Wishing you magical ideas and fairy tale visions!

Magical Midsummer to you!

The Päivätär (Sun Maiden) illustration above was created several years ago as a part of the collection of mythic midummer characters. And now during the midnight sun, it´s time for Päivätär to shine.

The Päivätär was designed together with the Midsummer Dryad, Naiad, Eve and Love Spell. Can you still remember those mythic characters from the previous blog posts? Together they are creating a series of mythic midsummer illustrations.

All these illustrations above were inspired by the Finnish mythology and mythical characters from the Finnish folklore. And of course the amazing Finnish wildflowers and midsummer magic were offering a lot of inspiration on the way.

Already years ago visions of the mythic midsummer characters started to develop in my sketchbook based on the old myths - and those ideas started then to transform into new illustrations. And now during the summer solstice it´s nice to write a bit more about the creative process of the Päivätär-illustration. 

In English ”Päivätär” translates as Sun Maiden or Sun Spirit. The Finnish word Päivätär has a strong connection to Finnish mythology and especially to Kalevala poetry. In that way the Kalevala was influencing this illustration right from the start. And in this illustration, the Kalevala was not only nourishing the visions and imagination...  but it also literally adventured with me in the forests and wandered with me in the meadows, when I was searching for the wildflowers.

The Kalevala is a 19th-century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Karelian and Finnish folklore and mythology. The Kalevala is based always in the same metre (poetry) that is a form of trochaic tetrameter, now known as the Kalevala metre.

More info about the Kalevala you can find for example in here:

Kalevala in wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalevala

About Kalevala in the Finnish Literature Society
http://nebu.finlit.fi/kalevala/index.php?m=163&l=2

Kalevala Society Foundation (currently available in Finnish language)
http://kalevalaseura.fi/

Since the first sketches, all the mythic characters were designed to have their own styles and selected colors. ”Päivätär” as the Sun Maiden were then chosen to have that strong yellow and sunny style with touches of white. The Sun Maiden character was also designed to have that theme of conveying and radiating light…  and making the plants grow and the flowers to bloom.  In the illustration the darker green lower part of the floral dress is celebrating that verdancy and is also forming a ground and a platform for that radiating yellowness to bloom.

The sunny flower dress of the Päivätär was completed with meadow buttercups, white clovers and daisies – and with that yellow dandelion flower. That charming dandelion became a perfect eye-catcher into the floral dress – and it became also a very special symbol for the sun and for the midsummer day.

From the start it was clear that the Päivätär would have same style with the other midsummer mythic characters. For that reason the Päivätär had only gentle nuances of the Kalevala, so that all the different stories and styles of the other characters would merge consistently.

But the Kalevala was inspiring me all the way when illustrating the mythic midsummer characters and especially the Päivätär. And in the Kalevala poems it´s for example described: ”I heard Moon Spirit weaving, Sun Spirit spinning…”.  And in some of the Kalevala poems the clothes were ” finished off by Sun Spirit”.

And for example one beautiful verse in English has meaning as: ”Open the best chest, fling open the lid of many colors; in it are six gold belts, seven blue dresses: those were woven by Moon Spirit, finished off by Sun Spirit.” 

But how does that verse look like in Finnish with that archaic language… ? The same verse is attached below from Kalevala (and it´s also seen in the picture below):

”Astu aittahan mäelle

- aukaise parahin aitta - !

Siell' on arkku arkun päällä,

lipas lippahan lomassa.

Aukaise parahin arkku,

kansi kirjo kimmahuta:

siin' on kuusi kultavyötä,

seitsemän sinihamoista.

Ne on Kuuttaren kutomat,

Päivättären päättelemät.”

The Finnish word ”Päivätär” and Finnish language brought special features into this illustration, in the same way than the water related words in the previous Naiad illustration.

And for all you intrested about languages I this time linked again also some Päivätär and sun related words for you to listen in Finnish language... The words are pronounced in Forvo and the links open in a new window (in Forvo press the blue play button for listening).

Aurinko (Sun)
Päivätär (Sun Maiden, Sun spirit)
Keskikesä (Midsummer)
Ilta-auringon kajo (the shimmer of the evening sun)
Hopea (silver)

One of the words listed in links above is "hopea" that translates as silver. In the Finnish folklore and in the Kalevala it has special meaning. And also in this context with Päivätär, because in Kalevala poetry people sometimes asked for the Päivätär to give sun´s silver. Like in the picture below where some of the Finnish words translates: " Sun Spirit, give some of your silver ..."

And when reading the Kalevala poems, the mind wandered into those moments when Päivätär were requested to give silver, clothes and jewellery... and especially to those mystic events, when the sun´s silver was then magically given. Those moments described were also taking a symbolic shape in the illustration, but in a very abstract way.

And in the picture below that sun´s silver was finding it´s place beside the sunrays that were drawn with quite abstract style... and eventually that sun´s silver in the illustration became like a part of that radiating sunlight of the Päivätär.

