Illustrating Westeros: ASOIAF Artists Speak VII

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A budding new talent in the realm of ASOIAF fanart, the gothic style of IrenHorrors brings a delightfully macabre sensibility to familiar scenes and characters. Citing the inspiration of greats like Tim Burton and Arthur Rackham, the artist is well on the way to establishing an enthusiastic following all of her own. 



Melisandre by IrenHorrors
 Daenerys Targaryen by IrenHorrors


Welcome to Illustrating Westeros, IrenHorrors. To begin, tell us how you became an artist, and the influences that have shaped your style.

 

Hello! I am honored to be invited! In my gallery there aren’t a lot of artworks related to the ASOIAF book series, so I am very pleased that you paid attention to me.

I am fond of painting and drawing since I can remember myself; at first I spent a lot of years in art school, then I entered the Moscow State University of Printing Arts and graduated from it this summer. But I seriously and thoroughly started painting free themes only about a year ago, and all of my work to this moment that you can see in my gallery was made during this period. The idea to become an illustrator arose when I first got acquainted with Tove Jansson and her glorious Moomintroll, and ever since I’ve wanted to make an author’s book, where the text and illustrations would be my creations. The style, in which I work recently, was inspired by several artists: Abigail Larson, Kmye Chan, Gris Grimly, Līga Kļaviņa, Anna Ignatieva, Virginia Mori, Arthur Rackham, Alan Lee, Edmund Dulac, Chris Riddell, John Bauer, Kay Nielsen, Tony DiTerlizzi, Joseph Vargo. And, of course, I love the creativity of Tim Burton.

 

 

You are an outstanding illustrator of George R. R. Martin's works. When did you read the A Song of Ice and Fire books for the first time, and what was your initial impression?

 

I read all the books during the summer last year, so you could say that I'm a newcomer. At the time, all around me talked about the series Game of Thrones, and before I watched it, I decided to read the books. I could not tear myself away, it was an interesting and exciting story! Now I'm again going crazy waiting for the next part of the books. The world that Martin created is cruel and realistic, despite the fact that this is a fantasy novel. I really love things like that! It is very interesting to observe the development of characters, his artful design for the fate of each of them.

Who are some of your favourite characters in the series, and is there a scene that is particularly memorable to you?

 

Oh, there are so many of them! My favorite character is Tyrion Lannister, I would like to see him on the Iron Throne. Also, I like so many female characters that I even find it difficult to say which of them is my favorite one! It is much easier to say who I do not like: I always feel  reluctant to read the chapters about Sam, and even more did he annoy me in the TV series. The greatest inspiration I always find in scenes in which the female characters showed their strength, such as when Daenerys helped dragons to be born or when she was able to subdue Drogon. During the reading, I felt shivers down my spine. Like many others, I was struck by the scene of the Red Wedding. Oh God, why?!  Certainly, there were so many scenes that touched me a lot.

 

After HBO’s Game of Thrones came out, many readers’ inner pictures of characters and scenes have been replaced by actors and settings from the show. Can you tell us about your own mental images of the characters, and if this has been influenced by the show?

 

I think that the characters and the environment were perfectly chosen in the series, HBO has done an excellent job! In addition, while I was reading the books I already knew how most of the main characters in the series looked like to me. I imagine Daenerys a little differently; she is much younger than Emilia Clarke, and her hair is short.

       


You show an evident preference for depicting female characters in your paintings, particularly those associated with fire like Daenerys and Melisandre. What is it about these women and the roles they play in ASOIAF that you find compelling?

 

Female characters are my passion! I love strong women. Melisandre is an example for me to follow. Despite the fact that many people consider her an insane fanatic, I am of the opinion that she is a very wise, cunning woman; she has enormous power and successfully copes with her tasks. Daenerys is still very young, and her power over people and the dragons was greatly weakened by the end of the fifth book . . . but she has a clean, kind heart, and how she was able to overcome many of life's complexities speaks of her as a strong woman. I certainly do their portraits, and of other female characters, to reveal all of my favorite ASOIAF women.

In keeping with your largely female-centred focus, Stark Family: Ladies portrays the three women of House Stark: Sansa, Arya, and their mother Catelyn, along with the direwolves. How do you view these characters as represented in the text and what motivated you to create this heart-warming portrait of them?

Stark Family: Ladies by IrenHorrors

Of the variety of characters in Martin’s universe, House Stark will always hold a special place in my heart. Starks are the embodiment of family values, love and warmth, with the background of the beautiful nature of the North. In my dreams, I'll always connect all family members together. For me, House Stark is an example of ideal relationships, perhaps I would like to have a similar family too.

You have a characteristic art style that distinguishes you amongst ASOIAF artists. Do you foresee experimenting with new techniques and styles or prefer keeping to your established ones?

 

I found myself recently, so it’s difficult for me to say what will happen next. But I love what I do now, it fits my inner perceptions, and I hope at the same time to maintain my style and hone my skills, complicating the composition and working on the details and the anatomy of the characters. I would like to do more full illustrations, not just portraits of characters. If I work a lot, the progress will be evident.

Is there an ASOIAF artist whose work you admire? And/or a piece of ASOIAF art that you have as a personal favourite?

There are actually a huge number of them! It’s always difficult for me to choose a favorite from such a variety of delightful artwork. For example, I really like this particular work by Quirkilicious that has exquisite colors and perfect composition! I like the works by Dejan Delic for their stunning style and the variety of characters, I can spend hours looking at them. Also, another of my favorite artworks is The Lannister Family by Bubug, in my opinion it is a very witty, interesting and cool painting. I love this style!

 

Stormborn by Quirkilicious

Please, give us a link or thumbnail from your gallery of:

a) An ASOIAF illustration you are most proud of?

 

I am very proud of this work, it seems to me that I got a successful composition, and I like the colors.

b) A piece that was the hardest to draw or paint?


This was the most difficult task. As you can see, male characters are not my forte. But I'm working on it!

We know Martin has employed subverted fairy tale elements in the books, and looking at your wider gallery, we find that you love paintings of classic fairy tale scenes and characters which made us wonder if you would create an ASOIAF/fairy tale crossover piece, and what would you depict?

 

I always imagine Beauty and the Beast, which serve as Sansa Stark and Sandor Clegane! Someday I will draw a similar artwork. This story has always been one of my favorites. Also, I see a beautiful fairy tale based on the story of Bran Stark. In my opinion, this is one of the most mystical and fantasy storylines.

  

Is there a plotline, whether in the North, the Vale, King’s Landing or Essos that you're anxious to see resolved in the next book?

 

I'm terribly curious about what will happen next with Arya, Sansa, Daenerys and Tyrion! Though . . . perhaps I'm wondering more about the development of each storyline—what an incredible batch happened at the end of the fifth book! The storyline of House Greyjoy, for example, is very impressive.

 

And lastly, can the fandom expect more ASOIAF art from you in the future?

 

Yes, of course! It will undoubtedly be a lot of artwork, as I said before, I began making fan art pieces not so long ago. It can be also said that I have marked only the beginning of my collection of works based on the ASOIAF universe. I have big plans, and I hope I will have time for it.


Thank you for talking to us, IrenHorrors! You can see more of her art at: 

 irenhorrors.deviantart.com 




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Thanks for yet another insightful interview and providing exposure to such a talented artist. I especially love The Stark Family: Ladies.