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saeriellyn β Chronicles of Prydain Box
Published: 2007-12-07 15:19:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 9595; Favourites: 148; Downloads: 0
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NOTE: this is an unfinished version of this piece. Check my gallery for the final version.A couple months ago random dude online contacted me about using some of my Prydain images to make his girlfriend a boxed set of the books for Christmas. (Brownie points, anyone?)
This got my wheels turning and I was so excited about it that I told him rather than using random illustrations from inside the books that I would design something new, more symbolic of the series as a whole.
So this is side one - in its first inception, because I still have work to do, not to mention adding text. And unfortunately I am running out of time so I don't think I'll be able to finish side 2 in time for Christmas, so this will be on both sides of the box for now and if he wants the new and improved version later I can get it to him. I am going to do the second side regardless because now I want the box myself! Hee hee.
Nothing new as far as characters, but I am very pleased with the results so far.
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Comments: 56
You're my kind of fan, then. Make sure you check out my graphic novel adaptation!
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I will with time. I really adore these books. I even read the The Foundling and OtherΒ Tales of Prydain, the one before the main characters were born. That last book in the series has been the only one to make me cry uncontrollably, and believe me, I've read many books. I tend to like that which is not heard by many people. And when I introduce it to them, they end up loving it, whether it's a movie, series or novel. I'm still new to Deviantart and I have a lot of catching up to do, so it's so awesome to see art like this
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Welcome then!Β
I'm a bit of a lover of obscure literature myself. I've been evangelizing Prydain for about twenty years now, between art and fanfiction it's safe to say I've done almost as much with it as its own author (more, eventually - my current writing project is to re-write the books from Eilonwy's perspective, and I'm a couple chapters into the second book on that. Also at work on a prequel about her parents and the fall of Llyr, using The True Enchanter as inspiration.) It breaks my heart that more people don't know about this series, especially now when YA fantasy is so popular (and much of what is written is so weak). But...c'est la vie, at least we are spared more bad movie adaptations, for now. So glad you are here, and thank you for commenting!Β
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Of course. Even though I found out about Prydain recently, they have become so precious to me. And it's awesome to find somebody here that loves it as much as I do. You're right, it doesn't get enough attention, and it's a shame most people know about the movie than the terrific books. It's almost a crime how these gems areΒ still hidden for so many people.
But hey, keep up the good work. Introduce people to this marvelous series. Eilonwy is probably my favorite character of them all. So spunky and independent, a concept that was very rare for a princess back then. And have you read Time Cat? This was Lloyd's first try with adventure books for young people, and it's actually a very good novel too. There's a character there that you almost immediately know she was the inspiration for Eilonwy
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I haven't read Time Cat - it's on my to-do list! But I have read many of his other works, and though none grab me quite as much as Prydain did, I recognize all his character archetypes; he used the same ones again and again but somehow it never becomes tiresome; in fact it's rather like coming home.Β Β I so wish I could have met Lloyd. I have a letter he wrote to me in response to the fan mail I sent him, and in my circle of online friends there are a couple who knew him personally, and all agree he was just the sweetest, loveliest person you could find.Β
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I have read only Time Cat and the Prydain Chronicles, but I do intend to read as much of his work as I can. Though you're right. I don't think he managed to overpass Prydain. They're just too good! Do you really have Lloyd's letter? Aw man, I'm so jealous! And your friends were so lucky! Unfortunately, I came to love his work after he passed away. It makes me so furious I didn't read his books much soonerΒ Β
At least I have Cressida Cowell. She's another one of my favorite authors, and no matter how many times I email her, she always responds, even if she sometimes takes weeks or even months. I mentioned her Lloyd Alexander, and it turns out she's a fan of him as well
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I look at art like this and I think, man, how did The Black Cauldron come from THIS?
A rhetorical question, if you read up on that movie's history it should be pretty damn clear where that movie went wrong.
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Oh yeah, I mean, it's such a sad, sad story of a studio doing everything wrong in the midst of everything BEING wrong.Β
But the worst of it is they don't ever seem to LEARN from these mistakes. See: A Wrinkle in Time.Β Β
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the more I look at this picture, it looks like the writer "borrowed" from LOR and Narnia, but I've always loved the books.
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I never thought he borrowed anything. He used a lot of the same tropes, but most fantasy does. I would say Prydain has more in common with LOTR since they're both monomythic cycles; I don't see much connection at all to Narnia except it being a medieval fantasy proto-Britain culture.
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It is a very captivating story though, the first series of books I ever read in middle school, was fun trying to pronounce the welsh names. I suppose at some point all medieval semi-biblical satire is bound to look alike. Trying to understand the background described and still follow the story of LOTR was difficult, the writer seemed to try too hard to explain everything.
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I like everything in this except for Eilonwy's face, it just doesn't look quite right.
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I love this series. Big influence on me as a kid. You did a beautiful job on this piece.
Interesting Gurgi design. I personally like the ape-like depictions of him. To me, he always seemed like a missing link type creature or a woodwose (mythical wild man). You're right that he was described with a "wet wolfhound" odor though.
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Very intriguing and beautiful! I loved those books, but only know a few people who have actually read and loved them. As a small way of spreading the word, I gave my sister the first Prydain book, The Book of Three, as a Valentine's Day gift. She seemed surprised to get it, but liked the thought nonetheless. I like pretty much all of the characters of Prydain, especially Taran and Fflewddur, as well as Gwydion. What kind of irks me is that there aren't enough female characters in this particular series apart from Eilonwy and Achren.
