CLARE HEDGES
BRIAN FROUD & ALAN LEE
'Faeries'
Fig. 1
Brian Froud is an illustrator, author and film designer. Known for his concept work as well as costume design on The Dark Crystal (1982) and Labyrinth (1986).
Froud is arguably best known for his illustrative books on the world of the Faery including - Good Faeries/Bad Faeries, Trolls and Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book.
Froud collaborated with fellow illustrator and concept artist Alan Lee to create 'Faeries' (1978). This book focuses on Faerie as an entity and looks at the various folklore such as Goblins, Elves and Faeries.
Faeries gives an insight into the incredible imagination of both Froud and Lee. It is very inspiring and is of particular interest to me as I wish to create characters of a similar genre.
Most of Froud and Lee's work have explanations of the type of faerie that they have documented however this page has to the right has no explanation.
I really like this page, I like how there are many different sketches all within one sketches and that within this page you can see many various designs and faces. Due to the fact that there are no explanations to these characters, I am also struck by my own interpretation of them. My interpretation of these characters is that they are good creatures, not evil. I find this interesting as good and evil is a theme within faery that I may be looking to explore further. I am interested in what it is in the design of a creature that causes us to assume they are evil or bad natured.
Most of these creatures have big ears, big noses and high brows and expressionate faces.
Fig 2.
REDCAP
As I am interested in the good and evil of these characters, I feel it is important to look at the Scottish myth of Redcap a little further.
Living in the ancient ruins of castles, a Redcap will murder the travellers which stray into their ruins and will dye their hat with their blood. They must kill continuously, as if the blood on their hat dries - they will die. I like the backstory to Redcap. If I create my own creature from my imagination, I plan to create a solid backstory for it.
The only way to escape a Redcap is to quote a verse of the Bible - this causes them to lose teeth.
I note that Redcap is portrayed as an evil character and has a big nose which is a focal point of the design I feel. Interestingly, the characters in fig.1 (which I felt looked good natured) have long slender noses. This could be an interesting design point if I want to create an evil character.
I also like the long straggly hair of this design.
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
JENNY GREENTEETH
Trolls - FROUD
Fig. 5
I really like the texture of this creature and the shapes on the skin - II could perhaps think about incorporating various different shapes in the skin texture.
Fig. 6
I love the costume in this illustration - could give some ideas for my creatures costume. I like the idea of the bones hanging from the outfit.
This design of Jenny Greenteeth is interesting particuarly the receded hairline. I could recreate something similar by using a silicone bald cap and punching the hair into it. If I did so, I would make the hair thinning rather than volumous by punching the hair sparsely.
The page below discusses the sensitivity of Trolls. I feel this is reflected in this design particularly with the ears - they are drooped downwards and give the character a sense of sadness/sensitivity. I also like the incorporation of moss on the back of the troll - is this for camoflage purposes as the back also looks like rocks
- Faeries take visible shape in forms derived from their location e.g trees, stones, vegetation around them.
- Many faery details taken from human concepts - garlands, crowns, clothes, hats, wands
- Faery wings - The form of a faery's wings give a clue about each faery's function. Winged female faeries are considered the souls messengers
- Faery horns - sometimes a faery may have horns or antlers curving above her head. Faery horns represent process of renewal, regrowth and rebirth
-.Faeries with red ears - Red ears are a distinctive mark of a supernatural nature.
Fig. 13
I like the branch-like design of the antler horns of this faery.
Good Faeries - Brian Froud
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