HOME | DD
NicolasRGiacondino β Odin Gift-giver
Published: 2013-11-19 12:45:24 +0000 UTC; Views: 11554; Favourites: 380; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
This commission (very long overdue) was an absolute joy and challenge to depict at the same time.I never thought to be any good at drawing animals and I avoid them like the plague, except when they're mythical or fantastic creatures devoid of any natural counterpart. Yet, when challenged to draw Sleipnir, the eight-legged mount of Odin, as well as his trusted wolves Geri and Freki and his all-seeing ravens Huginn and Muninn, I took it on with delight. Those following my work know how passionate I am about Norse mythology, so this twist on the classic figure of the Allfather was fabulous to paint.
The brief the client gave me was clear: he wanted me to make an illustration of Santa Claus, as if his true nature was that of Odin. Thus, I tried to maintain the Norse aspects mostly prevalescent, yet adding some of the more commercial and modern landmarks of the Christmas figure. You'll notice the colors and hues point to that, whilst keeping to the aesthetic chosen for this piece. Subtlety was my main goal and I believe I achieved it to a great degree.
As usual, let me know what you think and hope that you like this one!
Hope you have a great week.
Nic.-
Related content
Comments: 65
Thank you very much!
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 1
You're very welcome!
π: 0 β©: 0
Thank you very much, mate!
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Magnificent work!
Β Might I ask if you've ever read The Dresden Files Master Aerion? (if you read the latest novel, you might get an amusing surprise).
π: 0 β©: 1
I haven't read the Dresden files, actually. But I had a client who was musing over getting a commission of the title character, so you might see some artwork related to it in the future
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 1
That would be most excellent! (I do heartily recommend that you read at least one of the novels before taking a crack at illustrating their star because if you enjoy the sheer CRAZY AWESOME of Warhammer 40K - especially INQUISITOR - I suspect that you'll find 'The Dresden Files' very much to your taste!).Β
π: 0 β©: 0
Wow, this is really impressive. You captured the humanity inherent in the Norse gods without sacrificing any of the power.
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you, my good friend!Β
I have always been passionate about Norse mythology and these archetypes are so organic and natural, that it's hard not to show their humanity.
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Thank you, mate!
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Obrigado, Emerson!
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
And is that the Lance of Longinus he's wielding? Β Holy religious cross-overs, Batman!
π: 0 β©: 1
Actually, it's Gungnir, Odin's spear. I looked up references for norse spears, and this is what came up; could be the wrong reference, though or the spears in both cultures tended to be similar.
Nic.-
π: 1 β©: 0
Hm... "Slejpnir"'s first syllable sounds a lot like "sleigh" and Old Christmas's sleigh is draw by nine reindeer, but it was originally eight, before Rudolf got added... and Slejpnir has eight legs...
Yep, this is the new interpretation of Old Christmas I'll be persuading my children is the case.
π: 0 β©: 1
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Oh, that is such an interesting commission to receive - and I think you did the animals just fine! I always find it difficult to draw animals both recognisable/realistic and still within my general style, but I think you nailed it! I like Sleipnir especially.
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you so much, as usual, Linn!
I'm glad the animals look okay and it was certainly a great commission to get. I can't complain on that subject! I do what I love for a living and have awesome clients that commission fun stuff
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Una combinacion muy astuta de elementos caballero y menos mal que no has elegido San Nicolas para insipirarte, ya que al ir de verde este ultimo, la identificacion de ideas habria sido mas dificil o menos intuitiva, a favoritos que va
π: 0 β©: 1
Β‘Gracias, mi querido Gon!
Nico.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Love me some Norse mythology, great job here!
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you my friend!
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
I love it Nic, thanks again! You did a top job.
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you very much, Cre!
It's always a great pleasure to be able to make the client's wishes come to life.
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Well, not to be specific, but I -am- a religious studies major...
