Remember, remember, the fifth of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot.


I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot

On November the 5th 1605 one Guy Fawkes was caught by the royal guard guarding in one of the cellars in the palace of Westminster  guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder. Fawkes along with 12 other conspirators had been collecting gunpowder over an extended period of time and intended to use it blow up parliament. Fawkes at first refused to give up his name nor the identity of his co-conspirators but eventually gave in after he had been subjected to severe torture. Guy Fawkes and the rest of the conspirators were then killed, either in battle or by execution.

Illustration for a novel based on the gunpowder plot
For my project I will be doing a series of illustrations for a novel based on the gunpowder plot, a dramatization if you will. These illustration will be heavily inspired by older styles of illustration (etchings, pen and ink, red chalk etc.) but will still have a modern edge (with my own personal touch of course!). I want the illustrations to have a sketchier, looser feel inspired by drawings done by some of the masters of the time (see below).

Preliminary research:

Reference material

drawing techniques of the era to draw inspiration from, (very early baroque period)

Most of the drawings I see of the gunpowder plot are either pen & ink drawings or etchings; while I appreciate those works just fine I decided to take inspiration from other drawing techniques of that era, mainly chalk drawings since I'm trying to inject more colour into my work. Now, I know that most chalk drawings from that era were either done with red or black chalk (sometimes white for highlights) but I thought that If I expanded the colour choice a bit then I could do some really interesting work with muted colours; since I'm merely taking inspiration from these drawings and not trying to copy them completely that should be fine.

Drawings in a similar style from before and after the 17th century & examples of muted colours

Illustration inspirations

Ideas

Initial brainstorming sessions:

Cover - thumbnails

Guy converts to Catholicism - Thumbnails & sketches

Guy Fawkes (guido) in the military - thumbnails & sketches

Guy Fawkes caught - Thumbnails & sketches

Final illustrations

Book cover

Embossed preview

Title page

Guy converts to Catholicism

Guy fawkes caught