While in this time of the year the Winter Solstice is being celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere
(with pre-christian traditions such as the Germanic Yule, the Slavic Korochun and Kolyada, the Roman Brumalia and Saturnalia, and the later Sol Invictus, that's arguably the origin of "Christmas" popularity; In North America, the Zunis also celebrate the Shálako during December), here, in the Southern Hemisphere, it's time for the Summer Solstice, when the quechua peoples celebrate the Capac Raymi.
(with pre-christian traditions such as the Germanic Yule, the Slavic Korochun and Kolyada, the Roman Brumalia and Saturnalia, and the later Sol Invictus, that's arguably the origin of "Christmas" popularity; In North America, the Zunis also celebrate the Shálako during December), here, in the Southern Hemisphere, it's time for the Summer Solstice, when the quechua peoples celebrate the Capac Raymi.
This illustration is particularly inspired by the Slavic traditional celebration to Kupala, during the Summer Solstice of the Northern Hemisphere. This celebration, known as "Kupala Night" is held in the night of 6/7 July in the Gregorian Calendar, and draws direct inspiration from pre-christian rites related to fertility.
The characters featured in this illustration are major characters from some story arcs of my current story project, called IXIPTLA ("impersonator" in the nahuatl language). The main character's outfit and the statues on the background are perhaps the only expression of the Slavic Summer Solstice ritual here, though the other characters - including my own sinister rendition of Baphomet, or rather Akerbeltz (a pre-christian Basque deity) - play their own roles.
I produced both "Day" and "Night" versions for this art
Plus a short "timelapse" video showing the transition from night to day, and day to night
Some of these characters are featured in more of my works. This illustration is based in a sketch which I began producing during October, when I took part in the "INKtober Challenge"
On the left, some of the "Black Knights", as they were centuries before, in medieval times.
On the right, their nemesis, a necromancer
This series of illustrations depict scenes and characters from IXIPTLA's fourth major chapter, currently titled "ARMAGEDDON". The protagonist, "Cuetzpalin Paynal" ("Fast Lizard" in nahuatl) is the transformed version of the long haired boy from the previous illustrations.
All of the illustrations featured here are digital paintings which I've worked over lineart sketches that I previously produced with ink in my sketchbook.
Thanks for your appreciation!
Follow my work on:
Facebook | Instagram | Deviantart
Facebook | Instagram | Deviantart
