13th March 2004, digital painting from pencil sketch, 13.5x21cm

A digitally coloured version of the black & white conceptual sketch Conan the Conqueror, painted quickly in under two hours,
retaining the original pencil.

Here is King Conan, bearing his crown of iron upon a troubled brow, hand resting on the pommel of his fabled Atlantean sword - a strong but fair ruler under which Aquilonia prospers.  Inspired by Robert E Howard's Conan the Conqueror.

Following the events of Conan the Liberator by L Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter , and the "The Phoenix on the Sword" and "The Scarlet Citadel" by Robert E Howard in Conan the Usurper ...

"... For nearly two years after the events of The Scarlet Citadel , Aquilonia flourishes under Conan's firm but tolerant rule.  The lawless, hard-bitten adventurer of former years has, through force of circumstance, gradually matured into an able and responsible statesman.  But a plot is brewing in the neighbouring kingdom of Nemedia, and the plotters plan to bring down the king of Aquilonia by means of the sinister sorcery of an elder day.

"At this time, Conan is about forty-six years old, showing few signs of age save the countless scars that crisscross his mighty frame and a somewhat more cautious, deliberate approach to wine, women, and bloodshed than was the case in his uproarious youth.  Although he keeps a harem of luscious concubines, he has never taken an official wife - a queen - and hence has no legitimate son to inherit the throne.  His secret enemies mean to take full advantage of this fact..."