Krampus, The assistant of Santa Claus. Illustration step by step.

In this opportunity I will show you step by step my most recent illustration, with which I participated in the call for Sinister Christmas horror story reading forum and collective exhibition held at Kalathos Café Bookstore, Art Center The Warehouses; organized by the community of Zombiexquisito.

The Call

The call was made by the community of Zombiexquisito to all the illustrators who wish to participate in this experience called Sinister Christmas. In it each artist had to make an illustration based on a Christmas story fused with the terror that characterizes this community. The works would be exhibited at Kalathos Librería Café, Centro de Arte Los Galpones, while a series of readings of horror stories was being carried out.

The history

In the research process I found the story of Krampus a character that accompanied Santa Claus; While he rewarded good children, Krampus punished the disobedient.
Here is a brief review:

We all know the legend of Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus or whatever he is called ... But behind the image of a generous and friendly Santa Claus with the children there existed in the past a diabolic pagan legend of Christmas that has recently reborn, is that of the Krampus that is celebrated on December 5, the eve of the day of St. Nicholas.
Since the 16th century in almost all of Europe, but mainly in Austria, Hungary, Germany, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia and some parts of northern Italy, on the 5th of December the night of Krampus was celebrated. That night the children had to leave their shoes at the door of their room, since San Nicolás would come to confirm that for their excellent behavior they were worthy of gifts. According to the legend Santa Claus did not travel alone, his companion was Krampus, a devilish character covered with hair, with a long red tongue, long horns and sometimes carrying a birch brush or a trident, it was so dangerous that San Nicolás controlled it with strong chains.
While St. Nicholas rewarded good children with gifts and sweets, Krampus on the other hand took care of the disobedient to whom he filled his shoes with charcoal or rotten potatoes. Depending on their faults Krampus could also punish them with their birch brush, or worse the very naughty kidnap them by loading them into their sack to devour them in Hell. In fact, the iconography of the Krampus, spread through Christmas cards, postcards and children's books, was terrifying enough to maintain the discipline of children, there was Krampus being beaten, tortured and even cooking the creatures in oil.
In those days in Europe the Krampus were festivals and carnivals of pagan roots. During the first week of December, men disguised themselves as Krampus with the purpose of persecuting children and adults. Those nights of terror and masquerade became so popular that eventually on December 5 Krampusnacht was officially declared, or Krampus Night. The worship of Krampus was so common that it was normal to receive Christmas cards with the message "Grus Vom Krampus" which translates, "Greetings from Krampus." But in the 19th century the church gradually forbade the Krampusnacht as a celebration of the celebration of demon.

[Krampus, the forgotten forgotten legend of Christmas] (https://es.paperblog.com/feliz-krampus-krampus-la-siniestra-leyenda-olvidada-de-navidad-365267/) </ center>

The Sketch Process

Taking into account the cited text and the description that there is exposed of the character in question and their actions, I took some references to start the illustration.
As always, I made the illustration by hand, so my main tools were pencil, paper and eraser. So I started the first sketch in which I placed the structure with soft lines that will allow me to place each character in their place.

Once the characters were located I decided to give details to each of them, starting with the two that are in the foreground that are frightened children and held by a great language.

Finally between the shadows in the background appear the eyes of Krampus, the rest of his long tongue and the text that gives title to the illustration.

The Coloring Process

For this scary illustration, taking into account that the malevolent character comes out of the shadows, I decided to use a black card as a base and color on it with colored pencils to give life to the characters. Taking this decision, I started to start coloring, again for the characters that are in the foreground.

Then and finally I gave life to the eyes that come out of the shadows belonging to * Krampus *, as well as the tongue that rolls and squeezes the children who scream scared. Finishing with the text that gives name to the blank illustration to give more contrast.

After the coloring, I digitized through a photograph and with some editing in terms of brightness and contrasts, this was the final result.

The event

Once the work was sent and approved, I managed to participate in the event and here are some photographs that show the pleasant evening that took place at Kalathos Librería Café, Los Galpones Art Center.

In addition to my participation, my student had a special participation with only 9 years old and here we are both proud of our work.

The photos of the event are my responsibility
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See you in the next Post!!!