"Can You Draw Elves?"

[endersaka]

Today, a potential client, asked me if I can draw Elves, so, I sent him this sketch from my sketchbook that dates back around 5 or more years ago.
I mean: after all, Elves are just particularly beautiful and elegant humans with pointy ears, right? Though, even, the variants, not from European mythology, like the Elves in the World of Warcraft MMORPG videogame by Blizzard, at the end of the day are humanoid fantastic creatures with pointy ears.

I am thinking of remake this one. Eyes need to be fixed, and it needs even more details and contrast. We will see...

 

[Kristen2026]

You definitely captured elven elegance.

 

[Kristen2026]

You asked can you draw elves? Well this is my one and only elf. I drew this around 2015. It's funny when I look at it now I realize I missed the most important part - elf ears. Maybe I'll revisit it.

 

[endersaka]

You asked can you draw elves? Well this is my one and only elf.

It is a very good one, indeed. I would suggest you, if I may, to make a paint of it.

And you got me. Totally. I must admit that I wasn't sure if I could dare starting a thread in which anyone that want to share their elves are welcome, because I wasn't sure about the dynamics of the forum. Though, it was somehow my implied intention (the title, in fact, suggest that), and I really appreciate your contribution.

 

[Kristen2026]

It is a very good one, indeed. I would suggest you, if I may, to make a paint of it.

And you got me. Totally. I must admit that I wasn't sure if I could dare starting a thread in which anyone that want to share their elves are welcome, because I wasn't sure about the dynamics of the forum. Though, it was somehow my implied intention (the title, in fact, suggest that), and I really appreciate your contribution.

Thanks. As for painting, maybe not. I may try colored pencils. The only thing I paint these days are watercolor florals.

 

[txomsy]

Elves are just particularly beautiful and elegant humans with pointy ears, right?

Two points:

I thought Mr. Spock wasn't an elf but a Vulkanian

That is a rather restrictive view of the term, which has evolved in different mythological contexts to also have different appearances sometimes extreme, like in Harry Potter's fiction).

As for drawing humans with pointy ears, that's just a detail easy to modify in any portrait.

 

[endersaka]

The point is that elves are not fictional characters as like as modern fictional characters like, for example, Superman or Harry Potter. Elves are mythological creatures and their first appearances are rooted in the Germanic folklore. Mediterranean and Asian folklore have similar creatures.

For this reason, they are quite ingrained in the historical memory of Nord European populations.

Actually, in the original Germanic folklore there is no mention of pointy ears. Light elves were simply described as radiant humanoid supernatural creatures of extraordinary beauty and elegance. Not even Tolkien, which is often reason of debate, describes his elves having pointy ears.

The pointy ears became a standard in elves' depictions during Victorian age and early 20th century. Possibly borrowed by fairy tales and illustrations.

It is, indeed, a very convenient and practical way to mark a character as non-human, especially in visual representations.

I thought Mr. Spock wasn't an elf but a Vulkanian

I didn't say anything about Spock.

That is a rather restrictive view of the term, which has evolved in different mythological contexts to also have different appearances sometimes extreme, like in Harry Potter's fiction).

I am sorry but I do not consider Harry Potter a reference for elves.

1. It is a fiction.
2. I do not know if they are physically described in the book and, if yes, how.
3. The only version I saw it is the film version which is the interpretation of the concept artists (which I trust like I trust those who claim that the Earth is flat, considering the precedents in cinema adaptations).

The Harry Potter elves could somehow resemble some kind of fairy creature of the Nordic European mythology, like kobolds, for example. Though, kobolds are quite negative figures. I think that Harry Potter's elves are good (not sure, I have never finished to watch even the first film and do not plan to watch it).

Those you call "mythological contexts" are not "mythological contexts". Cinema, books, comics, etc. are not "mythological contexts". Zeus and Odin are mythological figures (and for those living at the time when those myths were alive, they were a religion); the elves of Harry Potter are not. Zeus is described in all Greek and Roman written history. Odino appears, among other texts, in Poetic Edda and Prose Edda and Elves appear there too. Elves have no evolution since widespread urbanization when the popular belief started to decline. Few cultures, though, still believe they exist, for example in Iceland.

