Book #10 in the Wind Dancer series features Brisa, the 'glamor' horse. She's pink and pretty and loves to be covered in jewels and sparklies, as well as enjoying them wherever she comes across them.
Here's one of the initial thumbnails, utilizing a 'charming' girly pose and plant-life that is known for jewel-like dew drops, Lady's Mantle.
Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla - 'the little Alchemist'), is one of my favorite herbs - with all kinds of folk medicine and folk-lore associated with it. The scalloped, serrated-edged leaves are covered with soft hairs which hold water drops on the surface and around the edges. My favorite medieval recipe calls for the collection of this dew from its leaves which was said to have magical properties: "It is said to preserve youth if a woman collects dew, in May, alone, in full moonlight, naked, with bare feet."I want to grow me a field of this stuff! :-)
Rough color comp to make sure I'm going in the right direction...
And here, finally after any number of dew-drops and sparkly jewels, here is the final drawing...
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13 comments:
a person better hope there isn't a cold spell in May when collecting dew :p
another lovely cover drawing :)
That is just to beautiful my friend...the talent in here staggers me! As for a field of Lady's Mantle...no, you wouldn't like it, take it from me...everything in small doses! But I love Lady's Mantle and Jack in the Pulpit and Queen Anne's Lace...not all are herbs but all are beautiful...such as your bookcover!
Sandi
LOL yes, that is assuredly a girl pose on the horse, fantastic.
Well darn. I was just kicking off my shoes and ready to shed the rest of my ensemble, when I saw I could only gather the dew in May!! Nine whole months to go!!
Brilliant tie-in to the Lady's Mantle. I love the plant but had no idea of the folklore attached. Very interesting.
Brisa will be beautiful!
Horses are hard to draw, maybe because they are so powerful and also somehow delicate. Not really delicate but ...goink! I can't even talk about them effectively let alone draw them. But you clearly understand their spirit and anatomy. And your herbs are serious stuff. I think I will plant some, hang around in the moonlight and see who shows up.
now if i could just find some lady's mantle...love the drawings...i miss you...hugs, rebecca
Lady's Mantle has been a favorite of mine, though I didn't know about collecting the dew in May. I was all the way there till I read the naked and barefoot part! Yea, my neighbors wouldn't appreciate me much. Love the cover! It's beautiful with so much detail.
Lol, i am waiting for may and dewy mornings! love the composition for this cover, as for drawing of horses, you make it look so easy! i am struggling with one just now -i have been drawing too many dogs lol
i love the illustrations ;0)
wow sooo beautiful and magical x
Mmmmm... I was good to go next May~ til the nakedie part ;) ha! That would curl the leaves before I could get a bottle under them! ha!!!!
Thanx for the comment
i like the drawings u put up,there just beatiful :)
poppy
xxxxx
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