Fan-Art: GizTheGunslinger and King Richard III

Our presented fan-artist today is well known in the fan community:

GizTheGunslinger

Before we will reveal her amazing artwork for our King Richard, we ask her some questions about herself and her fandom.

How did you find Richard Armitage and what was your first encounter with this British actor?

I saw him for the first time in 2008 in “Robin Hood” and I was immediately struck by this actor. Of course at that time I only thought: “Gosh, he is so alluring”. Then there was: “What a marvelous actor he is!”. And now I think I can say with certainty that he is also a very good person.

When and how did you find / get involved in the Richard Armitage fandom?

First of all I searched for the Russian RH web-site where I found out who played Sir Guy of Gisborne. For a long period of time my obsession didn’t leave these “borders”. But then I found some wonderful RA web-sites and forums. I can’t say that I am an active user there, but I like to read what other people write. And I am really impressed by many wonderful ladies whom I met there.

What interests you most about King Richard III?

I think the most interesting thing to me about him is the way he is shown in different literary works and films. I think it’ll be very interesting to see how Mr. A would present this ambiguous person from his point of view.

Can you share a for you very special fan-event / moment determining your interest in Richard Armitage / King Richard with us?

I was interested in Medieval history from my childhood. It began with myths, legends and eposes (especially those from England and Iceland). Then I was carried away by the Crusades, knights and the whole spirit of this period of time. Historical facts about Richard III were particularly gripping.

When I heard that Mr. A wants to make a film about this king I was pleasantly surprised. With his scrupulous approach to every work I think he’d make very accurate and thrilling film.

Just some days ago me and my sister were watching “Anonymous” and there was a moment when they were staging a play on Shakespeare’s “Richard III” and one of the heroes said something like:
“The main villain in history”.
I snorted and nudged my sister.
“You were drawing him recently” – she laughed.

Do your friends / family / colleagues share your fandom / admiration for King Richard, GizTheGunslinger?

Unfortunately, nobody shares my interest in King Richard, so I am here on my own. But I am very happy that you made this wonderful site dedicated to our King Richard III.

How did you come to do drawings / paintings?

As long as I remember I was always drawing something. Though it all began with… dinosaurs. I drew only these huge reptiles.

At the age of 11 I read “Harry Potter” and thought that I wanna draw people too.

But only when I discovered Tolkien books I seriously thought about my drawing skills. I wanted to portray the heroes of Middle-Earth. However, even LOTR wasn’t that stimulus which made me draw portraits.

You may guess where I am leading to.

Only after I discovered Richard I began drawing the way I do it now. When I am looking through his photos I’m always noticing those from which I could draw a picture.

The artwork looks so very professional and the creative composition is amazing. Are you a professional illustrator? When seeing your drawing, we immediately thought about a book illustration or a film with your work.

Unfortunately I am not. I am just a boring economist (valuer). Or I’d rather say I am preparing to be the one of many as I am still studying at the University. But I am already thinking about the second higher education. And this time it’ll be something artistic, some kind of design I think (landscape or costumes).
P.S.: Oh, I would like to see a film with any of my drawings too 😀

Would you like to share some of your favourite inspirations, spots, websites, blog, etc. on the internet?

Well, the main inspirers are all wonderful RA-web-sites and blogs, such as

RichardArmitageNet.Com,

RAOnline,

RACentral and of course our

Russian Armitage-Online.ucoz.ru;

Nat’s blog,

RAFrenzy,

ZeldaT,

BccMee and dozens of other great people who run their own blogs and sites. I just think I can’t exploit the situation to express my thankfulness to that entire people.

Also I get inspiration from the other drawings and paintings.

Among my favourite artists are Salvador Dali (http://www.virtualdali.com/),

Claude Monet (http://www.claudemonetgallery.org/) and

Hieronymus Bosch (http://www.hieronymus-bosch.org/).

And two most fave illustrators: Alan Lee and John Howe (http://www.john-howe.com/).

But the main inspiration is RA himself, all Tolkien books and music (especially Depeche Mode http://www.depechemode.com/).

You are very famous for your fan-videos. What artwork did you create / can you share with us?

If you want to, you can see other my drawings here:
http://gizthegunslinger.deviantart.com/gallery/

These are not all I drew. Many pictures I just don’t upload anywhere. Also I like making videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/GizTheGunslinger
Some years ago I even tried to write stories about my own fictional world. But after several chapters I thought that it all look like a plagiarism. So I gave it up. I was even writing poetry, but gosh, it’s so hard to find a rhyme to a word. And now I am trying to sort out photoshop.

After seeing the following drawing by GizTheGunslinger, I am sure you will like to check out all her resources and recommendations.

King Richard III by GizTheGunslinger

Here are some close up images of this fierce King Richard III with his banner and in full battle armour:
(Please click on one of the images to see it in more detail.)

The closeups show nicely the wonderful details GizTheGunslinger has enwoven into the drawing of King Richard:

The stamping on his cuirass is the emblem of the House of York; fleur-de-lis (king’s lily) on his shoulder. And the banner he is holding is the personal banner of Richard III which he borne at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. It is a swallow-tailed pennant with the cross of St. George at the hoist, the fly divided blue over red, with a white boar and white roses (of York) over all.

As comparison, here are pictures of the banner and coat of arms:

Personal banner of King Richard III – Source: CRWFlags

Royal Arms of England – Source: Wikimedia.org

Thank you very much, GizTheGunslinger, for this wonderful interview and the so skillful artwork full of historical detail. It shows such attention to either King Richard III and Mr. Armitage. 

Phylly posted a new article with a collection of wonderful fan-art concerning ‘our’ King Richard.

All further contributions and previous blog posts are collected on the

Richard-Fan-Art page

Here you find a collection of fan-art and links to all related blog posts.

Have lots of fun and enjoy !

P.S.: Please contact us here when you are ready with your creations, may it be drawings, paintings, text, poetry or freestyle. The form of expression is entirely up to you. We are looking forward to present you and your work on KingRichardArmitage.

P.P.S.: Don’t forget to sign the petition to support the filming project “Richard III” by Richard Armitage, if you have not done so already ;o)