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The Neck
Published: 2009-08-08 13:49:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 25619; Favourites: 1192; Downloads: 0
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Description
The Neck or "Näcken" in Swedish.Edit: Closeup here [link]
The background story: The Neck, Näcken is a male water spirits who played enchanted songs on the violin, luring women and children to drown in lakes or streams. In some legends he plays totally naked and in others he wears more or less elegant clothes. He is a shapeshifter, but almost always described as very attractive.
If you brought the neck a treat of three drops of blood, a black animal, some brännvin (Scandinavian vodka) or snus (wet snuff) dropped into the water, he would teach you his enchanting form of music.
He was thought to be most active during Midsummer’s Night, on Christmas Eve and on Thursdays.
Credit:I used a gorgeous stock photo from nobledeath-stock [link] as reference for the neck.
Photoshop CS2+wacom graphire 4 tablet, worked off/on for a week.
Copyright © Maria Friberg Berntsson. You may not use my art in any way without my written consent. Please, feel free to contact me, either here by note or via my site Huldra Art
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Comments: 157
oh darling it moves me 2 tears! YOu've really captured how much of a genius he is rendring it thru a fantastical quality. Almost enough to make me write again! thank u so much~!
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Hi, Love your work - this has been featured here [link] ! Have a wonderful day!
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Hello, I am a student on an online high school class on Folklore and Literature: Myths, Magic and Rituals for The Virtual High School ([link] ). I was asked to find a picture to get more people interested into Folklore. I believe that this picture symbolizes what Folklore is and how it relates to the paranormal. I will cite where the image is from. May I ask for permission to link this image?
Thank you!
d3arlylov3d
Folklore VHS Class
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Your amazing work has been FAVED by TheMaleSoul - showcasing and promoting Male Beauty in Art
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This amazing piece has been included in Daily Deviation Suggestions for July 2010 - a collection of deviations I suggested to be featured as daily deviations. I want to say that your work has deeply touched me so I hope you will also like the feature and perhaps leave me a comment. Thank you for sharing your glorious work with us!
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I don't know what to say, it's just so wonderfull....Wow!
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so a neck is something like a kelpie then??
Very interesting lore and even more interesting picture. Nice.
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pretty detailed, i like the background but the fabeo is a turn off, unless the OC can get a rollarcoaster with some dead birds on that elvean guys face.
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This is amazing
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This is an exiting folktale to bring to life, and it was done so beautifully!
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Everthing about this picture is flawless
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hmm reminds me of a male version of the german Nixie[ who were female like sirens]
lovely lovely picture
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just woooooooooooooooooooooow
really really wooooow
great work
love it so much
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Amazing! I thought it was a reversed Siren image but this legend sounds interesting.
The water and skin are especially gorgeous!
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I have heard of this NECK in a Fairy book, I like how you brought this into a close realistic view.
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Wonderfully done. Also the myth is very interesting and you interpreted it to perfection.
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Love the pastell-like feel of the colours and also the background story. Beautiful pix are ... beautiful, but it's just so much better when there's a thought or an inspiration behind it.
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enigmatique j'aimerai avoir plus d'explication sur cette oeuvre ! si c comme je le pense alors c très beau
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Wowie Zowie this is gorgeous! He is one handsome fellow! I love how you included the lore! Thanks for posting this! It's really lovely!
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Lovely - better keep some vodka or snus on hand, as I suspect he'll come looking for the person that captured his soul.
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Wahh, this is beautiful! I'm very glad you provided some background information about the Neck because I had never heard of them before. Your description kind of reminds me of the Celtic Kelpies.
Anyway, fantastic job with this painting! I love the water lilies and the child's hand reaching out of the water gives it an eerie quality. By contrast, the Neck looks so calm. I love the detail you gave his hair, and the eye is also very beautiful. Wonderful job!
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Very beautiful. It's nice to know there is a male counter part to the legend of the siren.
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Congratulations on your DD, sussi! So much deserved! Love this image and also the close-up!
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Gorgeous work! The mythological insight is fascinating!
Midsummer's night, Christmas eve, and Thursdays...that's my kind of a schedule!
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I'm vaguely familiar with the legend of Näcken (or "Näkki" as we call it) since I'm from Finland, but some of the stuff you describe was new to me. Beautiful piece, very haunting.
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Congratulations on the DD Maria! 
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This is beautiful!
The story is slightly different here in Norway, that he lures sailors (the reason they get lost on sea). But I guess that's how all legends are, changing from place to place. Either way, such a great picture, I love his looks!
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