As for drawing humans with pointy ears, that's just a detail easy to modify in any portrait.

Which is precisely my point. Nothing else was implied in my post.

 

[txomsy]

No need to get picky.

It was only intended as a humorous comment (hence the ). It was you who mentioned elves are just humans with pointy ears, right?, I only played on it to point humanoids with pointy ears are not elves. They are neither an indicator of non-humanity (they naturally occur in some congenital syndromes). And I wasn't using "context" to mean "mythological body" but the broader interpretation of that which surrounds (the context of) a mythological body. As you yourself point out, even in specific "contexts", the depiction changes, like, say in early Anglo-Saxon, current, or Victorian-era contexts.

That said -as a way of apology and to imply our points of view are not that different- it is one thing to paint humans with pointy ears (which some people interpret as elves) and another thing painting "elves" which many artists have interpreted in different ways as you say.

Again as an apology: when I saw the title of the post, I first thought of all "Lord of the Rings" elves, "Harry Potter" elves, Victorian elves, and the various descriptions in Anglo-Saxon, Irish, Celtic, Icelandic, Norse, Swedish and Germanic texts. You see, I've always liked mythology and amassed a tiny collection of works from many places and ages. That's what prompted my unfortunate comment, for which I sincerely apologize if it was misinterpreted.

 

[endersaka]

No need to get picky.

[...]

You apologize, yet you also label my response as ‘picky’.

You raised points; I addressed them. That’s the entire story.

In contemporary usage, ‘elves’ refers overwhelmingly to the pointed‑ear humanoid type. The client’s question was clearly about that.

The purpose of this thread was never to debate the historically accurate appearance of elves or their evolution in 20th–21st century fiction.

 

[E.J.H.]

"A historically acurate appearance of elves" is a bit of a contradictio in terminis isn't it?

I live in Iceland. The elves from Icelandic mythology don't have the vulcan ears.
If one were to portrait them they would probably be undistinguisable from beautiful aristocratic people.

But are they the "real"() elves?
Of course not. First of, the elves from the sagas are part of diverse group of magical hidden people. Secondly descriptions in those legends and folktales vary a lot. The witnesses are notoriously untrustworthy...

And if you forgive me for playing cpt Obvious, no matter if we take elves from whatever mythology, or from modern books movies, they are ALL figments of someone's imagination (unless you talk to certain usually old and always eccentric Icelandic individuals, buuut let's not go there...).
Even the winged little creatures usually called fairies in the English-speaking parts of the world are called "blómálfur" (flower elves) here.
So how to draw an elf? However you (and your client) like.

 

[endersaka]

The elves from Icelandic mythology don't have the vulcan ears.

In fact, as I said, the mythological elves do not have pointy ears. Again, as I said, the pointy ears are probably borrowed from Victorian age and early 20th century fairy tales. In which, elves were often more like the small people of the woods, with pointy hat sometimes, ... Santa Claus assistants like creatures basically.

And if you forgive me for playing cpt Obvious, no matter if we take elves from whatever mythology, or from modern books movies, they are ALL figments of someone's imagination (unless tou talk to certain usually old and eccentric Icelanic individuals, let's not go there...).
Even the winged little creatures usually called fairies in the English-speaking parts of the world are called "blómálfur" (flower elves) here.
So how to draw an elf? However you (and your client) like.

And still, modern Islandic people are not ancient ones.

By the way, I agree for the most part. Except that I believe it is essential to distinguish from myths and modern/contemporary fiction. It is not for the sake of the elves' look (of which I do not honestly care) but for the sake of understanding each other and historical accuracy: if we put everything in the same cauldron, we obtain a broth which brings no practical value.

For the sake of accuracy, pointy ears appeared after 1950-1960, maybe later. Even in the Alan Lee illustrations (which are used as a reference in the Peter Jackson cinema adaptation of LotR) I struggle to clearly identify pointy ears.

Finally, I hate to repeat myself, but if feel like no one wants to acknowledge it, as I said, "In contemporary usage, ‘elves’ refers overwhelmingly to the pointed‑ear humanoid type. The client’s question was clearly about that."... And he later confirmed my intuition by expressing appreciation for my pencil.

