Werewolf Fantasy Art
From LoveToKnow Sci-Fi
Werewolves have intrigued us for many centuries; integrating the myth and legend into popular culture making werewolf fantasy art increasingly popular.
What are Werewolves
Nearly every culture on the planet, in one form or another, has a myth about a man that can turn into a grisly beast – the Werewolf. Popular folklore tells us that werewolves are people that have been infected with a disease, lycanus, imbuing their blood with lycanthropy allowing these “Lycanthropes” to shapeshift between man and wolf during the day before, of and after the full moon.
Writings about werewolves existed date back to the middle and dark ages. Popular fantasy exploded with references in short stories and movies in the twentieth century. The full moon, interacting with the tides on Earth, is thought to have an effect on humans since we are made up of 75% water. It seems we act a bit more animalistic during this phase of the moon. This is where terms “lunacy” and “lunatic” are derived from - the word “lunar”; or cycle of the moon.
What is Considered Fantasy Art
Fine art is thought of being on canvas and paint as well as using other mediums like buttons, screws, bolt, shards of glass and milk cartons. Fine art is either something easily understood that resembles something or not always definable. Other mediums, like tattooing, are beginning to gain ground in the world of fine art. Fantasy art is something a bit different and can be considered fine art in the right context but is typically computer rendered or is refreshed canvas work with filters being applied. Fantasy denotes the unreal and most likely the nonexistent like vampires, werewolves or hobbits and any type of unreal place or entity.
Werewolf Fantasy Art
When it comes down to werewolf fantasy art there can be a great variety how an artist may depict the werewolf. Each culture has a slightly different visual idea of what a werewolf is and can range from the Wendigo to a sort of “Dog Man”. Movies and popular literature influence how we view and create werewolf art.
X-Files and Supernatural: A creature known as the Wendigo has been the basis of episodes on these two series. A Wendigo comes from the folklore of the Algonquian Indians and is a creature that used to be a man. It is tall and slender with wolf-like features and cannibalistic tendencies.
The Wolf Man and Monster Squad: Wolf Man is the 1941 Universal classic starring Lon Chaney, Jr. in the title role and is undoubtedly the most recognizable werewolf in any medium. This style of werewolf combines the ability to stand upright of a man with some reasoning intact with the features of a wolf.
Wolf and An American Werewolf in London: A larger than life wolf that is highly intelligent and vicious that hunts with perfection.
Underworld: The Lycans in Underworld can change at will and retain some of their abilities while still in human form as well as walk on two feet or run on all fours.
The Art Itself and the Artists
Any of the above instances have been seen in werewolf fantasy art and make for great reference points for any artist with werewolves on the brain and the ability to make awesome fantasy paintings, drawings or computer designs.
Francesca Resta
- Night’s Creatures: This portrait features a Vampire and Werewolf along the lines of Lon Chaney’s.
Santos Garijo
- THE PACK: This is a very dark piece depicting a pack of werewolves.
- Close Encounter: A werewolf gets the upper paw against a vicious vamp.
- Gothic Full Moon: A gothic castle looms overhead while a rather large werewolf sits howling at the moon.
Peter Scanlan
- Hungry: Here we have the struggle between man and beast.
Gorin Josic
- Wolfen: A very interesting conceptual piece featuring a werewolf as a warrior carrying a mighty big blade.
Stefany Belisle
- Here There be Demons: A mist-filled forest and a werewolf ready to hunt.
Nicole Dornsife
- Werewolf Battle: Not all werewolves see eye to eye and the alpha male must be determined in a fight to the death.
Ansley McDaniel
- Rabid: A snarling, upset werewolf chained and ready to kill.
Christy Grandjean
- October Moon: The werewolf gives praise to the full moon.
- I Eat You: A monstrous and ferocious werewolf in a feeding frenzy.
- Interrupted: Werewolves in a pack feasting have been disturbed in the middle of their meal.
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