The sun´s silver in the illustration became a special clue to Kalevala and to Finnish folklore. But because the mythic maidens in these illustrations have a certain style, I therefore added the details from Kalevala poetry in a very subtle way. The approach also reminded a bit of the way how the wawy elements were added for the Naiad in a certain way.

It was interesting through the Päivätär illustration to research that abstract style for example when describing the sun´s silver or those sunrays. With that approach also those smallest details referring to Kalevala were adjusted to the bigger picture and merged in the shared story of all the maidens.

But despite that mentioned abstract drawing style... the characters in these illustrations still had that quite glorious crown for every mythic maiden. But even those crowns were drawn with reduced style and in smaller size if compared to bigger and highly detailed drawings. And it was fascinating trying to draw something glorious but in a plain and reduced way!

And like the other maidens, the Päivätär had her own unique crown designed. And as a result her crown has symbolism of the sun, sun´s silver and light. In her crown it was also important to maintain that similar style with the crowns of the other maidens.

Inspired by the Kalevala, the crown of the Päivätär became silvery, like that sun´s silver in the poems. The colors of the character´s crown were drawn and colored to mimic silvery tones. And the white highlights of the crown were reminding of the midnight sun and white light, but they also were matching nicely with the white daisies of the floral dress. Those white tones brought also some freshness and lightness to the style of the Päivätär – and while coloring, those colors were taking me straight into the light and bright summer days.  

The Päivätär also grew to be a symbol of sunlight and energy. And in the creative process it was about trying to visualize those silvery beams of light that the Päivätär could convey. But also the drawn character was designed to have that energetic and sunny style, not only due the yellow color choices, but the theme can also be seen in the character´s pose and expression. And as a result the Päivätär is then having also that gentle and sunny smile.

And along with that smile of Päivätär…

I´m wishing you sunny midsummer days and bright moments under the midnight sun!

Wishing magical ideas and fairy tale moments for your Midsummer Eve!

And wishing you bright and magical midnight sun!

Starting New Year with winter memories from Finland…

Whispers in the snow. In the fairytale forest with the Snow Queen.

Wishing you Bright New Year!

And sending you light and strenght! ?

Sending you light and energy!

Wishing you Happy Valentine´s Day!

Wishing you all Happy Halloween ??

"On the Midsummer's Eve she found herself in the fairytale world, where under the midnight sun, the reality was suddenly pink and magical things could happen... And during that nightless night, her dress was made of blooming wildflowers" ?

This floral dress above was designed especially for the Midsummer´s Eve and it was inspired by that special pink moment under the midnight sun… That moment when everything can be observed only through magical pink color lens - and it all feels so dreamy and surreal. Like the reality would suddenly be altered to a mythic fairy tale.

Below there´s a memory of that special moment when the midnight sun put the pink spell on my sketchbook.

I was amazed by that pink reality - and therefore this midsummer floral dress was aiming to cherish those same pink tones that were seen under the midnight sun...  Designing this floral dress took me right back into that moment when the pink reality was just about to turn into a more purple story. As a result this blooming dress was then combining wildflowers with pink, magenta and also light purple tones.

This flower dress with pink and magenta colors had also a bit same mood than the older mythic "Midsummer Love Spell" dress design. But this time I designed the drawn character to have a bit different midsummer style with a upper part that looks more like a traditional and romantic blouse that has also more drawn details and small flower decorations on it. At the same time I wanted the upper part to stay light and airy, like an outfit especially designed for the Midsummer´s Eve celebrations.

All the colors of the drawn character were designed to embrace those magical pink and purple tones that were coloring the reality under the midnight sun. But at the same time the colors of the drawn character were kept more lighter than the vivid and colorful wildflowers of the floral dress.

The drawn upper part of the dress was then also completed with small flowers as a decoration. Below there´s a work in progress picture of that moment.

A special detail for those flower decorations in the upper part of the character and also for the floral dress were the flowers of the narrow-leaved everlasting-pea  (Lathyrus sylvestris). In this case those flowers were a perfect color match to the magical pink midsummer mood as well as to the adjusted light colors of the drawn character.

The small and magical flowers of narrow-leaved everlasting-pea were like hidden miniature orchids just waiting to be found. It was also wonderful to find the first blooming ones, right in time, during the summer solstice.

Below you can also see those small flowers then compared to the size of the pink colored pencils.

In the creative process those "miniature orchids" were intriguing... especially when building a miniature floral hair arrangements for the midsummer character. Below there´s a work in progress picture of that moment when fitting the smallest flower elements together.

Below is also pictures from the blooming trail of the floral dress. The trail for this pink midsummer dress was created with red clover flowers (Trifolium pratense), fireweed flowers (Chamaernerion) and with field scabious (Knautia arvensis) flowers.

Under the midnight sun the colors may have magical pink tones - and one could even find "miniature orchids"!

Wishing magical midsummer moments to you all!

It is time to step into the fairy tale world when the midnight sun puts a pink spell on the sketchbook...

This magical fantasy world can be entered only during the summer solstice. Awake and watching that pink reality... And wondering if it´s all a midsummer night´s dream.

Wishing you magical Midsummer´s Eve!

