A little while ago a very well known, and well-respected writer let it be known that he was looking for an artist to illustrate a graphic novel about Celts, Romans, and Druids staring a very strong warrior woman. It doesn’t take a detective to realize he’s referring to Boudicca, who organized a successful (and then unsuccessful) revolt against Roman rule in Britannia.
I sent this image along with a very passionate note about my interest in the subject to the writer but never heard back.
Nevertheless, it was good to change up my approach and work in a less animated style than I typically do. I attempted to be authentic as possible in depicting everything except the tattoos. The blue tribal tattoos so often associated with the Celts was really used only by a small group of people in the Scottish Highlands known as the Picts (or “Painted-People”). Boudicca was Queen of the Iceni tribe, much further south than the pics, but it’s a striking visual. I can see why so many artists and costume designers use it for other generic Celts as well.
