Little Daylight

This project was a labor of love that I started back in October. It is a proposed page for the children's book "Little Daylight" by George McDonald, who was a mentor to C.S. Lewis. The story involves a princess named Daylight, who cursed by a witch to sleep during the day, awaking only at night. But not only that, but her health waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. She is healthy and energetic at the full moon, but sickly and in immense pain when the sky is black. In true fairy tale fashion, only true love's first kiss can break the spell.

The Prince, escaping from his own war-torn country into the enchanted forest where the Princess dances in the light of the full moon. The prince has heard stories of the forest being inhabited by all manner of creatures that lure men to their deaths, and believes that the princess may be some sort of sprite, and draws his sword in caution.

Done in Pen and Ink, looking at Franklin Booth and Arthur Rackham for inspiration. Russian Ballet was particular helpful for composing the Princess and her drapery dance. While it is quite an accomplishment for me in terms of detail and scale, it is rather busy, I'm planning on adding some color with Photoshop this summer.