May those fairy tale worlds be open and bring you a lot of magical ideas.

On the Midsummer's Eve she walked along the lake shore in Finland. And during that nightless night, under the midnight sun, her dress was made of blooming wildflowers ?

This floral dress above was designed for the Midsummer´s Eve and was especially inspired by the magical colors and moments under the midnight sun.

The floral trail of the blooming dress was designed to resemble a path along the Finnish lake shore. A path, where white wildflowers shine like the white night and where those purple blue flowers of the tufted vetch resemble the mystic lake that the midnight sun has colored with purple blue tones. Below is a close up from that blooming trail of the floral dress.

Under the midnight sun I was fascinated by that beautiful light purple color of the lake and therefore also the shadow colors of the drawn character were designed to embrace that same magical color.

The character was designed to have a traditional midsummer style and the drawn upper part of the dress was then also completed with small flowers as a decoration. A special detail was to find also light purple wildflowers for those small flower decorations in the upper part of the character. In this case the heath speedwell (Veronica officinalis) was a perfect color match to the magical light purple lake as well as to the violet shadow colors of the character.

The small and delicate flowers of the heath speedwell were like a hidden treasure waiting to be found under the other midsummer flowers and plants.

In the creative process those small flowers were then magical... Below you can also see the flowers compared to the size of a colored pencil. Fitting those small flowers together into the character´s decorations seemed like building a miniature flower arrangement.

For the small flower decorations in the upper part of the design I also used a few of those light blue flowers of myosotis. The clear light blue colored flowers were matching nicely with the character´s eye color. And as a result her eyes were then celebrating the midsummer night´s tones - eyes more like the light blue flowers of myosotis and shadow colors of the eyelids based on heath speedwell like that light purple lake.

During the Midsummer´s Eve there´s that magical moment under the midnight sun, when the sunrays highlight the white night with orange tones. That is why this floral dress design required also those stronger orange and yellow touches to lighten up the whole character and floral design. For that reason the floral dress has yellow flowers of the meadow vetchling and buttercup included in it.

In addition also in the drawn character those yellow and orange colored layers are reminding those warm rays of the midnight sun. In the detail pictures the orange sketchy lines as well as the warm tones in the character´s facial area can be seen more clearly.

During the Midsummer´s Eve enchanting things can happen. Under the midnight sun the colors may have magical tones, and even the lake seem to be light purple.

Wishing magical midsummer moments to you all!

Mesmerized by the midnight sun…. ?

Magical Midsummer´s Eve to my blog readers!
Wishing magical ideas and fairy tale visions to you all ?

This time of a year one might see gnomes in the forest! ?

And today the gnomes are so extremely busy with all the presents that are so needed in our world… Gifts that are the most precious ones: love, compassion, positive energy - and happiness. ?

And right now the gnome in picture above gives those gifts to you!
Sending you armful of positive energy ?

And in the pictures below there´s mood of the snowy Christmas evening...

Under the pink and purple sky, there´s time for Christmas sketching.
Time for fairy tales.

Wishing Happy and Joyful Holiday Season to you all ?

Fairy of the fallen tree ?

One might see her wandering there on the fallen tree, on that softest green moss.

Sometimes in the primeval forest one can almost hear echoes of those past moments, when the old trees fell years ago. But now the soft moss is gently embracing those fallen giants. And in November, when all the autumn colors have already faded, the forest is still unbelievably green. Colored by that green moss carpet.

Those ancient forests are just enchanting. And exactly there, one can also find that perfect place for sketching and dreaming…

And in there, if you just squint your eyes... the fairies can come alive.

Halloween dresses ?

Which one is your favorite ? Left or right?
(You can leave a comment on Instagram or on Facebook)

These Halloween styles were created with a bit darker drawn characters that had their dresses built with fallen autumn leaves. Because I wanted the leaf dresses to have flaming red and orange colors together with that darker look, the aspen leaves with autumn colors were perfect for this occasion.

So I began my creative process by going into the forest. Right in the places where those tall aspens grow...

The autumn had colored the aspen leaves with that beautiful yellow tone. But I also saw some of the red and orange leaves high up there.

Autumn wind was my helper, when I waited those beautifully toned red leaves to fall down.

And eventually I found just the right toned orange and red leaves. Some of them were already fallen earlier, but luckily the autumn light was helpfully revealing their hiding places on the ground.

Each and every one of the leaves was unique and some of them had those dark spots that were also matching well to the planned halloween theme and the dark style of the characters.

I had again found my treasures, a collection of those flaming colored fallen leaves. And those beautiful aspen leaves with all the dark little details were already giving many ideas of the drawn style of the characters. So, I hastened to create the halloween themed characters. And in that evening even the autumn trees seeemed to have those halloween colors and that same fascinating darker mood during the autumn sunset.

The autumn sunset with that dark mood and soft backlight was offering extra inspiration for the drawing stage. The memory of that sunset scenery helped me to keep the drawn costumes of the characters dark enough. And like that magical sunset behind the autumn trees, in the same way I wanted the characters to have strong colors combined into their dark look. That way the two characters had their dark style drawn and their leaf dresses built.