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Thank you so much! But I'm going to disagree with you about female characters. That Eilonwy and Achren hold their own in a series set in a male-centric culture, written at a time when strong female characters were not the norm, is striking enough. The other female roles are limited, but strong. The witches of Morva are a force to be reckoned with, Teleria is comedic but not weak, and Dwyvach is a voice of wisdom and experience as important as the others in Wanderer. Alexander was actually groundbreaking in his treatment of female roles, and he never created an unimportant or throwaway character - the respect he afforded his heroines trumps the relatively small number of them compared to the males, in my opinion. No doubt there are plenty of other girls in Prydain, but that wasn't the story he was telling, and...that's what fan fiction is for.
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Thank you for the notice. Yes, now that you mention it, there were plenty of good female characters in the Prydain books. The Morva witches were funny and interesting, the way they interacted with each other. I like the supporting females, and now that it's the 21st century, I just want you to know that I create many female fictional characters for my original series. It's just that male-centric cultures seem so archaic and old-fashioned, nothing personal to my own gender.
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Well, I agree with that point! 
But I get ya. Modern fiction is much better at spreading the love around than even that which is only half a decade old or so. Even Tolkein was miserable at it.
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Yes, of course. Tolkien had like few females in his Middle-earth books, some of which included Eowyn and Arwen, but both were pretty good female roles. I just loved it when Eowyn faced down the Witch-king.
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Eowyn and Galadriel were excellent, but Arwen did nothing of interest. I shouldn't be too hard on Tolkein, though. He was writing in the same paradigm as Alexander.
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Oh, of course. Thank you for your insight.
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Greetings and well met, fellow Prydainian
I immediately recognized all of the characters, which, considering that it has been over a decade since I have read any of the books, and my own VERY different mental image of the bard (whose name escapes me), is quite a testament to your artistic interpretation.
I care not what others think, your depiction of a dog-like Gurgi is genius.
I seem to recall some comment about him bearing the distressing odor of a wet wolfhound...?
Also, the attitude conveyed not only by Eilonwy's face, but also by her posture, is something that is missed by most artists.
And I love the grumpy demeanor found in Doli's frown and crossed arms.
with much admiration and respect,
the Clown Prince
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Well met, indeed.
But for shame for letting the books languish for so long. I reread mine every year (or, well, two years or so, now that I have family obligations that make pleasure-reading a rare treat...I look forward to a few years hence when my boys will be old enough to introduce to Prydain).
Yes, the wet wolfhound odor was a detail I thought relevant - as was my reading somewhere along the line that the word "Gurgi" sounds vaguely like the Welsh for "man-dog". Clever, sneaky Lloyd. But really, all these monkey-like depictions of him are terribly incongruous, there being no simian-type creatures in Britain.
Eilonwy is a great favorite of mine. I am always thrilled when viewers feel I have depicted her accurately.
Doli is probably my least favorite, but I am pleased with the way he came out here as well.
Thank you for your delicious comments. It is a lovely way to begin my day. I do hope you perused the rest of my Prydain art while you were here; finding new fans always makes me want to return to it. Alas that I have not the time currently!
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Doli would be awesome if played by Peter Dinklage
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Alas! that I have not been able to read them for so long. I have never had the privilege of owning the series, and have not had the time to track them down at the local library. I first found them at a library in northern California at age nine (I am now twenty-three, and I currently reside elsewhere, many long miles from there). Would that I could reread them so often as you!
I warms my heart to hear that you intend to raise your wee bairns on the Chronicles of Prydain.
wishing you all the best,
the Clown Prince
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I love Doli and Gurgi here, well done! I would buy that box set!
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Perfect! Hen in the foreground, LOL. She's the true star. You have an interesting take on Gurgi, was he inspired be anything?
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My dog. 
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Another Prydain Chronicles fan here. I read it to my kids when they were younger, and now my daughter has just re-read the series.
I LOVE this picture! All the characters look great! It should definitely be used as the cover art for a boxed set! (I agree with whoever said that Gurgi needs to be a bit shaggier, though. But that's not a criticism. Just a comment on how I picture him.)
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I wish I had a daughter to read them with.
I do have two boys and look forward to sharing it with them. But I did want a little girl to be my Eilonwy, running around with a sword.
Thanks for commenting! I'm always thrilled when another fan of the books finds me. Hope you stick around.
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This is so perfect! I love Eilonwy's sass. Absolutely gorgeous!
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i really like taran in this! man, the whole thing flows together so well.
consider this a job well done!
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thanks! I need to put up the finished version, but I don't want to lose all these cool comments!
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Wow, this is absolutely amazing... and for a box-set, that is awesome! I think you captured each character extremely well, and I love the poses, colors, and little details that just complete the piece so nicely.
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Gorgeous artwork and very fitting for a boxed set cover of the Chronicles. 
Its always a treat to see new Prydain stuff from you...bring on side 2! Perhaps you could draw some of the lesser known or secondary characters on it? e.g Prince Ellidyr, King Smoit, Achren (just to name a few).
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Where can I find a guy like that?
This is great, I can't wait to see the other sides and like how you drew Gurgi.
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I LOVE your Elionwy, that is precisely how I always envision her. So many other artists seem to miss the mischief, the strength of character, and the out right sass that should shine in her face and posture. You got it down perfectly. That makes me EVER so happy. Yeah!
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Yay, another Eilonwy fan, or at least someone who /gets/ her. I don't think I've seen you before...welcome! Hope you stick around.
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Thanks! I plan to.
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SO how i imagine all the characters to look like (for the most part)!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!
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Oh, good. Can't please everybody in that aspect, but it's nice to get close!
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Awesome work! I love your Chronicles of Prydain art so much. I think Gurgi should be fluffier (or shaggier) tho.
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