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windfalcon — The Golden Bird
Published: 2008-04-11 18:20:21 +0000 UTC; Views: 3689; Favourites: 74; Downloads: 182
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Description
This is an illustration based off the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, The Golden Bird.The tale tells of a king with three sons, who owns a tree that grows golden apples. He notices some missing apples, which turn out to be taken by a golden bird. The king sends his sons out to catch this bird, but only the youngest son heeds the advice of a wise fox, and finds the bird.
Unfortunately, he does not listen to the fox's advice in the following trials, nearly ending in disaster each time. Eventually, through the endless patience of the fox, he is able to take a beautiful princess, a golden horse, the golden bird, and return his father's apples.
A very, very abridged version of the tale, but it's enough to give you a feel of the story. This illustration is part of three. The first three were 'spot' illustration, and this is the full-detail story illustration. Here is seen the youngest son with the princess, riding away on the golden horse, with the golden apple boughs around them.
The spot illustrations can be found here: [link]
Holbein ink on clayboard, 9X12 inches.
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Comments: 28
It sounds very similar to a book by Mercedes Lackey. Love that book.
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Oh this is a favourite story of mine! I love the idea of the tasks and the cleverness of the fox and the constant variation between versions; do the brothers die? eaten by the wolf? do they kill the main character so he can be resurcted by a wolf or fox? is the fox realy the brother of the princess under a spell? so much fun; this illistration really shows how the story is supposed to end, i love it.
I especialy love the apples for some reason; they stand out as the perfect frame for the hero and his golden horse.
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I loved how the fox CONSTANTLY came back to help the boy even though he KEPT DISOBEYING. That was one patient fox. 
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Have you read the version where the fox helps the boy because the fox is really the enchanted brother of the princess the boy marries? At the end of the story the fox beggs the boy to cut off his head and feet and the boy eventualy does and the fox becomes a prince. But there are many different versions. My favourite character is most definitly the patient helpful fox.
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Thanks! This is actually on Clayboard.
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Really? (I have no idea what that is...). I usually just work on bristol board.
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Clayboard is a white kaolin clay covered piece of masonite. If you've ever used scratchboard, it's essentially the same thing, except it's not covered with a layer of black. You can put ink on clayboard, and then scratch it away to expose the white clay underneath.
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Wow, okay. Thanks for the explanation. I may have to see if my art store carries it so I can try it out myself.
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The company that makes it is called Ampersand and they spell it "Claybord." I think most specialty art stories carry it.
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Okay, thanks for the tips! PS. Your bird artworks are beautiful.
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Fantastic shading and detail. Sounds like quite an interesting story.
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Amazing! It made me want to go read the story.
(I did)
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I've read a Very Large Book full of stories that the brothers Grimm had collectet, but I can't remember this story.
Anyway, great pic (as always). It really makes me feel this belongs in a fairytalebook.
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Great illustration, with plenty of fantasy elements and a nice feel. It definitely matches the fairy tale you've outlined.
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That horse looks awesome! Such wonderful detail!
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Woah Tail and Mane hair explosion! though I like how the tail is turning into an apple tree
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Artistic license?
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Artistic license the bane of my existance I say! 
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