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DRACULA has been called "one of the top ten most recognizable names in the English-speaking world" (World Index). The character behind the name has been with us in one way or another since the early 15th century and Vlad the Impaler.
The literary Romanian vampire began thrilling (chilling?) audiences around the world in stage plays performed in the late 1800s. But the “Son of the Dragon” did not achieve the widespread recognition he enjoys until Bela Lugosi portrayed him on the movie screen.
Lugosi, who had earlier played the part in the long-running stage play, had to learn all his lines phonetically because he could not read English. That, combined with his thick Hungarian accent, his deliberately chosen manner of speaking, and his aristocratic bearing made an indelible impression on audiences seeing Universal Studio’s “Dracula” when it first debuted in 1931.
Pictured here in the memorable scene from the movie, the undead vampire slowly descends the stairs of his centuries old decayed castle to meet Jonathan Harker for the first time. The Count greets him and us with the by-now-unforgettable words,
“I am ... Dracula. I bid you ... velcome.”
The literary Romanian vampire began thrilling (chilling?) audiences around the world in stage plays performed in the late 1800s. But the “Son of the Dragon” did not achieve the widespread recognition he enjoys until Bela Lugosi portrayed him on the movie screen.
Lugosi, who had earlier played the part in the long-running stage play, had to learn all his lines phonetically because he could not read English. That, combined with his thick Hungarian accent, his deliberately chosen manner of speaking, and his aristocratic bearing made an indelible impression on audiences seeing Universal Studio’s “Dracula” when it first debuted in 1931.
Pictured here in the memorable scene from the movie, the undead vampire slowly descends the stairs of his centuries old decayed castle to meet Jonathan Harker for the first time. The Count greets him and us with the by-now-unforgettable words,
“I am ... Dracula. I bid you ... velcome.”
Category All / All
Species Lion
Size 835 x 600px
File Size 49.5 kB
Ever read the actual book by Bram Stoker? Aside from the fact that it is different than the movie, like most books, it is written in a rather unique format. It is written from various points of view in the form of pages from various people's journals. I have to dig up my copy and see if The Count ever acutally says "I bid you welcome." Probably like Holmes never said "Elementry my dear Watson" in any of the original Cannon Doyle stories.
Thank you, Anbessa. :)
I really wanted to capture the cold chilling atmosphere of the scene and to project the charm/menace attraction/repulsion that is Dracula's vampire personality. Limiting the colors to just the faint candle and to the pale undead vampire I hope achieves that.
I really wanted to capture the cold chilling atmosphere of the scene and to project the charm/menace attraction/repulsion that is Dracula's vampire personality. Limiting the colors to just the faint candle and to the pale undead vampire I hope achieves that.
Okay, I will. *puts on movie critic hat*
Briefly, F.W. Murnau directed the silent film “Nosferatu” in 1922. The film industry at that time was not as scrupulous about copyrights as the international film industry is today. The German film was largely based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel which Stoker’s widow defended vigorously. She won the suit brought against the film and had all copies of it hunted down and destroyed – except one that managed to escape the lawyers’ and courts’ attentions. So, like the movie Dracula, the film escaped the “stakes” of the vampire hunters and went on to various sequels and incarnations even to this day.
Murnau used a lot of abstract shadowing in the sets of his “Nosferatu” and ahead-of-his-time make-up for the lead character in the movie. A movie that approaches modern-day abstract art and 19th century Gothic horror at the same time. Nosferatu is a horror classic.
Briefly, F.W. Murnau directed the silent film “Nosferatu” in 1922. The film industry at that time was not as scrupulous about copyrights as the international film industry is today. The German film was largely based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel which Stoker’s widow defended vigorously. She won the suit brought against the film and had all copies of it hunted down and destroyed – except one that managed to escape the lawyers’ and courts’ attentions. So, like the movie Dracula, the film escaped the “stakes” of the vampire hunters and went on to various sequels and incarnations even to this day.
Murnau used a lot of abstract shadowing in the sets of his “Nosferatu” and ahead-of-his-time make-up for the lead character in the movie. A movie that approaches modern-day abstract art and 19th century Gothic horror at the same time. Nosferatu is a horror classic.
It's interesting to note that in the book Dracula was deliberately trying to rid himself of his accent in order to blend in better. He could also move about during the day, even abiding sunlight, though he hated it and was weakened by it. I have often wondered, though, what the furry equivalent of a werewolf would be...
Interesting question, Indagare. Being already furry to begin with, I don't think werewolves have to change very much to be labeled as furries -- except perhaps to feature slightly more prominent <ahem> equipment "down there" to please the tastes of some.
:)
But then there’s that other thing about werewolves. Remember the to-do a while ago about “cub art”? Imagine the whirlwind of criticism there would be after a few throats were ripped out by werewolves!
If werewolves were to be included in Furry I definitely think they would be classified in the category of the “Bad Boys of Furry”.
:D
:)
But then there’s that other thing about werewolves. Remember the to-do a while ago about “cub art”? Imagine the whirlwind of criticism there would be after a few throats were ripped out by werewolves!
