As I mentioned previously, I am entering an illustration competition set up by the University of Gloucestershire. They do it every year and each year a different theme is set. For this year’s theme, it is called Tree Time Tales. When I first heard it, I was perplexed as to what to do, as it needed to obviously portray trees in some way. It took me a while to think of an idea, then suddenly it popped into my head: tree spirits.
I looked into it with intense research, and found very interesting information. When I came across the Japanese folklore of tree spirits, that’s what intrigued me the most. The trees that inhabit these spirits, a kodama, are surrounded by a rice straw rope called a shimenawa. The shimenawa is to help identify these trees and are forbidden to be cut down. If they are, however, misfortune will be brought upon those who inflicted such actions.
I portrayed this as a storyboard that only illustrates what is going on, so no words were included. I did it on A4 paper, finelined it and used colouring pencils for the overall outcome.
I’m going to send it off sometime next week, but won’t hear any news if I win (which I doubt) or if my picture gets published in their annual illustration book until September. Even if I don’t win, I’m not gonna mope over it, I’m just glad I tried it out as I’ve never done something like this before, so it’s quite an interesting experience if I say so myself.
Anyways, here it is, Tales of the Misfortunate:
The Fox Blog 
Your storyboard is lovely– and I have a pretty good idea of what happened to those two naughty people who cut down the tree!!
I also liked your plush toy and logo design, and I had a great time looking thru your blog posts. You’re extremely creative.
Good luck in the illo competition, and keep up the great work! : )
Oh wow! Thank you so much ^_^
I’m really glad you like them. They were all very enjoyable assignments/spare time activities done in such a short space of time. It’s great to see my blog has brought some form of enjoyment to you : )