Been wondering what I've been doing since my last traditional art posting and why I've only been posting my cosplays and nature photos? That's because I've been working on one of the biggest art challenges I could ever imagine. Normally, I draw anime, animals, and flowers/trees. However, I hardly ever draw realistic people, let alone recognizable actors. It's taken me years to work up the courage to master this style of art. This is my realism tribute to Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. (This piece is huge and can't be scanned and the camera doesn't do it justice). I first fell in love with this book in 5th grade. I began reading it near Christmastime and was immediately sucked into the world of Narnia. When the movie came out years later, I knew I had to see it. It was amazing and very realistic. I loved the stunning use of CG, the actors, and the music. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is an excellent movie, my favorite along with Princess Mononoke.
For me, this drawing represents all of the struggles I went through this year and the eventual coming of summer (and freedom). It also represents artistic growth and maturity. Narnia is something special for my sister, brother, and me. Each winter, we enter the wardrobe and discover a world that's all our own. As Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, we help Mr. Tumnus, the Fox, and the Beavers and try to escape from the wolves and the White Witch. We romp in the powdery snow and explore icy tunnels and forests. Christmas, snow days, and Narnia, for us, are synonymous. Then, in the spring, green grass and a cool breeze bring the final battle against the White Witch. For hours, under a warm sun, we clash bows, shields, daggers, staffs, swords, and sticks. That is the magic of what it means to be a kid.
In honor of my siblings, who are my best and closest friends, I have drawn them this huge Narnia piece. On the right, I drew the majestic king, Aslan (for whom I cried when he died). I tried to portray sadness in his gold eyes. I also placed him opposite hi nemesis, Jadis the White Witch. While Aslan represents goodness and is sacrificial, Jadis is the ultimate example of evil in Narnia. I drew her staring intensely with her green eyes at Aslan. She is wearing an ice crown and white fur coat. Next, of course, I drew the Pevensies. Peter is wearing his suit of armor for the last battle; Susan (my favorite) is wearing a purple coat, green dress, and her bows and arrows; Edmund is wearing the blue robe he got at the Professor's; and Lucy is walking under an umbrella with Mr. Tumnus. For Lucy, I wanted to portray innocence and a sort of magic. That is why she and Mr. Tumnus are stepping out of the snowy forest and the wardrobe and into the "Spare Oom." I thought doing this would make him so much more real. Later on, I added the Fox and the Beavers and their table. One of the most challenging parts of this drawing, believe it or not, was the wardrobe because of its intricate textures and designs. (The wood-working that went into carving this is just incredible). I had to use a mixture of picture references, pausing the Narnia movie, and staring at the videogame to complete it. Each and every panel is exactly accurate. The two lions on top are Aslan, while the two queens on the bottom are the White Witch. On the right: the two rings Professor Kirk used to get into Narnia as a child, two trees in the Shuddering Woods, a floating castle, and the bell and hammer Diggory Kirk used to wake up Jadis. On the left: the magic healing apple from Narnia (eaten by the White Witch), a phoenix, and a winged horse named Fledge. I even included the wooden floor and background panels from the movie. Wow, what a mouthful!
I would also like to dedicate this to whose amazingly realistic pencil pieces have both inspired me and blown me away! Thank you to my sister and brother once more for your love and support. You have truly shaped a memorable childhood with me.