Art for the 2009 Werewolf Calendar
((*waves* Hi guys! FInished up some big projects - here's one, and expect more soon! Miss you all!))
Here is my entry for the 2009 Edition of the Werewolf Calendar! It's available NOW for purchase at werewolfcalendar.com! There will be a limited number available. Calendars purchased by November 21st will go out in the mail by December 1st.
Featuring art by Annush K, Balaa, Coyox, Khaosdog, Loba, Myenia, Novawuff, Rayndancer, Zakka, Zowolf, and myself. Many many MANY thanks to Myenia for her guidance and PATIENCE! *applauds her*
-------------------------------
I'm not in the same league as the more realistic artists in the calendar *bows to them all* so I did what I am best at, which is stylized realism, symbolism, and iconography. The background is loosely based on Tintern Abbey; I like werewolves and old churches, an idea I have explored before (like this sketch from 1996). I ornamented the werewolf in Celtic style jewelry, including items in the lesser-known (but still beautiful) Celtic La Tène style.
The werewolf is colored white with red ears, as a tip to the story of The Wild Hunt (often telling of a pack of ghostly white hounds with red ears), and the statue in the werewolf's paws is symbolic of The Lord of the Hunt (or perhaps Cernunnos). The Wild Hunt is something that appears in many myths from many countries; I chose to go with the more Celtic aspects of it, but I like all the variations of the story. The crescent moon behind the window refers to the calendar description - "werewolves are not... affected by the moon". Since "they are in complete control of themselves in any form, and are grateful for their gift", I chose to do a more calm yet sentient one, just so I didn't copy the January image from last year (which was awesome, BTW).
(Note: you may recognize this particular werewolf. I always wanted to re-draw her)
Pencil original here. I will have it for sale at an art show next year. Detail images here: Detail 1, Detail 2
-------------------------------
I took a really long time with this image, and though I tried my best I know there are errors. Still, I learned a lot doing this and was very happy to be a part of this project. Thank you, Myenia!
Tools Used: Most of the work was done by hand, in pencil on Strathmore bristol board. I laid out the background in Adobe Illustrator CS3, then re-drew it by hand on the final board to make it more rough and textured. Color was added in Photoshop CS3, and yes, I am still using a mouse - haven't gotten around to getting a tablet yet. Soon!
References: I was inspired by images of Tintern Abbey, and goldwork and jewelry in the numerous Celtic reference books I own. The knotwork was inspired by Dover Celtic royalty-free clipart, and I looked at a few hundred images of wolves before starting this. As usual for me, I changed and stylized things in my own way; since this was to be a fantasy image, I was not trying to be completely accurate. Also, if you are interested, some Wild Hunt links (including information about red-eared hounds): Link 1, Link 2, Link 3.
I can't believe I am finally done. Between coming up with the idea, making a million sketches, drawing it, detailing it, and coloring it, this took many months (as you know, I only have a little free time to draw). I was really happy to work on this, as I learned a lot, and now I can't wait to do some gift art and art just for me. Yay!
More art coming soon!
Here is my entry for the 2009 Edition of the Werewolf Calendar! It's available NOW for purchase at werewolfcalendar.com! There will be a limited number available. Calendars purchased by November 21st will go out in the mail by December 1st.
Featuring art by Annush K, Balaa, Coyox, Khaosdog, Loba, Myenia, Novawuff, Rayndancer, Zakka, Zowolf, and myself. Many many MANY thanks to Myenia for her guidance and PATIENCE! *applauds her*
-------------------------------
I'm not in the same league as the more realistic artists in the calendar *bows to them all* so I did what I am best at, which is stylized realism, symbolism, and iconography. The background is loosely based on Tintern Abbey; I like werewolves and old churches, an idea I have explored before (like this sketch from 1996). I ornamented the werewolf in Celtic style jewelry, including items in the lesser-known (but still beautiful) Celtic La Tène style.
The werewolf is colored white with red ears, as a tip to the story of The Wild Hunt (often telling of a pack of ghostly white hounds with red ears), and the statue in the werewolf's paws is symbolic of The Lord of the Hunt (or perhaps Cernunnos). The Wild Hunt is something that appears in many myths from many countries; I chose to go with the more Celtic aspects of it, but I like all the variations of the story. The crescent moon behind the window refers to the calendar description - "werewolves are not... affected by the moon". Since "they are in complete control of themselves in any form, and are grateful for their gift", I chose to do a more calm yet sentient one, just so I didn't copy the January image from last year (which was awesome, BTW).
(Note: you may recognize this particular werewolf. I always wanted to re-draw her)
Pencil original here. I will have it for sale at an art show next year. Detail images here: Detail 1, Detail 2
-------------------------------
I took a really long time with this image, and though I tried my best I know there are errors. Still, I learned a lot doing this and was very happy to be a part of this project. Thank you, Myenia!
Tools Used: Most of the work was done by hand, in pencil on Strathmore bristol board. I laid out the background in Adobe Illustrator CS3, then re-drew it by hand on the final board to make it more rough and textured. Color was added in Photoshop CS3, and yes, I am still using a mouse - haven't gotten around to getting a tablet yet. Soon!
References: I was inspired by images of Tintern Abbey, and goldwork and jewelry in the numerous Celtic reference books I own. The knotwork was inspired by Dover Celtic royalty-free clipart, and I looked at a few hundred images of wolves before starting this. As usual for me, I changed and stylized things in my own way; since this was to be a fantasy image, I was not trying to be completely accurate. Also, if you are interested, some Wild Hunt links (including information about red-eared hounds): Link 1, Link 2, Link 3.
I can't believe I am finally done. Between coming up with the idea, making a million sketches, drawing it, detailing it, and coloring it, this took many months (as you know, I only have a little free time to draw). I was really happy to work on this, as I learned a lot, and now I can't wait to do some gift art and art just for me. Yay!
More art coming soon!