I wanted to also emphasize the selected colors already in the drawing stage and that way distinguish the two characters from each other (picture below). That was done by coloring the two characters either with black and deep red (left character) - or instead with a combination of black, grey and strong orange (character on the right).

As a result the left character became more darker and the right one was having more orange style. In addition the orange character on the right was having in her dress also aspen leaves with strong yellow tones.

The orange character had also a bit sketchy style in the sleeves of the dress and in her hair. Those sketchy drawn lines are more visible in the picture below. In the detail picture one can also see more clearly the green eyes of the character. That added green tone was a nice small addition into to the otherwise orange look of the character.

On the other hand the character on the left had her dress built of the darker deep red leaves. Some of the leaves also had those interesting brown tones and gray faded areas that were blending well in the halloween theme.

In addition the more vivid deep red tones of the leaves were repeated on the character´s hair and in the bowtie, but also in the other little details of the upper part of the dress as well as in her lips. In the detail picture below one can see the mentioned details but also spot her brown eyes.

After drawing and building the dresses, I then started to finish that scenery of leaves for my halloween characters. Below are pictures of that world made of leaves. Also the layers of leaves are more visible in the pictures below.

Sometimes the autumn can take one into the world of fallen leaves.

Wishing you all great and magical Halloween!

Fairy of the autumn maple...
Please, let those maple leaves keep their colors for a while more ??

Fairy of the autumn maple tree had her dress created with layers of  fallen autumn leaves. And creating this layered dress style was all about the different colored maple leaves...

And that´s why this creation started with a search for maple leaves. And what a colorful adventure it was! Starting from green tones to yellow ones. And on the way I wondered how marvellously the fall light played on those maple leaves.

And on my search I found so many fallen treasures under the maple trees....

And while my adventure continued, my path finally took me under that amazing multicolored maple tree. And that tree seemed to have all the stages of autumn in it.

And the most precious treasures of the adventure were those fallen red leaves. Those deep red leaves formed then also that bottom part of the fairy´s leaf dress, and that darkest red hem. And those same red and orange colors were then repeated in the top part of the character´s drawn costume.

The finished dress became multicolored like that maple tree, having all those autumn colors in it. Also the other colors of the drawn character and the upper part of her costume were adjusted to match the leaf dress. In the finishing drawn layers also the fairy´s eyes became vivid green.

Flaming fall colors are always inspiring. And this time the bright and colorful maple leaves brought also a bit of that autumn magic to this fairy´s dress.

Wishing colorful and creative autumn to you all!

In the middle of the autumn forest… she found shelter. ??
And when you are tiny enough, you might even fit under the amanita.

And in the picture below, there´s that moment just before the fairy flew into the autumn forest.

Wishing happy autumn moments to all blog readers!

When the escaped character had suddenly returned into my sketchbook…
I could only wonder was it all real - or just a midsummer night’s dream.

And those blooming wildflowers of the character´s floral dress... Could they remember all her midsummer adventures?

The midsummer themed floral dress in the picture above was created with fireweed flowers - and also with both white and red clovers.

And in addition also the upper part of the dress had some more flowers and leaves drawn into it, just in the same style than the ones in the character´s anadem. That way the added drawn flowers became also like a decoration to her dress.

The escaped character had so many dreams of her dress. Could this finished floral dress now describe that magical night under the midsummer sun - and even remind of those sweetest clover fields? All those adventures that the character had during the midsummer.

And because the escaped character had finally returned, maybe her wishes came true in her floral dress after all... Perhaps that dress could now enshrine all the memories of her midsummer adventures forever.

Under the midnight sun ?
I know she wanted to stay there...

But please, escaped character, come back into my sketchbook…

I would color you.
I would make the floral dress of your dreams for you.

Please, just return.

The escaped character was seen near the clover fields in the soft light of the midsummer night.

She was amazed by that light, but at the same time she stood so still that one could barely spot her there in the middle of the white clovers. The crown and leaves of the anadem, which she had colored herself, seemed to suit her disguise well too. Only her white dress was still like an empty canvas.

Then the midsummer night turned into an early morning. Those mesmerizing sunbeams were already welcoming the Midsummers Day. And suddenly shadows of the clovers were gently dancing on her white dress!

And she dreamed of a magical floral dress that could capture that white night… as well as those moments of the midsummer morning.

Which of the clover flowers do you think she preferred? Flowers of the white clover - or the red clover? 
(You can leave your comment on Sandcastle.fi Instagram page).

And I wandered in the clover fields, where those sweetest clovers grow… 
But I didn´t find her there anymore.

When she escaped from the sketchbook during the midsummer night,
there was that magical light...

Happy Midsummer´s Eve!

Above is a close-up from the older Midsummer Eve illustration.

Midsummer Eve... That mythic lady you could meet only during the Midsummer´s Eve. And today she is here again!

Wishing you all midsummer miracles and happy moments!

One, two, three flowers of hydrangea…
And look, suddenly there´s a path to yesterday!

