The Work-In-Progress pencils of my Princess of Mars illustration. I’ve been itching to try my own interpretation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs’ vision for the characters, working entirely from his text in Princess of Mars. Although it was challenging, I did the best I could to shy away from becoming influenced by other existing interpretations, including the latest Disney’s movie John Carter.

Below are some of my notes from the text:

Tars Tarkas, an adult male Thark
– 40′ long metal tipped spear
– protruded eyes on extreme sides of the head
– vertical slits for nose
– tusks used for fighting
– 15 ft tall, 6 limbed, no nails
– no hair, smooth build, dark olive skin
– Jeds & Jeddaks wear feather fur lined silk short cape
– red iris, white eye, gleaming white teeth

A Thoat
– 8-legged creature
– Can walk very quietly
– Hairless
– Shiny
– No hoofs or nails
– Tail flare out wider at the tip than the base