The current image of Santa Claus is more or less a conflation of the story of Saint Nicholas and European imagery of the wild man/traveling man, like Herne the Hunter and Odin.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yes, indeed.
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Hope you haven't been naughty this year.
I have to say, I really do like how you did the animals here. I especially like how you did Sleipnir. That slight glare and scowl to the horse's face just really strikes me as interesting and characterful. Plus it ties in nicely with Santa's grimace.
I also like how you did the subtle breath effects and the border patterns too!
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you so very much, as usual, Colonel!
I'm glad you liked this image so much. I am content with the results I achieved regarding the animals in this piece, but I still think I have a lot of evolving and work to do on that front.
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
This is one of those pieces that amazes and delights at the same time. Odin is very well portrayed here as both an aged and wise warrior as well as a travelling dispenser of Nordic gifts. I love theΒ shape of the wolves. They seem extremely mysterious and powerful.Β I also think the timing is great, getting so near to the holiday season as we were.
π: 0 β©: 1
The timing couldn't be more perfect indeed, Joseph!
I'm glad this illustration amazd and delighted you; it's an honour.
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Thank you!
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Thank you very much, Lee!
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Totally! I bet a lot more kids would behave if it was this badass coming to get them
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
This came out so unbelievably cool. I love that horse.
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you, Sal!
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
My Patron deity, the voice that called to me in the dark, lonely nights of my youth without me knowing who he was. Β Oh incidentally Odin IS Santa Claus in a sense . . . . hold on let drudge up the research . . . Β -walks off- Β Are here are a very few examples of his nature and names
Here we are, written by a Priest of Odin:
Odin had many, many names. These were called heiti. Each of them corresponded to a different part of his nature. Some of them seem extensions of him that are so well developed they have a near independent existence. In this sense they are hypostases. Some of his more common ones are:
Oski: "Fulfiller of Wishes", Odin in his most benign aspect. This is the Odin Santa Claus comes from, who rides around the world at Yule leaving presents and punishments alike. In this sense he is served by "wishmaidens", who fulfill his will in the world.
Gagnrath: "Giver of Good Counsel".
Drauga Drottin: "Lord of the Dead, or Undead". The one who leads the hosts of the dead upon the earth in the dark half of the year.
Sanngetal: "Truth-finder".
Helblindi: "Hel-blind". No explanation of this name is recorded (but for my interpretation, see theΒ Berserkergang Β article). In this aspect, Odin is said to be Loki's brother.
Wod: "The Furious, or Possessed". Odin as battle-god. Also Odin as lord of poetry and inspiration. Also Odin as leader of the Wild Hunt.
Hattr: "The Hooded, or The Hat-Wearer". This may refer to the seidh-practice of gaining visions by sitting for some time under a hood, effectively blind and cut off from the outside world. Also another common term by which Odin is known as leader of the Wild Hunt.
High, Just-as-High, Third: Three forms met by Gylfi, a man who sought wisdom. Under these separate yet interdependant aspects, this Odinic trinity can be worshipped as the hidden teacher of the mystic or the martial artist, the god whose lessons are revealed through intermediaries or hidden sources.
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you for that bit of backdrop, Darrell!
I'm glad I was able to make justice to the old Wanderer.
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 1
S'aight Nic, thank you for gifting the world with your skill.
π: 0 β©: 0
Awesome as always.
You kinda dodged the 8 legs part though
π: 0 β©: 2
Hahaha...
Well, not quite; I actually drew the muscles and beginning of the eight legs. It was just impossible to draw them with the space it would've taken me
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
Actually I can seem them in the split, it looks like a muscle fold from the front.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yup. That's as far as I would take them too, imagine trying to draw Sleipnir running ^^
π: 0 β©: 1
wow this is amazing work nic!! i love how you drew the horse! splendid as always!
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you so much, my friend!
Nic.-
π: 0 β©: 0
awesome work. think people forget about Slejpinir nice
π: 0 β©: 1
| Next =>