Could one even time travel through that flower path... and then meet the Queen of yesterday?

The work called “Yesterday´s Queen” was created many years ago. This drawing was designed to have vintage style that resembles a bit of those old recolored vintage photos from the past. This work became also a combination of both vintage style and flower theme.

In addition this drawing also had a bit of mythology twist in it. And what an inspiring subject it was! Trying to imagine that Queen of Yesterday when drawing...

This drawing was created with pencils and selected colored pencils like the orchid themed vintage drawing from the previous article (mystic glow of the orchids). Also this drawing is presenting grayscale facial features with colored flowers.

It is always so exciting to see what the partial coloring does to the drawing! The balance between grayscale and color is a great way to affect the atmosphere of the drawing and emphasize certain elements. In this case especially the flowers and the crown were really highlighted by coloring only them in the drawing.

After the drawing was completed, I added some real hydrangea flowers on top of the drawing. That gave then a complete new dimension to this work!

I also wanted this vintage drawing to have light blue color combined with the gray, and hydrangea flowers were then selected to complete this drawing. Not only the hydrangea flowers are blue, but they are also associating strongly with flowering - and that way they are also reminding of those past blooming moments that will become vintage memories.

At the same time the hand drawn flowers in this drawing had a bit different style compared to for example the previous orchid themed  drawing. In this work I was aiming instead more for the look of a bit artificial or "fake" flowers. Like the ones one could see in some of the old vintage photos. I wanted the Yesterday´s Queen to have few of those fake flowers that are a bit "unreal" and ageless, so that they would also symbolize the time that seems to have stopped. In some old vintage photos there´s that mystic atmosphere, like looking into the yesterday - and in the same time not being so sure if the flowers in the picture are real or fake.

For that reason the flowers were also left quite more plain comparing for example to the orchid themed drawing. In the detail pictures below that more rough and almost a bit imaginery style is seen in the approach, for example in the lines and shapes of the flowers.

Following that same mentioned rough style I have also drawn few of imaginery decayed leaves into the drawing that are left gray and uncolored... Those yesterday´s decayed leaves were a little detail and addition into the drawing, telling story of those already faded yesterday´s flowers. They are almost like a hidden message from the past. And in this case that´s also a message from the year 2012 when I created this vintage drawing.

Also the yellow and bit darkened golden crown was a symbolic addition to the drawing. Below in the picture there´s detail where one can see the hand drawn crown, parts of those drawn "fake" flowers and gray decayed leaves - as well as those fresh real hydranges flowers on top of the drawing.

Creating this work was like building a collage. And in those moments, when all the elements are finally coming together, it feels like the real and unreal could merge!

Remembering this work today with you was like walking that path of hydrangea flowers...

And that fragile path of flowers was taking me there again. In to the yesterday.

Wishing you all a wonderful and inspiring moments that some day just might be, your most precious vintage memories.
 

Happy Valentine´s Day to Sandcastle.fi blog readers ❤️

Here´s rose dresses for Valentine´s Day 2018…  Which one is your favourite, left or right?

Some days are just fulfilled with rosy thoughts… and again this year the Valentine´s Day became a day of roses.

To this Valentine´s Day illustration I designed  the two characters and their dresses with traditional Valentine´s Day colors and completed the dresses with real roses. This year I chose four different colored roses for the dresses including both warm and cooler colors.

Creating the rose dresses was almost like entering the rosy fairy tale world of the characters...

The character on left had her dress completed with deep red roses and lighter roses with shades of orange. The dress of the another character on the right was created with roses that had more cooler shades of pink and purple. I designed the dresses to have a bit of extra sense of layering when combining the different colored roses together.

The dresses were this time designed to have longer lace sleeves. The embroidery of the dresses was also hand drawn and the sparkling style started to remind a bit of the details of figure skating dresses... Maybe the ongoing Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang gave that extra twist also to the Valentine´s Day dresses 2018. 

I designed the character on the left with the deep red roses to have also darker hair with deep red highlights on the hair ends. That way also the hair is almost like having a bit of balayage effect. Also the top of the dress was colored with deep red color layers.

In the same time the lighter and a bit orange roses of the dress were lighting up the whole character. And a small detail was to add also that same brighter orange tone from the colored pencil as a makeup to the character´s eyelids.

And in the middle of all those roses, one can suddenly become aware of that one unique rose.

Like in the moment captured in picture below, when the lighter and a bit orange colored rose draws the attention and brightens the whole character - and the studio too.

The bright pink roses of the dress were lighting up the whole dress also in the design of the another character on the right. In this case the top of the dress was colored with cool pink and purple color layers to match the rose dress.

I designed this another character on the right to have blond hair with pink highlights. Also this character is having a bit of balayage effect on the hair ends, but in this case it is created with pink color. Some of the petals of the pink roses were also having that nice soft color that gave a lot of inspiration to the color choices and gave that soft tone also to the character´s hair. Those same colors could also be seen in the subtle changes of  character´s skin color. The eyes and eye “makeup” for this character were colored with light blue tones that were amplifying the cooler tones of the character and the dress.

