Description: Sam included this piece in his website portfolio in 2007 and described it as "Project 51 Productions | Concept art for the upcoming animated film based on Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse." This painting depicts what were to be two of the story's main protagonists, Trevor Belmont and Sypha. Sam finished the piece digitally, adding red blood to punctuate the otherwise monochromatic image (see Additional Images).

Comic book writer Warren Ellis announced his involvement in the direct-to-DVD feature in March 2007. Project 51 Productions had gotten the rights from Konami to create movies based on Castlevania and the Dracula's Curse Animated Movie was to be their first project with the property. James Jean was to be responsible for art direction. In August 2008, an update from the production team confirmed that while Ellis had turned in a draft, there was interest from other studios about releasing it theatrically instead of as a direct-to-DVD title. No additional announcements were made for several years and the project was assumed cancelled until February 2017 when producer Adi Shankar and Netflix announced the project would be released as a series, which premiered on July 7, 2017 and went on to have 4 seasons, concluding in 2021.

The art is gorgeously framed with museum glass at an overall size of 31” x 35”. It is double matted with a 1/4" inch gray inner mat and ~3” white outer mat. All of the close-up photos for the Additional Images were taken through the amazingly clear glass.

Year: 2007
Medium: Watercolor and ink on Fabriano 140 hot press watercolor paper
Image Area: 19.25" x 22.5" (31" x 35" framed)
Image Source: Original
Condition: Excellent