whelan and the Wordsmith Artist Sanderson! Michael Whelan has always been one of my favorite fantasy / sci-fi cover artist (as well as my brother who is very very talented too). And I have learned so much from Brandon Sanderson's lectures about writing that this was a real treat to see and hear.

haha Brandon and Adam looking at each other when they heard that Michael has tons of paintings lying around 26:47

I just love the artistic collaborations, and the way one man's book can bring forth so much creativity for many to enjoy and prosper from.

Just picked up the book! Thanks so much to all of you for your efforts - they are much appreciated!

I’d trade a shard blade for one of those painting and he’s just folding them around books 😱