The both characters were having their own style and look. But in the end it was also important to keep the both characters similar enough when presented together in the same illustration. Again it was all about unifying the characters but also to join the cool and warm roses into a one rosy story.

Finally the illustration was completed with the surrounding roses, petals and rose leaves.

Wishing a wonderful and rosy Valentine´s Day to all blog readers! ?❤️

 

 

Today the fourth mystic maiden is joining the Midsummer Eve celebrations…

She is whispering midsummer love spells. Those ancient magic words.
It is the Midsummer again.

Pink dreams, heart-shaped clouds.
Secrets of the midnight sun and the magic of the wildflowers
- Hmm, maybe also a touch of purple…?

But could that Midsummer spell, indeed,
even make those centaurea flowers to bloom?

Magical Midsummer Eve to you all <3

Above is the sketch of the Finnish "Midsummer Love Spell". This illustration  was once designed together with the Midsummer Dryad, Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Naiad. Can you still remember those mythic characters from the previous blog posts? Together they are creating a series of mythic midsummer illustrations. 

All these illustrations were inspired by the Finnish midsummer mythology and mythical creatures from the Finnish folklore. And of course the amazing Finnish nature, wildflowers and midsummer magic were giving me a lot of inspiration on the way.

For the fourth “Midsummer Love spell” character especially the pink, magenta and purple colors helped to create a unique theme. And also for this illustration I collected the wonderful Finnish wildflowers to match the selected theme colors. Stunning pink and magenta colors were guiding the way when searching the right flowers for the floral dress. Especially the red campion just had that right mood for the midsummer love spell theme...

Red campion flowers were a lovely source of inspiration when creating this illustration with the midsummer love spell theme.

And how magical,  suddenly everywhere seemed to be heart-shaped reminders of the romantic theme.

In this illustration I wanted to emphasize the mystic sense of the midsummer and love spells. For that reason the chosen flowers for this illustration were red campion, red clover and fireweed. The selected wildflowers had romantic pink tones, but especially the purple hues gave that needed strength, saturation and mystic sense to the illustration.

The flowers of the fireweed even looked like small magical spells themselves...

There is something mystic in the Nordic white night. Being surrounded of that magical glow is like experiencing the fairy-tail dream world, but fully awake. In this illustration that dreamy and magical midsummer glow influenced again the color choices. I emphasized the cooler pink shades in characters skin color. And also the white color in the highlights was a way to describe that magical moment in Finland when night and day is merging together during the Midsummer Eve and the night is white.

In this illustration the aim was to combine that sense of Nordic white night, the pink romantic nuance and on the other hand the strong and colorful vision of the Midsummer love spells.

Those purple colors in the wildflowers emphasized the theme of Midsummer love spells. The color balance was adjusted with some violet tones from the Centaurea flowers (knapweed).

And how the Centaurea flowers were already blooming right during the summer solstice...? Well, that must be midsummer magic! The myths and stories about a spell that could make the flowers grow faster also gave an extra twist to this midsummer love spell themed illustration.

When creating the illustration the green leaves of the red clover were reminding of the growth and midsummer verdancy, and eventually helped to unite all the ideas into a one blooming floral dress.

Overall wildflowers have a fascinating role especially in Finnish Midsummer celebrations. The traditions of Midsummer Eve go way back to olden times. Old beliefs have included traditions of midsummer spells, like for example collecting different wildflowers and placing them under a pillow for a night. Those wildflowers had then a special meaning and for example consequences to dreams.

If you want to read more about the midsummer love spells, check out the Visit Finland link below to the fascinating article and the beautiful video that tells more about different love spells from Finnish folklore. And of course the amazing site is visual experience for everyone interested of Finland.

So, what does it mean to collect those different Finnish wildflowers – or  roll in dew…?  

visitfinland.com/white-night-magic/

Today she is having wildflowers in her hair. And the golden crown is just like the midnight sun.
She is wandering through the meadow and suddenly all the wildflowers are blooming on her dress.

That mystic sense of midsummer, all those voices like ancient spells.
Is this real - or just a midsummer night’s unbelievable dream?

On the sky there are dreams written in pink shades.
Light blue stays awake when the bonfires light up the sky.
Mesmerizing flames are celebrating the Midsummer Eve
- and warm flaming colors are merging with the cool shades of the nature.
That mystic dance captures all those midsummer colors in one moment.
 
Tonight there is no darkness, only white night.
Joy of existence... It is Midsummer´s Eve.

And just right before the dawn the Nordic night is pure and white.
Tomorrow the day will be already shorter and slowly all those vivid colors
will turn into yesterday´s memories. 

But the sun stays in the sky…  Was it real?

Magical Midsummer Eve to you all <3

Above is the Finnish "Midsummer Eve". She was once designed together with the Midsummer Dryad and Naiad, the two characters from previous post. Stronger colors of yellow and magenta created unique flaming theme for this third character. Together the Midsummer Eve, the Dryad and the Naiad are creating a series of mythic midsummer illustrations. 

