SF&F Picture 33 out of 55 by Linette J. L. Withers.

SciFi and Fantasy Art: The Kelpie

This was drawn for my sisters final year computing design project for which she chose Swedish folk tales as her theme. This is the kelpie in Scotland, though in some stories in Sweden he is said to be a different version of näcken, the naked fiddler. He wanders around rivers and seashores peacefully grazing, his back stretching to accomodate as many people as get on. Once upon his back the only way to get off would be to shout his nickname 3 times. Otherwise he would ride into the water and drown you. He is said to be indistinguishable from a normal white horse until he opens his mouth to reveal his carnivorous teeth. He also has a cave littered with human remains to call his own. Charming character. Here I was showing how normal he could look until you looked closer. I also tried to capture a watery feel in his mane. All I can say is, he scares me.


	Categories: [Head or Facial Study] [Mythical Creatures & Assorted Monsters] Techniques: [Mechanical/Technical Pencils]

Date	Name	Comment
8 Sep 2005	C. 'GalopaWXY' de Rougemont	Loading... very good angle managment oO wow !
8 Sep 2005	Sara Matsdotter Östh	Loading... Good job, says the Swede =) I'd never heard about the carnivorous teeth, and I thought the best ways to get of would be to cross oneself or mention God in one way or the other - however, both things seem plausible, and I don't know all the stories. I like the rendering of the Kelpie, though; all so innocent and pretty (both in horse and human form...ahem!), until you get just close enough not to get away that easily. thumb up Linette J. L. Withers replies: "Well, until we started the research, I hadn't heard about the teeth either, or the caves of bones. There seems to be quite a difference between stories from Norrland and stories further south. The calling to God is also mentioned in some of the sources we found, I suppose it depends on whether the authors of the tales linked him to the devil or not. When I was little I always liked the idea that he hated his nickname because I could sympathise with that at the time. Apologies for the longwinded answer."
8 Sep 2005	Monique 'Sekhem Akasha'van der Veen	Loading... He looks great!!
8 Sep 2005	Stephanie M. Riley	Loading... Heehee! I love the way you did the horse's lips...the angle and are amazing. Of course, those fangs make him a little more intimidating...
8 Sep 2005	Carmandil	Loading... I must admit this kelpie frightens me as well. A good portrayal of the carnivorous nature of this creature. What would be its nickname in case I ever come across them? shudders Linette J. L. Withers replies: "As I understand it Näcken is his nickname, don't know what that would make his real name though."
8 Sep 2005	Anon-o-moose	Loading... Amazing job with this angle, that's a toughie and you pulled it off well. I like it a lot, great pic!! Linette J. L. Withers replies: "Well, I had help from a reference photo my sister took. The horse just had the perfect pose."
8 Sep 2005	Alexa 'Kuraime' Kroese	Loading... When I looked at the thumbmail I said like "a normal horse?? This should be a fantasy pic!". You were right! You can't say the difference between a normal horse and a kelpie from far away loll! I really love that eye and that watery feeling in his hair! wants to pet the kelpie but she looks at those sharp teeth and backs off a bit TWO THUMBS UP!! Linette J. L. Withers replies: "I'm so pleased, that was just the effect I was going for."
11 Nov 2005	Sofia	Loading... A normal horse, scroll down and... just look. It is so butiful and so powerful! Linette J. L. Withers replies: "Thank you "
13 May 2008	Catherine Brodie	Loading... Woahh..... LOVE IT!!!

Not signed in, Add an anonymous comment to this guestbook...

Your Name: Your Mail:

Private message? (Info)

Do a search for similar items! (Regarding theme, technique and inspirations)

All material posted at Elfwood is covered by the Elfwood Rules. If this page break any rule(s), help us out, and report it to the ERB by clicking here!

'The Kelpie'

SciFi and Fantasy Art: The Kelpie