Luschek Illustration Blog: For the Birds

Sunday, July 31, 2011

For the Birds

Occasionally when I am asked to illustrate an article I do my best to render or elaborate on a scene already in the text. Occasionally if I think it needs a bit more I will create my own little story to help give the art some life. One such article was the Birds of Harn article I did last year. I thought it might be interesting to post a few of the ideas I had for these illustrations that never were described or mentioned in the text. As it is a fantasy world anything is possible, but I try to make it as believable as I can. Most of the ideas are taken from, or similar to, things I have read in real world medieval folk lore.
I did 23 drawings of different birds for this article available on the Columbia Games site. I will discuss just a few of them below.

Above is a goshawk. A fairly typical looking bird, but I added some distinctive markings. I drew the bird with tear shaped markings. This may be an animal sacred to Peoni- the goddess of healing and agriculture, since it is said to cry after every kill. Kuboran barbarians mention the bird in their culture, with these markings resembling their facial scars.These bits of made up folk lore add depth and interest to the world of Harn- at least that is my goal.

I drew the falcon perched on the head of a statue that could be on the top of church in any Harnic city. I was thinking it could be Valamin (on a Laranian church), or Belsirasin the weeper (on a Peoni church).

This owl has a beard. I was thinking it could be called the flying Khuzan (Harnic Dwarves), or something similar. Some believe that they are sent by the dwarves to watch men. Also a good story to be used by parents to scare children that they have to behave because the Khuzan Owl is watching.

Most Harnic fans probably figured out my goal here. This one is a Peoni priestess saying a prayer holding a daisy and a chicken upside down. A prayer is said each time a chicken must give up its life for dinner.