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

[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!