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I am fascinated by the rich cultural impact that folkloric creatures and mythological monsters have, especially by what determines a 'monster'. Be it a parable, a contemporary fear, othering or simply a warning, monsters have been the tools of cultures to embody something greater than its concept. We have seen a revival, of sorts, of bestiaries in games such as The Witcher; with it's compendium of monstrous creatures that serve to disrupt or threaten the people's contemporary way of life.
My aim in writing this journal-styled bestiary was to create a world in which readers could immerse themselves: this world would unravel with each entry, depicting a place that is both inhabited by outlandish creates and yet not so different from our own home. This project started as a tool for table-top roleplaying sessions, in which players could consult the pages of a digital or printed bestiary in order to cite weaknesses and form strategies. However, the entries gradually evolved into a detailed zoology, with a biopic of the writer interspersed throughout their philosophical musings on biological balances and human interference.
Many of the designs, styled to be sketched in the field through observation, were drawn through reference to 3D printed models readily available to purchase online. This is a layover from the original intent being to have players or those running a game to print models that corresponded with the creatures listed in the bestiary. As this project continues, I endeavor to turn away from solely Witcher-based influences and engage with the work of other artists, modern and medieval alike. In doing so, I seek to create wholly original visual interpretations that align with the rich array of folkloric, mythological and cryptid monsters as they have been depicted across time. I would also like to intertwine certain biological mechanics of own world's creatures with the marvellous nature of fictitious monsters, in order to apply a sense of logic and understanding to the weirdly wonderous monsters of yore.
Bertilak's Bestiary
