Art for "He Who Reigns in Strelsau" : a Zenda story by el_staplador

[bunn]

I was delighted to get the chance to illustrate this swashbuckling tale of Old Ruritania for smallfandombang. Sadly, it appears that there are no photographs available of the celebrated Palace of Strelsau, which I understand was tragically destroyed during the Second World War,  but fortunately there are many images available of Dresden Castle, which was of course constructed by the same architect to a similar plan.*

The scene above shows the emotional scene during which the unfortunate king of Ruritania must apologise for having been too drunk to attend his own coronation:  "I have no doubt that history will record a sorry spectacle, but I did my best, and I must be thankful that only jeers met me when I stood there on the palace steps. I had expected rotten eggs, or stones."

Read the Story here.
No really, do.  It has swashbuckling and is funny and touching and the ending is way more satisfying than 'A Prisoner of Zenda'.

* just in case you wondered, yes, I do know Ruritania isn't really real. Alas.

Comments

Fic: He Who Reigns In Strelsau

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User el_staplador referenced to your post from Fic: He Who Reigns In Strelsau (http://el-staplador.livejournal.com/477747.html) saying: [...] to Rudolf Rassendyll First. Today I am able to present this for your perusal, with bonus pictures [...]

[tarlanx]

I love your art for the story :)

[starsandbread.livejournal.com]

Wonderful art.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Great story - and lovely art. I did like the scene you have illustrated in the second pic - it's nice to see it illustrated.

What do you mean, Ruritania isn't real? But what about my youthful dreams of riding away with Rupert of Hentzau (film version, not the one in el_staplador's story)

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

I love teh illustrations! And the fic is on my to-read list now. :)

[bunn.livejournal.com]

I think you'll enjoy it!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Great art.

[anna-wing.livejournal.com]

That is the most amazingly brilliant fic. Thanks for the recommendation!

[oonaseckar.livejournal.com]

Oops, I did mean to comment here, not on the comm.

As I was saying! That's lovely. I'm not familiar with the canon, barring some old films, but the little soldiers and carriages are delightful.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

I like the picture :-)

[amoredition.livejournal.com]

Holy buckets, this is spectacular! Pastels were a great choice. You totally aced that palace illustration - the colors/layout/general style really drive home the setting and feel of the story, even for people who know nothing about the Zenda universe.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I wasn't sure about the palace scene : there are so many fine details when you draw architecture! So the praise/reassurance is doubly welcome.

[dhampyresa.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Did you use soft pastels or oil pastels?

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Soft pastels. I find it hard to get fine detail on them, but I've now bought a little rubber nib thing that helps a lot.

I think the palace walls ended up looking a bit fungoid. It's hard to get dead straight liines in pastel.

[dhampyresa.livejournal.com]

The fact that details are so hard to do in pastels is one of the big draw-backs of pastels for me -- I'm one of those details people -- but the little soldiers in the army are great! I am in awe.

Can I ask what the rubber nib thing is? I like the feel of pastels and would like to practice them more.

I think the walls look fine! In the indoors pic it even evokes the flickering of candle light.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

It was one of these : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colour-Shaper-Taper-Point-Painting/dp/B005SBEJKI?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01

basically it's just a pointy bit of silicone on a paintbrush handle, but it allows you to move the pastel colour about. The other thing that I think is essential is a kneadable eraser, so that you can splosh the colour on liberally but then take it off again from the places where it isn't needed.

The thing that I find nice about pastels is how fast you can work in them. That and the ability to create interesting smudges and smears!

[dhampyresa.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That does seem very useful.

I love how fast pastels are. I'm currently working on an A3 pastel and it is going so fast! I'm hoping to finish it next time the studio is open.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

I hope you'll take a photo, would like to see it!