Sir Lancelotby *Merystic

Fan Art / Digital Art / Painting & Airbrushing / Other

Last year I read "The Once and Future King" by T.H. White and LOVED it...I was pretty much the only one. Everyone else I knew that read it thought it was awful. Anyway, it's the story of King Arthur and his knights. I really liked Lancelot, so I drew him (and pretty much everyone else, but Lancelot was the only one that got inked).

In T.H. White's version, Lancelot had a deformed face. That's why I drew him a la Phantom of the Opera with a hideous, grotesque side...when I read it I pictured the other half to be gentle and normal. Anyway, you should read it if you haven't.

This was actually drawn and inked last year, but I only just got around to coloring it. I'm pretty pleased with the way it came out; it was largely an exercise in painting metal realistically and still trying to escape cursed muddy colors. And I loves Lancelot and the other knights.

~LaurasMuse Aug 2, 2008 Professional Traditional Artist

I am so pleased to see someone portray the Lancelot from The Once and Future King! White describes him as the most hideous man alive, "an African ape." But he is still loved by Guinevere and other ladies--which speaks wonders about his charisma! I wanted a visual aid of some sort, because I was always accustomed to handsome Lancelots. I definitely like the deformity you have here. But I'm hoping to find a piece in which someone goes all out and makes him as monstrous as White describes. Maybe I'll do one sometime! And lovely armor by the way.

*Merystic Aug 3, 2008

Thanks so much! It's great to hear from someone who has actually read the book.

This was actually done several years ago, maybe I too should take another crack at it, hehe. If you do one yourself I'd love to see it. Thanks again!

*CaliforniaClipper Aug 24, 2006 Hobbyist General Artist

Ah, so nice. He seems to exude confidence -- a low-key yet unmistakable "I can handle myself" certainty, which is not in the least marred by his physical imperfections. The way he's holding the sword, as though tapping it on the palm of his hand -- it's like a subtly assertive gesture.

Great armor and shinies -- a very interesting work of art.