Arkham Library

The opportunity to do cover art for Arkhamin Kirjasto was in a way dream come true for me. Not only because Jussi Lehtisalo is just great guy to work with - but also because H.P. Lovecraft is the single biggest inspiration for my art. Like the name suggests - the band 'Arkhamin Kirjasto' (Arkham Library) also draws its atmosphere and lyrics from the Cthulhu mythos.

It was also an opportunity to do something else. So far most of my works have included somekind of monstrosities and landscapes - it was clear from the beginning that I would want to do scene that would illustrate the library of Arkham. Maybe some monstrosities too, but in a more subtle way (we'll it ended up being bit more than subtle...).

Works of H.P. Lovecraft are great inspiration.

The artwork for "Undead Priest of Holy Trinity of Death" 7" EP shows a scene inside Arkham Library. A ritual of some sort has gone badly wrong (or working as intended, who knows!) and monstrosities are crawling out from their hiding places. The tendrils are drawn towards the elder sign in the painting - which is coming to life on its own, releasing who knows what cosmic horrors to this world.

Arkham Library.

I like paintings where there is new details to be found each time you look at it. Sometimes they can be subtle hints of mood, sometimes just lots of details which tell a story of their own. This was probably the first time I really wanted to add as much details as I could - as previously I have mostly tried to concentrate on the mood and bigger picture with maybe a single focus point. I did my best not to hold back, just add everything that came to my mind. The center of the scene is less crowded, I intended that the logo would be added there but as the artwork became more or less finished it became obvious that it wouldn't work.

Arkhamin Kirjasto - Undead Priest of Holy Trinity of Death (7" EP, Full Contact / Ektro Records, 2013). / Layout by Musta Kirahvi.

It was great fun to make this, and hell of a lot more work that I anticipated - details can be very time consuming. But like I said - lots of fun. Hope you like the end result.

-Eero