Which brings back to my initial joke: "after all, Elves are just particularly beautiful and elegant humans with pointy ears, right?".

 

[PaintBoss]

Endersaka and Kristen, both lovely pieces.
Endersaka, it’s a lovely sensitive portrait. The only thing I would caution you on is the left side of the mouth looks too dark. Like she’s been punched there. Unfortunately, that’s where my eyes go to. It’s dry way too much attention for the rest of the face.I think you can show contrast and shading without making it as dark. And maybe just define it a little better. That’s my thoughts on your beautiful drawing. You do an even soft measure drawing throughout. Or you can focus a little more on the centre of the face, the eyes nose mouth, maybe a bit of the browse if you wanna pull in the focus to the central face. And then when art school, they would say make that a little more defined and make the utter edges the hair and shows a little less defined. I found that was very good advice for focussing the eye. Congratulations on your client!
Kristen, you should try doing something other than flowers in watercolor. This might be a great thing to try! But colour pencil would be gorgeous too.

 

[endersaka]

Endersaka and Kristen, both their lovely pieces. [...]

Thanks for the advises. It is, indeed, an old sketch. If I decide to finish it, I will certainly try to fix all those things.

And I agree on Kristen, a watercolour of that elf, for example, would be very nice, I think.

 

[Kristen2026]

I may try colored pencils. Thank for your response.

 

[endersaka]

Just a test. Not the same likeness. Slightly different pose. Very small (thumb size): which makes very hard to shade in this romantic-like fashion (i.e. deep shadows but very gentle shading... Which I personally love).

I wanted to see how I draw a "gentle creature" (like an elf) nowadays, before to re-make the original one. Despite the small size, I think, it clearly shows how I managed it 5-10 years ago, and how I manage it today.

 

[Kristen2026]

Just a test. Not the same likeness. Slightly different pose. Very small (thumb size): which makes very hard to shade in this romantic-like fashion (i.e. deep shadows but very gentle shading... Which I personally love).

I wanted to see how I draw a "gentle creature" (like an elf) nowadays, before to re-make the original one. Despite the small size, I think, it clearly shows how I managed it 5-10 years ago, and how I manage it today.

View attachment 54996

I think you did capture the essence. i'm impress you can get that much detail in such a small drawing. Everything I do is big.

 

[endersaka]

I think you did capture the essence. i'm impress you can get that much detail in such a small drawing. Everything I do is big.

Indeed. It is quite hard to do it. I need a steady hand like a surgeon; it is very easy to make a misstep. Though, considering that I am oriented to draw comics mostly, a face as big as a thumb (or less) is very frequent.

 

[PaintBoss]

Beautiful. Well done. Your treatment of light, darks, contrast shading is consistent, so you definitely advanced your understanding. Also you made the focus on the face by doing the most darks and contrast there.

 

[endersaka]

There has been an "unwanted" evolution. ... It happens sometimes, that I let the fantasy go... I think it happens to every one of us. Anyway...

I thought it would be nice to have a complete scene and add some context. Who they are? Random elves? No one knows...
It is certain that, if I was the designer of the film adaptations of Tolkien books, the mood of elves would have been quite different.

This gives also the idea of the size compared to the mechanical pencil. Of course, I played with the contrast and exposition, otherwise many drawing details would have been almost invisible.

 

[PaintBoss]

Gorgeous! And boy did you ever do nice work on that profile.
I love Tolkien. He describes his elves very well. In Harry Potter, the elves are also described well and they’re pretty much the complete opposite. They do have pointed ears. They are stunted in size and have almost ugly attributes. lol There’s are some variations in the looks of elves in the and movies. The house look different than the elves in the bank, for example.No strange glamour, not even a prickly sense of something other worldly or ethereal! Lol
I think elves and fairies have many different descriptions fiction and folklore and legends. Same with angels. Which gives us the creative freedom to express them however we wish!
Oh yes, overtime we do let some notions or dreams or ideas go. But there’s always room for new ideas. With time and experience we get better at things, even if we have to leave other things behind. But you know you can pick some ideas up again. Just like how you brought your experience to this subject.