Altocello
| Fan | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Altocello |
| Alias(es): | Cello |
| Type: | fan artist |
| Fandoms: | Merlin, Merlin RPF, Outlander, The Magicians, Star Wars Sequel Trilogy |
| Communities: | |
| Other: | |
| URL: | AO3, DeviantArt, Tumblr, PillowFort, Dreamwidth |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Altocello is a talented fan artist known for her beautifully detailed realistic work as well as her clever line art, incorporating both original ideas and intelligently chosen references.
She has done significant work in the BBC Merlin fandom, with a penchant for the character Merlin (played by Colin Morgan), though she is ready, willing and able to work with characters less likely to feature in fan art, such as Gaius.
She has also worked in other fandoms, including Outlander, The Magicians, Good Omens, and the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, with a particular focus on the Rey/Kylo Ren relationship and the actor Adam Driver (who plays Kylo Ren).
Altocello regularly takes part in fannish challenges and fests, such as the After Camlann Big Bang and the Merlin Celtic Animal Project for Merlin.
Styles and Themes
Cello's signature styles include her 'playing card' illustrations, featuring line art and a close attention to symbolism. In some images, the same character is shown from the waist up and mirrored on a card - just as the king, queen and jack images are mirrored on regular playing cards. In other images, two different characters are 'mirrored', often illustrating a binary or symbiotic relationship such as Merlin and Arthur being two sides of the same coin, or Rey and Kylo Ren representing the Light and Dark sides of the Force.
The "Alban Cards" (see below) are an excellent example. Altocello describes them thus:
"Alban Arthan and Alban Helfin": In which Arthur is the Oak King, the God of waxing light, and Merlin is the other side of his coin as the Holly King, the God of waning light.
"Alban Eilir and Alban Elfed": In which I drew the two Queens of Camelot: Gwen is Goddess of Spring, who brings the promise of light and new life, and Morgana is the other side of her coin as Goddess of Autumn, who reaps the final harvest, deals the mortal wound to the King of Light, and brings the balance back in favor of the dark. [1]
Some of Cello's artwork quite properly requires (demands!) a quick application of talent and enthusiasm (e.g. "Adam Driver in an hour").
However, Cello often puts a great deal of thought into her artwork. For example, "Quiet Breathing" (see below), shows Arthur recovering from his mortal wounds in Avalon. Cello's end notes on AO3 mention artistic inspiration from Aubrey Beardsley's illustrations for an edition of "L'Morte d'Arthur", as well as literary inspiration from John Keats' "Endymion" and T.H. White's "The Once and Future King". The choice of imagery for the border also carries meaning:
The flowers in the frame are peonies for healing, and daisies for new beginnings. [2]
Examples of Work
"Quiet Breathing": artwork featuring Arthur for an After Camlann Big Bang fic.
"Alban Cards": Arthur as the Oak King and Merlin the Holly King. Guinevere as the Goddess of Spring and Morgana the Goddess of Autumn.
"Contented": a portrait of Richard Wilson for a Merlin RPF Big Bang fic.
"Two of Us Now": Jamie and Claire Fraser from "Outlander".
Merlin Celtic Animals Project: Cello contributed Gaius as Eagle and Balinor as Griffin.
Merlin Zodiac Project: Cello contributed Gaius as Taurus.
Merlin Creature Project: Cello contributed Merlin as (NSFW!) Cerunnos.
References
- ^ Alban Cards, Alban Cards on AO3.
- ^ Arthur in Avalon, Art for Arthur in Avalon on AO3.