All these illustrations were inspired by the Finnish midsummer mythology and mythical creatures from the Finnish folklore.  And of course again the amazing Finnish nature, wildflowers and midsummer magic were giving me a lot of inspiration on the way.

For this Midsummer Eve illustration I collected wildflowers that were blooming in Finland right during the Midnight sun. Midnight sun is celebrated on the weekend after 19^th june and the Midsummer Eve is called “juhannusaatto” in Finnish.

In Midsummer Eve the bonfires are lit up to celebrate the midsummer. Midsummer bonfire is called “juhannuskokko” in Finnish. I designed this third fairy-tail styled character to have a more flaming appearance resembling that way also those bonfires in Finland during the Midsummer Eve celebrations.

Bonfires are very common in the Midsummer Eve celebrations and the bonfires are usually burned at lakesides and by the sea. For that reason there´s also hints of light blue in the illustration, bringing that Finnish Lakeland feeling next to the burning vivid colors.

Close to midnight on Midsummer Eve the bonfires are ceremoniously lit all over Finland...

And that magical dance of the flames in the bonfire is mesmerizing…

Also in the drawing the strong yellows and orange colors emphasize that atmosphere near the midsummer bonfires. For that same reason I also chose wildflowers in vivid colors of yellow and magenta when completing the floral dress. The magenta color from fireweed and red campion (silene dioica) was also a way to unite the magenta colored wildflowers to the drawing character´s lighter pink skin tones. Those pink shades also describe the midsummer sunsets and midsummer evenings in Finland.

In this illustration I wanted to capture all the flaming and vivid colors of the Midsummer Eve…   but at the same time so that they would be in a harmony with the more subtle and cooler colors from the Finnish nature and Lakeland. As a result the illustration became a celebration for the Finnish Midsummer Eve.

There is something mystic in the Nordic white night. Being surrounded of that magical glow is like experiencing the fairy-tail dream world, but fully awake.  In this third midsummer illustration that dreamy and magical midsummer glow influenced also the color choices. The white added to the otherwise strong warm colors was a way to describe that magical moment in Finland when night and day is merging during the Midsummer Eve… That enchanted moment when the night is white. Therefore also in the drawing there is that pure white in the center and in the highlights.  Just like the Nordic white night would give that finishing touch to the entire illustration.

Midsummer decorations are a way to celebrate the beginning of the summer. An old tradition during Midsummer is also to decorate houses and doorways with young birch trees and flowers. That old belief also found a way to the illustration, not only through all the wildflowers in the flower dress, but also when some birch leaves were added to the floral dress design. The birch leaves in the bottom of the character´s floral dress brought that extra Finnish twist into this illustration.

Also the nature revealed few amazing miracles when creating this dress. Below is one detail of a small miracle during the creative process. Nature is a great artist - and we are surrounded of all those miracles and artworks. Even when the small Finnish birch leaf couldn´t decide whether to grow separately - or stay united, the result is simply beautiful…

Over time those leaves grown together became also a symbol of these midsummer illustrations. A serie of illustrations, that eventually grows from individual pieces into one story.

Old traditions about birch leaves and midsummer decorations were added to this illustration also in the form of the miniature green leaves and flowers drawn to the character´s hair. The impression of flowers in the hair reminds of all those verdant and flower-rich Midsummer Eve decorations.

Overall wildflowers have a fascinating role especially in Finnish Midsummer celebrations. The traditions of Midsummer Eve go way back to olden times. Old beliefs have included traditions of midsummer spells, like for example collecting different wildflowers and placing them under a pillow for a night.  Those wildflowers had then a special meaning and for example consequences to dreams.

If you want to read more about the midsummer love spells, check out the link below to the fascinating article and video that tells more about different love spells from Finnish folklore. And of course the amazing site is visual experience for everyone interested of Finland.

So, what does it mean to collect those different Finnish wildflowers – or even roll in dew…?  

visitfinland.com/white-night-magic/

 

A path through the forest is leading to the forgotten pond.
Wildflowers are guardians of the secret way.
Myosotis, tufted vetch, wood cranesbill… Shades of blue and purple.

All the bluish flowers are whispering that in the midsummer night
you might see the Naiad near the pond – or even in the stream whirls of the forest creek.

But what if the Naiad is just a reflection on the water?
A mirage in the midsummer´s night, dancing with the water sparkles... and then diving just before the dawn.

Or could you see that water spirit on a serene lake in a magical land of a thousand lakes?
And would you then follow her steps through the Nordic white night
into the mist of a midsummer morning?

During the midnight sun everything is possible, and the Naiad has been here too…

The Midsummer Naiad (above) was once designed as a sister to the Midsummer Dryad (below). Do you still remember her from last year´s midsummer article?

Initially these mythic fairy-tale styled characters were inspired by the Finnish midsummer mythology and
mythical creatures from the Finnish folklore. Visions of the Finnish Midsummer Dryad and Naiad started then to develop in my sketchbook, based on the old myths and transforming into new ideas and illustrations.

