For this drawing I wanted to incorporate little things here and there from the show. I’ll avoid listing them all out, so as to not put out spoilers for those who have yet to watch the series or read the books. A side note ─ drawing skulls, bones, and such don’t bother me. I’ve got so say however, that I’ve never been more troubled by nature than while studying Snapdragon seed pods.
As I went to post my latest Wardruna inspired drawing, I realized I missed posting the last two pieces I had done. So here’s me backtracking to a couple of older sketchbook drawings. I’ve gone back to using my Strathmore Tan Drawing Sketchbook, and I would say after using it for this long it’s the only sketchbook I’ve gone back to over and over again (sadly some of my regular sketchbooks are collecting dust). Many artists, myself included, love the amount of depth you can easily create on toned paper. You already have a working middle ground, so pushing the shadows and highlights comes easier and results in better depth in the overall drawing.
I’m using the term ‘pagan folk’, but sometimes placing specific genres on a musician or band can be a bit vague. ‘Faroese singer-songwriter’ comes up for a singer like Eivør Pálsdóttir or ‘alternative Nordic pop’ for Aurora or Kalandra. The band Heilung describes their own music as “amplified history”. Where as a band like Faun from Germany, identifiable with their medieval themes, gets labelled pagan folk as well. All to say, lots of genres being thrown out there to the point that I don’t know how to package any of these musicians into one specific label.
The desire to be closer to nature, live more rural, and escape from the general madness of our concrete jungles is no longer reserved to a small population. It’s also something being translated more and more into different art forms including music. Inspiration can be found in many forms different from your practice; photography, film, etc, but mine has overwhelming been through music and literature. I can easily get lost in the rhythms and voice of a singer like Einar and feel transported.
“I think many people who don’t go to church or other religious ceremonies,
I think they miss that solemn, holy place.
…
One of the goals with Wardruna concert is to actually create that space.
To create that serious space, moment, where you can just get lost into the music.
…
It’s about communication, back and forth.
About acknowledging things that are bigger than yourself. Remembering nature,
that we are part of it, etc.”
-Einar Selvik with Iron Realm Productions at Midgardsblot 2016.
The drawings for Kvitravn; the one above and the one with the white raven featuring Lindy-Fay Hella, are both inspired by Wardruna‘s latest album and the visuals from their respective music videos which you can find on Youtube.
Crossing everything for a season 2; have yet to pick up the novels from Tana French.
These couple of weeks, I’ve added to the long list of artistic challenges for myself by exploring design once again. I used to include a lot of in my work in my high school days, from fabric to generally…..everywhere. Feeling that I’ve lost touch with it, I decided to take on learning Celtic knots and similarly Viking designs; which I may be able to incorporate into future work. As you may know I’m very interested in Scandinavian history and Norse designs, so I thought that if I’m going to do studies I might as well make it for something I’m very interested in exploring.
There are various resources to look at, from books, videos, to good old Google. The Book of Kells is of course recommended by most tutorials I’ve come across, as well as just looking at various Viking artifacts for inspiration. For reference purposes (for myself in my sketchbook) I followed an incredibly helpful playlist from a charming gentleman on Youtube, whom I’ll link below if you’re keen on learning various knots.
RESOURCES:
There are a myriad of references you can consult on the web, so I wont bore you with google searches which I’m sure in this day and age everyone already knows about. Here are a few things I’ve been looking at.
Celtic Design by David Nicholls via Youtube
Getting back to working with graphite again. I think I had gotten a little annoyed in the past because of smudging issues. Working with blending stumps has really bought back my love for it again; and its just refreshing.
Yesterday was Family Fan Day in Toronto, and I was lucky enough to meet some of the stars from various shows like Murdoch Mysteries, Caught, and Anne. The cast were so incredibly nice, to the extent of indulging me in signing my work. I’m curious to know how many of you were also able to drop by at the Sony Centre yesterday?
Art of Shaima