Gregg Kopsa :: Elric

Elric summoning Arioch

6 Comments - 9,046 Views - 1 Like

Artwork Details

Title:	Elric summoning Arioch
Artist:	Craig Hamilton (All)
Media Type:	Colored Pencils
Art Type:	Commission
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	9,046
Likes on CAF:	1 2
Comments:	6
Added to Site:	3/19/2010
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Here is what Craig Hamilton the artist wrote about this piece.

Michael Moorcock's Elric is the albino wizard king who wields the vampiric black sword, Stormbringer. In this, my first drawing of Elric, he is confronting Arioch, god of chaos, who appears as an amorphous shadow, a fly, or a beautiful golden youth. Thanks to my friend, Randall who was a superb model and great inspiration for Arioch. I modeled for Elric myself, a character I've always identified with, so it may be strange that I didn't draw him sooner. Considering I spent 1600 hours on this 18x22' piece, I must have been building up to it over the years.

More on Elric

Elric was the last emperor of the stagnating island civilization of Melnibon�. Physically weak and frail, the albino Elric must take drugs - later retconned to mean special herbs - in order to maintain his health. In addition to herb lore, his character becomes an accomplished sorcerer and summoner, able to summon powerful, supernatural allies by dint of his royal Melnibon�an bloodline. Unlike most others of his race, Elric possesses something of a conscience; he sees the decadence of his culture, and worries about the rise of the Young Kingdoms, populated by humans (as Melniboneans do not consider themselves such) and the threat they pose to his empire. Because of his introspective self-loathing of Melnibon�an traditions, his subjects find him odd and unfathomable, and his cousin Yrkoon (next in the line of succession, as Elric has no heirs) interprets his behavior as weakness and plots Elric's death.

As emperor of Melnibon�, Elric wears the Ring of Kings, also called the Ring of Actorios, Elric is able to call for aid upon the traditional patron of the Melnibon� emperors, Arioch, a Lord of Chaos and Duke of Hell. From the first story onwards, Elric is shown using ancient pacts and agreements with not only Arioch but various other beings - some gods, some demons - to assist him in accomplishing his tasks.

Elric's finding of the sword Stormbringer serves as both his greatest asset and greatest disadvantage. Forged in the distant past, the sword confers upon Elric strength, health and fighting prowess but must be fed the souls of those struck with the black blade. In the end, the blade takes everyone close to Elric and eventually Elric's own soul as well. Most of Moorcock's stories about Elric feature this relationship with Stormbringer, and how it - despite Elric's best intentions - brings doom to everything the Melnibon�an holds dear.

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About the Owner

	gregg kopsa
Joined:	November 2003
Last Login:	April 2023
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Peter P
Member Since 2009

Posted on 4/11/2010

Amazing piece!

M Collector
Member Since 2010

Posted on 11/18/2010

Wonderful image. I've always been a big fan of Craigs and this image is really strong.

Kevin West
Member Since 2008

Posted on 9/20/2012

Dude, this piece is incredible!

gregg kopsa
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 9/27/2012

Kevin West wrote:

Dude, this piece is incredible!

Thanks, when I first saw this piece I returned to Craigs site over and over becoming mesmerized every time I looked. I could not believe when I saw it for sell on ebay, it is unbelievably beautiful in person. It is amazing that this is colored by pencils. Thanks so much for you comment.

Ken Z
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 5/5/2016

OK Gregg, I don't know why I never left a comment on this, but you've had this for 6 years now. Are you ready to give it up? I still have one of the prelim drawings but every time I see this piece, I marvel at the same fact that it's all done with colored pencils too. I see this as Craig's greatest work.

Ryan M
Member Since 2015

Posted on 2/6/2018

Simply amazing piece!! So jealous!

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