Over the years the beauty of the pure nature in Finland has been a great source of inspiration for my illustrations.  In these midsummer illustrations the Finnish nature, lakes and wildflowers played again an important role.

First I drew the fairy-tale styled characters and then I created the flower dresses by completing them with real Finnish wildflowers. I chose wildflowers that were blooming in Finland right in the summer solstice. The Midsummer Dryad and Naiad had then their unique blooming floral dresses designed into the forest and water themes. Together the shades of blue and green tell a story of the enchanting Midsummer in Finland.

I collected particularly bluish wildflowers when completing the floral dress for the Midsummer Naiad. Tufted vetch became like waves on her dress, and myosotis were giving the fresh light blue touch to the entire flower dress. I wanted to emphasize fresh blues also in the drawing and describe that way the pure clean waters in Finland. Cool shades of blue along with the white reminding of the sky and lakes – was a way to add also the Finnish Lakeland twist to the traditional water nymph theme. The hints of green and purple helped to make the entire illustration more diverse, but at the same time those colors also illustrate the reflections on a serene lake and midsummernight´s shadows. Especially the strong purple from the wood cranesbill created that mystic sense of magical midsummer to the blue dress of the Naiad.

It is interesting to ponder how mental images and ideas are forming. Sometimes it is all about certain feeling or memory, a view that was once forgotten, inspiring color, music - or even a voice. In this case the Finnish language and certain words had just the right magical atmosphere when designing these midsummer illustrations. Some Finnish words seem to create visions by themselves.

I know many of you are reading this in English and usually also my illustrations are named only in English. But in this case some of the words in Finnish just have that mythic poetry in them…  Like for example the Finnish word “vedenneito” that can be translated as a water nymph or naiad, although the Finnish mythology shapes that concept uniquely. The word “vesi” means water and “neito” translates as a maiden.

The entire Finnish word “vedenneito” by itself sounds already like a calmly flowing stream in a forest creek, where syllables are like a chain of small bridges over the water.  You can almost see that mythical water spirit while listening to that softly flowing word “vedenneito” in Finnish. Some words are like music, like mythic whispers... Maybe those same ancient stories that gentle lapping waves are telling on a lake in midsummer evenings.

The official translation for naiad in Finnish is “aallotar” and that word also waves like water. The word “aalto” itself translates as a wave.  Based on that flowing Finnish word also my Midsummer Naiad eventually had waves on her hair.  As a result elements from several mythic words were that way united in one illustration.

If you want to listen how the Finnish words are pronounced, you will find them below linked to Forvo. As a largest online pronunciation dictionary in the world Forvo is a treasure to all you interested in different languages.  Those of you who work or travel abroad – or study new language, may find the site useful.  And of course Forvo inspires all you, who just want to cherish and enjoy the beauty of your own native language.

The Finnish mythic words pronounced in Forvo:
(words below are opening in a new window, in Forvo press the blue play button for listening)
Aallotar (naiad)
Vedenneito (water nymph, naiad)
Metsänneito (dryad)
Keijukainen  (fairy)

Illustration can be a very complex process that can include many different views – from myths to words.  Even certain voice or pronunciation can shape visions and create new ideas.  At best the illustrator can be completely engrossed in that creative process, falling into the world of concepts and ideas.  And the Finnish mythic midsummer is a very inspiring subject to illustrate.

Midsummer in Finland is made of old mythic traditions, tranquil lakes, beautiful wildflowers - and unforgettable moments.  But above all, it is the magical outcome of our own personal visions and experiences… We can all create magic.

I wish magical midsummer moments and miracles to all Sandcastle.fi blog readers!

Wishing to see the summer fairy again and while waiting... here´s picture of the summer fairy from several years ago. Yellow wildflowers were like mini suns, memories that are still radiating warm light.

Happy Halloween to all you readers!

Halloween mood and heart-shaped pumpkin.
Below detail from the drawing.  

I´m enchanted by the magical midsummer in Finland.
Trying to capture those fleeting moments when miracles can happen.

Was it a dryad...? Midnight sun even decorated her dress with the wildflowers.

Magical Midsummer Eve to all you readers!
May the midnight sun bring you light and joy <3

Spring is in the air!
Happy May to you all!

And below is a detail from the Spring Fairy drawing (work in progress). The miniature face and features compared to the size of the colored pencils and brush are here seen more clearly.

Snowy forest treasures all the frozen memories.
But under the snow there´s already a silent promise of the spring.

But have you ever wondered where all the fairies hide during the winter…?

Look a bit closer…

Because deep in the snowy fairytale forest
you just might find the place,
where the fairies hide.

Finland and winter… Whispers in the snow.
In the fairytale forest with the Snow Queen.

Great and Happy New Year 2015 to you all <3
Thank you for reading my blog!  And to facebook fans also a big thank you for all the likes and support!

New Year´s Eve… It´s time to change calendars and remember the memories from the past year.
Pile of sketchbooks is becoming like a library of life <3

Wishing for a white Christmas...

During the Christmas you just might see incredible things in the snowy forest <3
Here´s an older illustration painted with watercolors.