Happy New Year, guys.
I've always wanted to draw a Siberian shaman in a Bilibin-esque style, and I finally did it before the end of 2012 (in my time zone, at least). This is the fourth picture in the Moleskine Mythology series, and the first of the series to be coloured digitally. I think that all the pictures I'm going to do in this series from now on will have to be coloured digitally, as my copics are starting to dry out and pencil crayons do not look as good in Moleskine as copic markers do.
The Evenki are a Tungusic people who live in Siberia. Formerly known as the Tungus, they are traditionally hunter-gatherers and pastoralists who herd reindeer and live in cone-shaped teepee like structures. Red and blue characterize most ritual items in Evenk shamanism. The shaman, with his buckskin coat and antlers, resembles the elk or the reindeer, which is the primary game animal of the region. See more here:
[link]He is holding a drum in front of him. The statue behind him leaning on the tree is a spirit-companion or saven (as they are known in Udege--I'm not sure what the term is in Evenk). I should note the patterns on the front of his shirt are actually not part of his shirt, but part of a breastplate (made of buckskin, again). Reference for the breastplate from:
[link]Patterns on the shaman's outfit and drum were referenced from pictures on this anthropology site:
[link]His headdress is from here:
[link]What is happening in this picture: (from link:
[link])
Shaman steps on the stage again. Hichupkan idol is brought after him (he usually was made out of young larch). The top of the larch is made in the way that reminds human face. The lower part is split as if legs. A bit lower than face small cross stick is settled, representing arms. Hunters in full armour crawl between idol's legs, cleaning themselves and armour from evil spirits. After the last hunter, shaman squeezes idol's legs. He straps it with a mild tree root.
All participants make sacrifices - put fur -bearing animal hide, scraps of different colors on idol's arms. They grease his face. The ritual is over. Shaman says to the spectators:
"Now we will have the quarry. We caught luck!"Used texture from here:
[link]Media:Moleskine notebook
Photoshop CS6
Inkscape
Micron markers
Time: ~2 hours
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
Sta.sh
![[link]](http://www.deviantart.com/users/outgoing?http://www.necep.net/media/images/chaman-tungus.jpg){kind=link}
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Is school starting for you soon? I'm starting on Monday, and that sucks. I already have a ton of readings, but luckily, I've already finished most of them.
Sort of? Like I need to finish the five due on the fifteenth xD;; I'm such a horrible procrastinator.
It kind of gives me an eerie feeling, because it's kind of dark, and reminds me of a head twisted backwards. Are the shamans supposed to give off this feeling?
I like all the little designs too! So neat~
Well, those little designs aren't mine xD They're referenced from the public domain and educational sites about Evenki shaman clothes.
Thanks!
Well... you drew them! I like how you drew them? haha. Also, I found those German books,with the decorated pages. I need a sharper razor blade to cut them out, because all I have are things for sharpening my pencils and pencil crayons and they're really dull. I also need a better computer/photoshop to edit them on, so it might be a few days before I post them (I have some other old book textures too.)