Scarecrow Project

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B1 Course

Golgrim's Keys

WebQuest

Arts & Crafts

Ethics

Literature

WebQuest 1 WebQuest 2 WebQuest 3

1. Introduction

What are the roots of fantasy art? What are the typical themes and styles used for illustrations of the fantastic? In this WebQuest, you will be given information about different trends in fantasy art over the last 150 years. Then you will be asked to compare certain aspects of it with the artwork made by Anke Eissmann for the fantasy trilogy The Scarecrow and the Storms. Good luck!

2. Online resources

19th century art:

Hudson River School
-General information
-Example: Albert Bierstadt

The Pre-raphaelite Brotherhood:
-General information
-Example: Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones

Romantic Landscape Painting
-General information
-Example: Caspar David Friedrich

Early 20th century fantasy art:

Book illustrators:
-John Bauer
-Kay Nielsen

Late 20th century fantasy art:

-John Howe
-Alan Lee
-Anke Eissmann
-Ted Nasmith

3. Assignment

Part 1

Answer the following three general questions:

1. Can you find any art from the 19th century that is similar to the works of modern fantasy artists? Give two examples and explain the similarities with reference to technique, style, settings, moods, and themes.

2. What modern fantasy illustrators are closest in style, theme, mood and composition to the illustrations of Anke Eissmann related to the work of J.R.R Tolkien? Give examples and explain why you think they are similar.

Portada: Libro de Aventuras

3. Compare this picture by Anke Eissmann (cover for Book of Adventure) with "A Song in the Trollshaws", by Ted Nasmith. Analyse the differences in style, tone, setting, composition and use of colour. What makes the two illustrations so different in mood?

Part 2

1. Look at the following three pictures and read the texts that accompany each of them, taken from the novel Golgrim's Keys. Choose one and draw/colour an alternative version. Motivate your changes in style, tone, mood and technique with reference to the text.

Text 1

"Look!" he shouted, holding up a glimmering blue gem that he'd pried out from the dragon's breastplate. "Not bad, huh?"

It was when my cousin showed me that stone that I decided not to ever kill a dragon or any other living creature again. From then on, I didn't want to be a Hero anymore. And I didn't even feel ashamed of it, though it had been the profession of the men in my family since the time of my great grandfather's great grandfather, and I, too, was expected to devote myself to the business in due time. I didn't say anything about it to my cousin, though, because at that moment he pulled out his knife from his elbow strap and handed it to me. I only needed a brief look to see that it was his First Knife, given to him by my father on his thirteenth birthday. And the thing with First Knives is that you don't just give them away to anyone unless you have a very strong reason. Actually, the only time a Hero will consider doing it is when he feels that the person he's giving it to means a lot to him in his life or heroic career, and even if I didn't want to have anything to do with Heroes any more, I just couldn't refuse to accept it. There was nothing fancy about it or anything, but it was my cousin's First, and he had given it to me. It was as simple as that. So I took it and hooked it on to my own elbow strap. My cousin nodded approvingly, although the knife was too big for my thin arm and kept sliding down toward my wrist all the time.

Text 2

After a little while I heard the sound of heavy raindrops crackling among the leaves. Soon after, the lightning began to illuminate the sky over my head, followed by loud cracks of thunder. Right then, I suddenly noticed the smell of smoke. I also discovered that the ground was beginning to feel quite warm under my feet and a little bit farther on, the grass and the shrubs disappeared altogether. I'd reached a clearing burnt out by the Weedfielders for the staguffaloes. The staguffaloes themselves were on the other side of a rope enclosure, grazing on the new grass that was already sprouting among the ashes. Those staguffaloes were amazing. They were so big that I reckon I could have walked underneath them without even ducking. Not to mention their antlers... Some had twenty bits or more. Delirius had of course told me a few things about the staguffaloes, but seeing them in real life was completely different to just hearing about them. Their copper-coloured manes were incredibly long, almost reaching down to the ground. A whole lot of branches and twigs and flowers and many other things had got caught up in them, but the staguffaloes didn't seem to be the least bit bothered by it. They just stood there under the rain, peacefully grazing. I know I've already said it, but I have to say it again: they were amazing.

Text 3

Pancas looked about with a rueful smile, but then his eyes fell on the commander of the Heroes and he burst out into very loud and very offensive laughter. To tell you the truth, I didn't blame him. Poor Furewan, all sooty and covered in confetti, looked like some sort of fairground attraction, and even some of his men giggled when they saw him. Even before Furewan began to bellow about revenge Pancas realised that the mission had failed, and by the time the Heroes went for their weapons he'd already set off running with Wullter at his heels - straight toward our hiding place, of course. Before we could say as much as "ulp" they had stumbled past us, and then we had to get up and follow them.

4. Formal instructions

The assignment is divided into two parts. Answer the questions, print the result and hand it in to your teacher as one document.

The first page is the title page (see instructions on the Style Sheet, which you can download below). On the second sheet, answer the three questions from Part 1 of the Assignment section.

On the third sheet, you will show the original drawing (Part 2 of the Assignment) that you have chosen to change, together with the accompanying text from the novel. On the fourth sheet you will explain your motivations for changing the picture (download the style sheet below and follow the instructions). The fifth sheet will be made up by your own, finished illustration.

Download style sheet (PDF)

5. Contest

If you wish to take part in the drawing contest, scan your illustration and send it as a jpeg file to:
drawingcontest@proyectoespantapajaros.com
before May 1st, 2010. Don't forget to indicate your full name and the title of your illustration in the body of the message. The Jury's resolution will be made public on the Project's website, and the winners will be informed by email. The best drawing will be awarded 100 euros, while the 2nd best will receive 75 euros, and the 3rd 50 Euros. The winning illustrations will be published on the book's official website (with world-wide access).

WebQuest 2 will be available soon.

WebQuest 3 will be available soon.

WebQuests of Ethics will be available soon.

WebQuests of Literature will be available soon.