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SirInkman — WispTale Manor

#architecture #birdseye #building #dragon #fairytale #fantasy #handdrawn #illustration #inkman #pencil #perspective #structure #wyrm #jedward #johnstevenson #sirinkman #nightswane #wisptale
Published: 2017-09-27 13:12:23 +0000 UTC; Views: 5279; Favourites: 204; Downloads: 0
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Description pencil on Neenah paper, scanned and tweaked digitally in PS

This is an odd piece. It is at once old and new. It is a total redraw of an older piece done back in 2007 but contains much that is new. It came about because I missed posting on Monday because I wanted to show something that wasn't done yet. So, why not start a whole new piece. Sure.

And then it began to take on a new life and connection to the other new piece, which is a map of the Nightswane region. That map is already drawn and scanned but I'm not sure how I am going to render it. It might have a nice old antique version and then a color version. Of course, so might this one. A color version of WispTale Manor might be nice.

Anyways, here's a bit of backstory that goes along with the House. Enjoy.

WispTale Manor

In the rugged land north of the old ruined city of Heve lies a rolling valley on the very fingertip of enchantment. The Volnarnd, or Vale of Smoke, rests in the mountains on the edge of Gorse. Not yet a part of the Shadow Vale, it does bare traces of that twilight energy.

Down at the mouth of the vale sits the lively town of Ninigrag, on the serpentine, wandering river Hvuln. Known for full bodied brews and spicy concoctions, Ninigrag is a mellow town, even for all its lively and boisterous activity.

If you take the forest road north out of town, you will eventually pass the one-time estate of Thurlis Marn who was, of old, a lord of Gorse but who died of grave injuries incurred on a hunt long ago. The object of that hunt was never spied or caught, save for Lord Marn himself, though it is believed to be the source of Marn's fatal injuries.

Thurlis, having no wife and as such no legitimate progeny, had no heir apparent to take over the grand estate and so it fell to delinquency and disrepair for a time.

Then one crisp cool day that all changed.

The home was claimed and repairs begun. None had seen the Manor's new Lord nor was aught known but scanty whispers, half-heard and ill-informed, if not, indeed, ill-conceived. The new Lord was not one for public scrutiny and lived a splendid and reclusive life within the arms of the Manor's reach.

The name, as well, changed, though it was not spoken to the public at large and was long a mystery known only to the grass and wind. Yet, on a legal scroll in the basement archives of the Town Hall under lock and key held by the Shreve of Ninigrag is scrawled the lawful name of WispTale Manor, the Autumn Wyrm's House of Smoke and rightful home of Szilhnar of Nightswane.

Look out for the map of Nightswane, coming soon. Possibly next week.

Other bits....
         
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Comments: 37

bhallak [2018-05-22 20:26:52 +0000 UTC]

Awesome details

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SirInkman In reply to bhallak [2018-05-23 01:22:38 +0000 UTC]

Thanks bhallak

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ERASERHEAD0 [2018-05-19 09:10:29 +0000 UTC]

Cozy

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SirInkman In reply to ERASERHEAD0 [2018-05-19 18:13:33 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Tvo
I suspect there would be some really cozy rooms in there.

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ERASERHEAD0 In reply to SirInkman [2018-05-19 20:39:45 +0000 UTC]

Fair maid and mead?....fire?

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SirInkman In reply to ERASERHEAD0 [2018-05-19 23:26:47 +0000 UTC]

Maids and mead... there's a good chance of that.

Fire... absolutely.

It is, after all, the Autumn Wyrm's House of Smoke

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ERASERHEAD0 In reply to SirInkman [2018-05-20 18:47:31 +0000 UTC]

Cozy indeed

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Bettererodite [2017-09-30 04:46:11 +0000 UTC]

The use of the dark shade on the center adds a bit more depth to the picture, with the rest of the buildings as the older part of the mansion.  The title is appropriate with all those chimneys puffing away.  Marvelous work.  Thanks for sharing.

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chashio In reply to Bettererodite [2017-10-06 18:19:18 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful! And I love how much character the smoke has I'm seeing faces in it, hehe.
And chance you will map this house or estate later? It's one of those that has such lovely feeling that I want to explore it and stay awhile. Maybe read a good book by one of the fireplaces. 

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SirInkman In reply to chashio [2017-10-17 04:17:58 +0000 UTC]


Reading might be tough with all that smoke

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chashio In reply to SirInkman [2017-10-17 16:17:22 +0000 UTC]

haha

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SirInkman In reply to Bettererodite [2017-10-02 23:40:32 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much Sirius

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T-A-Sorsby [2017-09-28 10:02:39 +0000 UTC]

Well that's just bloody lovely. Would definitely be keen on writing a locked-in murder-mystery for a party to solve in a place like that. Maybe even a good intro session...
*Adds to Watchlist*

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SirInkman In reply to T-A-Sorsby [2017-09-28 12:48:43 +0000 UTC]

Thanks TA
Yeah, this is a big house and would have a lot of rooms for such a mystery.
And then there are some peripheral buildings on the property that might be accessible by cellars or secret passage ways.

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FrancescaBaerald [2017-09-28 07:32:10 +0000 UTC]

It's incredibly beautiful! I especially like how you have managed to to enhance the perspective with lighter and darker ink.
Other people have already said it, but the smoke is fantastic!

