PAINT DECORATIVE NORSE KNOTWORK

MILIVOJ CERAN reveals how to create a realistic painting featuring a detailed Norse knotwork frame

- MILIVOJ CERAN

This piece is one I created for my Norse Mythology Art Book. To glorify Vikings lore, I've added Norse knotwork and a decorative frame. I'll show you how I construct the border and knotwork, and how to use and make photo references, to help with realism. I will break down my entire process, from the loose sketch and idea to the finished piece. I will also explain how I use acrylic colours to achieve the desired result.

I've been fascinated with Vikings since I was very young, so I decided to make my own version of this wonderful lore. I also wanted to make paintings with some vintage elements like bordures and knotwork. I was influenced a lot by traditional painters from the past, but also masters like Alan Lee and his book Mabinogion, which is full of wonderful paintings and decorative Celtic knotwork and borders. Norse and Celtic knotworks are similar, but a bit different in style.

In this piece, Valhalla, I made Norse gods and Einherjars (warriors) feasting and celebrating in Odin's hall, called Gladsheim. Odin is in the centre of the feast, with his two ravens, Hugin and Munin, pictured above him.

Milivoj has been a professional illustrator since 2002, author of the Norse Mythology Art Book. An artist known for work on Magic the Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. www.norse-myth.com

MATERIALS

PAPER

Fabriano 5, 300gsm watercolour hot pressed, satinata, extra white

Tracing paper

ACRYLIC COLOURS

Winsor & Newton "Galeria"

Talens "Amsterdam"

MASKING AGENT

Schmincke, Rubbelkrepp

BRUSHES

Watercolour brushes (sable brushes, flat brushes)

PENCIL

Pencils (HB)

MISCELLANEOUS

Rulers

Divider

1 Find the idea