A recent project of mine may be a wee bit curious regarding the matters of heraldic design. I had to design and to paint a family coat and the client’s idea was to use a lion Argent and a greyhound Or, both rampant and facing one another.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sPiVp5N3GVk/STrge0XofYI/AAAAAAAAAdE/LIqfkAtlFfQ/s400/king3.jpgMy initial draft
But this looked like a struggle, a “combatant” attitude; the client did not imply that.
I changed (hopefully) the effect by inserting a fleur-de-lis, so the beasts had a common occupation The final painting
Very nicely done. I prefer the second option with the beasts supporting the fleur de lys.
Yes I think the placing of the Fleur-de-Lys between the Lion and the Greyhound clearly makes them seem less "Combatant". I might add that I find the way of displaying the Crest quite ingenious.
Yes, tehy seem less to battle than to support the fleur de lys. Though I must admit I do enjoy the first design where a dog has the bravery to face a lion. Somewhat amusing, too, since it still is a feline.
A dog…feline?!! How about canine?
No, the lion. It is amusing that a dog would fight a lion, as if it were any other feline.
Very nice, and a good solution. My compliments as usual to your artistic skill, as well.
P.S. Though you do a very good job in all facets, I always seem to be very impressed by your treatment of the helms.
Very nice solution. Did you consider at all placing them addorsed? That may have made it appear they were snubbing each other but then you could have intertwined their tails which would have looked like a connection of affection. It is done now but I’m curious to know if you considered it.
I do not mean to be contrary to everybody else, but I do prefer the first version, a cleaner, more traditional look. For the second option, how about counter-charging the fleur-de-lys?
Yes, cross countercharging the fleur would look nice. This achievement, however, is quite well done just the way it is. Congrats!
very nice design
Friends, thank you all!
The fleur-de-lis per pale Or and Arg. could be artistically better and actually this was my first suggestion; but the symbolic effect would be undesirable. The flower would appear too French and regal. It also should not be specifically Marian. And I was unwilling to add extra tinctures. Whence the resulting version.
In the first example, from a knee jerk reaction, I found it to have a rather potentially Scottish feel, from the colors and the lion rampant to the rather Pictish or Gaelic styled charges. in the second example I didn’t get this feeling at all. The change in the style of art as well as the addition of the fleur-de-lis and the different helm and crest, changed the flavor of the arms in a marked way. I like both examples but I think perhaps the latter a bit more.
Marcus K;64995 wrote:
Yes I think the placing of the Fleur-de-Lys between the Lion and the Greyhound clearly makes them seem less "Combatant". I might add that I find the way of displaying the Crest quite ingenious.
I have to say I like both crest presentations. I can’t chose between the mantling styles at all, I like them both as well.
dr.h.roth;65008 wrote:
I do not mean to be contrary to everybody else, but I do prefer the first version, a cleaner, more traditional look. For the second option, how about counter-charging the fleur-de-lys?
I have to throw in with Dr. Roth and join his camp. The first draft has a more pristine and ancient feel to it, as if it is ready for the battlefield; the second draft seems more "gentrified," as if were a product from the Louis XVI period, suitable only for carved mantlepieces or statuary.
If I were your client, I’d choose the former.
Both renditions are masterfully executed—I just prefer the former. As "our" Mike says, "de gustibus, etc."
Cheers!
—Guy
Both are beautiful examples of your work, Michael. However, I, too, like the first better than the second. I would have been interested in seeing the fleur-de-lis added to your first example. I especially like the mantling on the first. But, as I said, both are wonderful examples of the caliber of your work. Nicely done! I hope your client appreciates your efforts on his/her behalf.