Beware the kelpie

As I continue to fine tune King Arthur Returns I'm also continuing work on Merlin's bestiary. This is really making a difference to some of the creature scenes in the book, helping me focus and turn up the volume on important descriptors.

Kelpie - pencil on paper

The kelpie is vastly becoming one of the most challenging of my book's beasties.

My first thoughts about the kelpie were simple "It's a powerful horse - a beautiful but deadly, otherworldly looking horse."

As I started drawing I found the look veering into 'my little pony' territory - focussing on it's beauty and etherealness, creating these over-the-top swirling locks to imply its stormy nature. I almost wanted to put a horn on it and call it a unicorn.

A first attempt at kelpie

Yes, the kelpie is a creature of beauty. But what really matters to the story (and its look) is capturing its otherworldly qualities. But, how do you quantify the unreal?

I realised what actually makes the kelpie so alluring is its danger. It's a princely horse, but it's also a wild and dangerous spirit that will drag you to a watery death. And it's cliché, but what's more attractive than a bad boy. So, I needed to increase the danger and mystery.
A friend pointed me to the work of Odilon Redon, a 19th Century French painter. His work is quite rough and impressionistic and often features horses. She pointed me in particular to his "Captive Pegasus" series which is quite dark and moving. MoMA has a glut of his works online and some great catalogues of his work so check him out.

Firstly, size matters. Highland ponies in general are stocky powerful beasts. Actually the first time I saw one I asked why all the horses were pregnant. The kelpie in my mythology is actually a Clydesdale. They are these gentle giants - statuesque and all muscle. The stallions have necks that are half as thick as their body. But they can be quite docile and sweet horses. But a wild horse of any size charging at you is more terrifying than a speeding train (I  have seen someone attacked by a Shetland pony. They are quite vicious!) So, I had to make the kelpie more wild and unkempt. Muck up the hair, make it less sleek, and a little bit mean looking.

The haar on Leith docks

I also wanted it to have a wraith like quality. My original idea of somehow making the hair look like waves wasn't a bad one, but I changed course slightly. One of the most mysterious and magical things about Scotland is the haar, a sea fog. It rolls in from the water and totally envelopes the land, making it impossible to see more than three feet in front of you. Just like the haar, kelpies are creatures of deceptive danger. It looks silvery and pretty but watch your step. You might be lured to your doom. 

I hope you enjoy my take on the kelpie. There are lots more exciting mythical Celtic creatures to see so watch this space on Merlin's Bestiary and the upcoming King Arthur Returns novel!

Check out more from the Bestiary here!

• Eachy
• Giants giants giants
• Cat sidhe
• Gargoyles
• Chimaera
• Dragons, sidhe (fairies), and trows

Hope you enjoy!
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