The History of the Kingdom of The West
Scrolls

I'm Ready For My Close-Up, Mr. deMille

Photo and Contribution
by Tatiana Nikolaevna Tumanova

I'm Ready For My Close-Up, Mr. deMille
A close-up of the completed miniature. Note that the gold border lines around the text block and the miniature haven't been done as yet although the lines are penciled in, along with the circular enclosures in the bottom of the border for the seals (these held miniature scenes in the original Black Hours). The miniatures in the Black Hours have a slightly odd shape, a sort of modified flat arch. They also have really weird looking triangular bits along the top edges which look to be an early attempt (or perhaps a suggestion?) of Gothic tracery. I couldn't bring myself to add those on as they just looked too dopey -- the border was left as a plain enclosure when it was finally painted in.

Aricia noted that I painted her with her original hair color (she's a platinum fox now). I had honestly not occurred to me to paint her any other way, it's just the image I have of her. Plus the photo I used for reference was from her reign as Princess of Cynagua (an embarrassingly long time ago now) and that's the color her hair was then. It just stuck in my mind.

I had planned on adding a bit more detail to the miniature -- a Pelican medallion on the figure, plus some dangling ribbons with bells depending from the bottom of the side opening on the surcoat (Aricia always added these "cat toys" to her gates of hell). A yellow rose in the collecting basket to symbolize Cynagua. But I was afraid of messing something up, and anyway, I really needed to get started on the big challenge -- drafting up a "floral" border made of medicinal herbs and plants. -- Tatiana Nikolaevna Tumanova

The West Kingdom History Website was created by and is maintained by Hirsch von Henford (mka Ken Mayer).