Alban Arthan and Alban Helfin {art}

[altocello]

In which Arthur is the Oak King, the God of waxing light, and Merlin is the other side of his coin as the Holly King, the God of waning light.

I pulled very heavily from the Druidic tradition as inspiration for this art. During Alban Arthan (winter solstice), the Oak King triumphs over the Holly King, and the days get longer. And during Alban Helfin (summer solstice), the Holly King triumphs over the Oak King, and the days get shorter, until the cycle renews itself again.

Disclaimer: These are non-profit fanworks; no harm intended, no money made.


"Alban Helfin" and "Alban Arthan"

Also on
AO3 | Tumblr | LJ

I'd like to thank amphigoury, jelazakazone, rocknvaughn, and kitty-fic for all their help and encouragement while I was working on this piece; you all helped in your own way to make this so much better! *hugs*

Find more lovely winter themed Merlin art at the Merlin Art Fest Advent Calendar

Thank you for looking! Comments are adored!

Comments

[jelazakazone.livejournal.com]

SQUEEEEEEEE. <3 <3 <3 LOVE THIS.

[altocello.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Jela! And thank you for making me do the ombre thing that my brain kept telling me I needed to do! <333

[mrs-leary.livejournal.com]

That's really lovely, hon! The symmetry is just divine. ♥

[jelazakazone.livejournal.com]

<3 I'm so glad I could nudge that latent thought! It was already great, but I think the ombre shading really adds something.

[altocello.livejournal.com]

It really does! Long distance creative mind melds, FTW! <3 <3

[altocello.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Digital is very good for symmetry :D The symbolic symmetry of the mythos really grabbed me too. I'm so glad you enjoyed the result! <333

[thalialunacy.livejournal.com]

So, this is amazing. And it tickles my SCA medieval loving soul -- it's very much something like what we'd have on the charters we give out as awards. Astonishingly lovely.

[altocello.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, Thalia! That was just what I was aiming for! I wanted it to feel archaic and serene. :D

[leviathans-moon.livejournal.com]

seeing these for the first time and now I want to have both the boys and the ladies as cards or something. These look amazing.