Designing the Snow Queen's Palace

Today I've begun to sketch some ideas for the ice palace featured in the story. Although the words "ice palace" makes me imagine of many different ideas, I didn't want to just draw what I first came to me, so I started by drawing buildings from life including Winchester church which looked quite elaborate and grand, similar to what I had in mind for the ice palace. I also sketched some palaces from the 1800s.

Aside from drawing real buildings I did some study sketches of ice stalactites and icebergs; things made of ice that had a certain structure to them. I think icebergs are great for this as they are quite isolated yet grand to look at which is how the ice palace is portrayed as - it is a representation of the Snow Queen herself - as she is is also an isolated and beautiful figure.

I am going to use both within my design for the palace. 

A Trip to The New Forest

Today I went to the New Forest with Emma to draw from life and gain inspiration for our projects. It was a beautiful day, (although very muddy!) and we spent a good four hours taking photos and sketching trees and scenery which are heavily featured in our illustrations.

Trees and path, useful for illustrating Gerda leaving in the carriage

Could be used as an image when Gerda is being dragged away by the river on boat?

Still lake. Could be interpreted as ice in the Snow Queen's palace

And some observational sketches...

Overall these will be very helpful and inspiring in creating images for my book!