Create for the Throne: Sword and shield

Heard of HBO’s Create for the Throne initiative? In advance of the final season of Game of Thrones, the network drafted 18 artists from around the world to put their stamp on iconic props from the show. You can check out the latest bunch of works, which HBO is calling the Honor Collection, on the Making Game of Thrones page. Let’s look at a few of them below, starting with an Unsullied shield painted by artist Lena Danya:

“I wanted to incorporate water, ships, the Unsullied, the three dragons and Daenerys,” Danya said. “I also rewatched some episodes from Seasons 6 and 7 to better observe the Unsullied armor and the Targaryen fleet — I referenced about eight separate scenes. I created a digital version of the painting by splicing together my references and digitally painting on different elements to map out where everything would go on the shield. After prepping the shield, I drew out the shapes and outlines in chalk and proceeded with oil paint.”

"I’m so used to creating paintings on completely flat surfaces, where light reflects evenly. The shield was curved and had a protruding center point, so when it came to painting the top of the shield, too much light reflected off those areas and it was hard to see values accurately. With painting the bottom of the shield, not enough light was reaching certain areas, causing them to appear darker. To combat this, I had to shift the position and height of my easel constantly, as well as my lighting set up."

I see the final scene of “The Winds of Winter” heavily featured in that shield. I’m gonna go ahead and vote that Dany mass produce these suckers for everyone in her army.

Next, Robert Ball — the artist behind the Beautiful Death series of Game of Thrones illustrations — tries his hand at depicting Oathkeeper, Brienne’s Valyrian steel sword:

Ball explained what he was going for with the imagery:

"Before I put pen to paper, I boiled it down to what I think is the most interesting, simple aspect of the Oathkeeper story — the compelling story here is that Ned Stark’s sword, Ice, has found its way back into the service of the Stark family: it’s as if it has a will of its own. Then, I thought to bring to life Oathkeeper’s most notable onscreen moment — the execution of Stannis Baratheon during his failed siege of Winterfell. I tried to achieve this through symbolism, and the opposing colors of ice and fire, blues and reds."

Right in the head! “There are details to help the story along,” Ball continued. “I’ve turned Oathkeeper’s lion head pommel into a wolf, for instance, and included the red comet which was seen as an omen of victory for the Lannisters. This image allowed me to look at a story that spanned a few seasons, and bring elements in right from the start of Season 1 — and even before that (the fire takes on the shape of dragon’s wings, referencing the forging of Ice).” Also notice that it’s Ned, not Brienne, who’s standing ominously in the back of the image.

Finally, painter Eva Eskalinen gives her striking take on a Stark shield:

“I listed out things that came to my mind,” Eskalinen explained, “the family members, the Wall and beyond, the direwolves, the Godswood, and the Three-Eyed Raven. Thematically I wanted the design to represent the Stark family and their story: who have we lost, who still remain and what kind of supernatural powers are at play in the North and how are they connected.”

"Being from Finland, I believe that the harsh nature and climate shape people, like the Starks — the individual grit, perseverance and the strength of the pack that are needed to survive. The Starks are all quite stern and serious in my illustration; the snow and the dark forests are there as well. The style of the illustration is rather graphic, borrowing inspiration from medieval art and Scandinavian design — which I hoped will bring out the rawness and bareness I associate with the North."

This is probably my favorite of the new pieces. I dig how Eskalinen turned the standard direwolf sigil into Ghost specifically, with the white fur and red eyes, and I love the savage, almost primitive edge she brings to her images. That’s a frightening shield.

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You can see even more artwork here!

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