SaraChristensen on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/sarachristensen/art/Mucha-Fantasy-XI-182327945SaraChristensen

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Mucha Fantasy XI

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Download Size: 2340 x 2340

My first project for Layout Graphic Design class: an illustration
that expresses something personal about yourself and also tries
to incorporate the number eleven. This went through so many
WIP stages, it was insane. I've been emailing my friends back
and forth asking for critique and I think I'm finally satisfied.

The number eleven can be seen in roman numerals up at the
top obviously, but there are other sets of eleven. Like the circles
in the crescent, the jewels, the fireflies, the stars, and the calla
lilies. All of them number eleven. It's subtle, but I like that.

In terms of personal expression, this piece really relates to me.
Unicorns have always been one of my favorite fantasy animals,
ever since I was little. Calla lilies are my first choice in flowers.
I love nature and chose to represent it by means of the moon,
stars, and fireflies. I find symmetry and balance aesthetically
pleasing and wanted to reinforce that by including Celtic knot
work and mirrored reflection. Also, I have long admired the art
of Alphonse Mucha (Google image search his name to see his
work) and attempted to replicate his style in my own style. And
lastly, this shade of blue-teal has always been one of my very
favorites. I use it often in my own art and design, it's so pretty.

All in all, I think this took me 15 hours from start to finish. Lots
of pen tool work over different sketches. I would work on this,
print it, sketch over it, scan it back in, and work on it more over
and over again. I think I did that three or four times. Everything
you see here was drawn without a reference, even the celtic and
filigree patterns. I just let it come from my own imagination.
I did try something new with the mane/beard/tail this time by
including 'gaps' in the hair shapes. Alphonse Mucha tends to
draw really exaggerated forms for his hair, so I wanted to show
that in my own illustration. The thing that took the most time
was actually the calla lily flowers because I chose to make them
all look different and natural as opposed to duplicating a single
lily. I mean, I'm glad that I chose to do that but at the same
time it was a lot of work, lol. The rest of the piece came pretty
easily to me, even the unicorn. I just love how he turned out.

There is some minimal post-work done in Photoshop for the
texture and beveled/engraved look, but otherwise this is 100%
Illustrator. I think I might release this as a lineart, would any
of you be interested in coloring it? I'd love to see your versions!

Created in Illustrator CS4 from October 5-10, 2010.

:bulletgreen: Texture: [link] by ~WCat-stock
Image size
2340x2340px 4.07 MB
© 2010 - 2024 SaraChristensen
Comments57
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swandog's avatar
This would be soooooooo awesome made of tooled leather!! :D