This is an illustration for a project I am doing for a study abroad in Italy course i took last semester. I chose to make a bestiary or book of beasts. I have finished 3 of 5 creature illustrations so far.
Each is painted in gouache and detailed with Prismacolor pencils on Bristol board. Each drawing is then matted over with a sheet of 11" x 14" calligraphy parchment that contains the text describing each beast as well as decorative borders and an illuminated letter designed specifically for each beast by me.
There is also a cover made from wood covered in black pleaster on the outside and purple crushed velvet on the inside with decorative, antiqued embossed aluminum borders and cornercaps, the front is adorned with rhinstones and plastic pearls and has a wolf medallion designed by me in the center.

i hope to upload pictures of all this when i can..

here is my description by this beast, edited by one of my professors:

"An enigmatic creature with the features of human, lion and eagle. The physical form of the species, and its symbolism, vary among the regions where it is found. In Egypt the male Sphinx was most often depicted wingless, a symbol of the pharaoh, guarding temples and tombs. In Greece, the female Sphinx was considered taciturn and dangerous; a killer with a taste for human flesh, who toys with her victims before dining on them. Using a human voice, she confronts her prey with a riddle. If he offers the right answer, the Sphinx may let him go free, but may turn self-destructive in frustration. Yet, if the victim guesses wrong the Sphinx will pounce and strangle him to death, revealing the origin of her name: ‘Sphinx,’ in Greek “to strangle.” All Sphinx are descended from the Titan Echidna, who is also mother to the Hydra and the hellhound Cerberus."

Do NOT use image/text without written authorization by me. kthnx.