11/03/2020
In the process of working on the winter subscription boxes for Crowglass Design, I needed to sketch an Arctic Cod.
The art style for the box is a fusion of Scythian and La Tène, with a contemporary skew that will communicate a specific greater meaning while also being just plain compelling to look at. Scythian and La Tène, were chosen because I wanted to explore the relationship between the two , as well as the fact that they both echo my heritage.
I began with the general shape and habit from this La Tène scabbard [https://balkancelts.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/a-frg-2.jpg], added in features from this Scythian goldwork fish from the Vettersfelde Treasure [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/Altes_Museum_Berlin_%2811%29.JPG], such as the spirals on the tail, and the detailing from this lion [https://c8.alamy.com/comp/HT14TR/lion-statuette-9th-century-bc-artist-scythian-art-HT14TR.jpg].
Then, I took into consideration the features of the actual fish.
The final result will change when I rework it in Illustrator—for one thing, without the linework it'll look less like a startled cartoon—but this provides a good place to start.