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SirInkman In reply to FrancescaBaerald [2017-09-28 12:45:08 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Francesca
I may do a color version, which will be fun.
I am glad the people are enjoying the smoke.
I wasn't sure about the smoke at first.

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Fairy-Slayer [2017-09-28 04:50:24 +0000 UTC]

That's quite an impressive history, plus a neat bit of intrigue woven into the tale. The repairs came along beautifully, though I'm sure most of the architectural charm is from the original mansion. It's a shame there aren't more visitors, even workers, to appreciate the full-on beauty of the place. Fantastic… well, downright amazing pencil work getting in so much gorgeous bits of detail while making sure the building stands out as a whole too.


While the landscape out front is a bit sparse it seems that it has some nice forests for privacy in back. Also, it's pretty magical how the smoke from all of the chimneys is being caught in a horizontal breeze to square out the scene. I can't quite figure out the "vine" on the left that comes up from the roof to meet the smoke's left elbow, but no matter. Beautiful work on the title banner too. Thanks for sharing.

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SirInkman In reply to Fairy-Slayer [2017-09-28 12:36:13 +0000 UTC]

Thank you FS
Yeah, I really do need to get some life into my work.
Even a few birds would help.
Though, Szilhnar is pretty solitary, so not a surprise.

Do you have any suggestions for what you might have added to the landscape in front?
The bit of vine/leaf stuff was just a nod to autumn leaves drifting on the breeze, but obviously didn't convey well.

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Fairy-Slayer In reply to SirInkman [2017-09-29 19:02:37 +0000 UTC]

The open space in front is just fine, and I'm sorry if it sounded like I meant otherwise. Actually, it feels like this is where it opens up beyond a grove or small forest that surrounds the manor (giving it additional privacy). The autumn feelings comes through in the state of the grass and all of the chimneys going, so it's not surprising that most of the birds wouldn't be hanging around.

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Elemtos [2017-09-28 00:50:42 +0000 UTC]

Pretty cool, wow it's amazing It's very detailed. 

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SirInkman In reply to Elemtos [2017-09-28 12:32:28 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Elemtos

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Elemtos In reply to SirInkman [2017-09-30 02:49:13 +0000 UTC]

np it truly is  really nice    

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Xxchibigirl22xX [2017-09-27 22:12:39 +0000 UTC]

This is beautiful!

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SirInkman In reply to Xxchibigirl22xX [2017-09-28 12:31:52 +0000 UTC]

Thanks chibigirl

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Xxchibigirl22xX In reply to SirInkman [2017-09-28 13:52:32 +0000 UTC]

No problem at all

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Thomas-Rey [2017-09-27 17:56:28 +0000 UTC]

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SirInkman In reply to Thomas-Rey [2017-09-28 12:31:20 +0000 UTC]

Merci Thomas

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Woodgnome01 [2017-09-27 17:53:29 +0000 UTC]

Really nice building. Lots of lovely detail and I like how you've done the smoke coming from the chimneys.

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SirInkman In reply to Woodgnome01 [2017-09-28 12:30:50 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Paul
I'm glad the smoke is being enjoyed.

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Planetrix [2017-09-27 15:23:54 +0000 UTC]

Another lovely building.  I prefer the Dragon's Roost for its looks, but the story behind this one is really good, and the seeds for adventure are there. 

I wonder what the smell of the place would be.  Is all the smoke coming from the dragon, I wonder, or are there indeed seven different fires in seven different hearths, with each chimney giving off a distinct aroma?  Even if the smoke is from the dragon, it would probably have a drastically different character if the dragon was good (old, spicy, pleasant) or bad (foul, choking, hints of brimstone).

Anyway, excuse the ramblings XD  Nice work!

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SirInkman In reply to Planetrix [2017-09-28 12:30:21 +0000 UTC]

That is a good question....
I would answer that, but then the mystery of it is gone.
Ok, since you asked...   Probably seven or more different hearth fires.
But, it likely smokes all the time, even without the hearth fires.
Szilhnar is a smoky character.
I'm sort of leaning toward the Old Spice variety nice and earthy and woodsy and pleasant with a touch of spice.
The Autumn Wyrm is not malicious. Just has a low tolerance for being hunted by townsfolk, wealthy ones no less.

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Planetrix In reply to SirInkman [2017-09-28 12:58:03 +0000 UTC]

Nice!

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Chibivi-Linearts [2017-09-27 14:34:45 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful! So many lovely details!

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SirInkman In reply to Chibivi-Linearts [2017-09-27 14:52:57 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Chibivi

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BalloonPrincess [2017-09-27 13:29:33 +0000 UTC]

Awesome work.  Love how well this turned out.  

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SirInkman In reply to BalloonPrincess [2017-09-27 13:32:28 +0000 UTC]

Thanks BP
I was initially a bit worried as the smoke looked really overwhelming.
Then i erased a bit and did some of the curly q's and swirls and realized I liked it.
I did a bit more to it after that and was really happy with it.

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BalloonPrincess In reply to SirInkman [2017-09-27 13:35:31 +0000 UTC]

**Giggles!**

My pleasure.  

Doing the smoke like that sure did make the picture better, true enough.  

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