If werewolves were to be included in Furry I definitely think they would be classified in the category of the “Bad Boys of Furry”.
:D
Well furry to furry transformations are very rarely done, usually it's a human being upgraded ;)
The problem is that not all werewolves in classic literature were mindless killers. You did have nuts but there were also werewolves like Sir Marrok who were good werewolves. Much like with furry, attention is only given to the crazies. Wolves in general along with bats, and rats have been maligned to the point that only in modern times are people realizing how important these creature are in nature. Wolves were hunted to the point of extinction because of false beliefs held by Europeans. I fear the continued bad rap they get thanks to Hollywood werewolves and movies showing them as villains only continues to put them in danger...
The problem is that not all werewolves in classic literature were mindless killers. You did have nuts but there were also werewolves like Sir Marrok who were good werewolves. Much like with furry, attention is only given to the crazies. Wolves in general along with bats, and rats have been maligned to the point that only in modern times are people realizing how important these creature are in nature. Wolves were hunted to the point of extinction because of false beliefs held by Europeans. I fear the continued bad rap they get thanks to Hollywood werewolves and movies showing them as villains only continues to put them in danger...
Yay! I am absolutely in love with vampire myths. I must say you look handsome in old that old attire as well. It reminds me of the old old original vampire movies, with the clueless miaden being hypnotized only to be swooped away by her lover...except I don't think she'd want to get away in this case ;)
The hair makes him look rather like Lucius Malfoy from the Harry Potter series. One of the odd things about the vampire myth is the strong sexual attraction between the vampire and his/her victims. Of course, being me I have to wonder what would happen if someone brought a gay man across. Would he wear a rainbow cape instead of black?
I like Lucius! So aristocratic. So refined and sexy. :)
Funny that you should mention it, but in a stage version of the story, the stage "Count" put the lip-lock on the neck of Jonathan Harker, the young man whom the vampire is greeting in the scene I have depicted above. Then after having "fed", the vampire lifts Harker up in his arms and carries him off the stage. The homoeroticism of the scene was hard to disguise and so it was not included in the 1931 movie that followed.
A gay vampire, say on Fire Island? 'Oh that would suck!'
"Half the men here already do, sweetie!" might be the type of limp-wristed dialogue delivered in the movie.
;)
Funny that you should mention it, but in a stage version of the story, the stage "Count" put the lip-lock on the neck of Jonathan Harker, the young man whom the vampire is greeting in the scene I have depicted above. Then after having "fed", the vampire lifts Harker up in his arms and carries him off the stage. The homoeroticism of the scene was hard to disguise and so it was not included in the 1931 movie that followed.
A gay vampire, say on Fire Island? 'Oh that would suck!'
"Half the men here already do, sweetie!" might be the type of limp-wristed dialogue delivered in the movie.
;)
Unless there's a specific reason, as in this case, I generally portray my lionmorph's manes like human long-hair. A trademark of my style I guess. But in the 1931 movie and most of the ones that followed it, the Count portrayed by Lugosi wore his hair combed straight back which gave the character a formal look. Since lions already have their manes "combed" up and torwards the back in front I thought it was obvious to continue the style.
Working with shades of black can be very tricky, especially considering the varience of computer monitors among the viwers. That and it is next to impossible to put in very many defining details when using black in a medium to distant shot.
Working with shades of black can be very tricky, especially considering the varience of computer monitors among the viwers. That and it is next to impossible to put in very many defining details when using black in a medium to distant shot.
Thank you, Meanbeard.
I did think about doing this pic in color at first, but thought again that color would make it be too "cheerful". Mostly black and white seems to fit not only the mood I was trying for, but also acknowledges the black and white film that it was inspired from.
I did think about doing this pic in color at first, but thought again that color would make it be too "cheerful". Mostly black and white seems to fit not only the mood I was trying for, but also acknowledges the black and white film that it was inspired from.
This was one of those challenging pictures where I could not really go very far beyond the somewhat stilted acting style of the actor.
That folks "clicked" with what I was doing with this pic is very satisfying. Just goes to show how intelligent people are who see my work.
That folks "clicked" with what I was doing with this pic is very satisfying. Just goes to show how intelligent people are who see my work.
Some modern day vampires keep a "stable" of willing humans in their “homes”. There are a number of reasons why a human might be willing to submit to being a walking “dinner” for an undead. For many, a very small return infusion of vampire blood often-times can reverse the debilitating effects of a number of blood-related diseases such as leukemia, cancer, or even HIV. Whenever you read about an occasional medical story of an “unexplainable remission” of an otherwise fatal disease there is a strong possibility that there is a pair of fangs in the background somewhere. A lesser, though not altogether overlooked side benefit of being a vampire’s “pet” is that it lengthens you life beyond the average. A small number of faded-from-the-spotlight Hollywood stars and starlets have retained their youthful appearances in this fashion.
There is a whole raft of very good reasons why one should not rush out into the night shouting, “Bite me! Bite me!”
First of all, one must be extremely discerning about who one submits to as a vampiric "master". Blood-drinkers are NOT well known for either truthfulness or restraint. A vampire might agree to take you on as part of his stable, but then kill you the very first time he/she “dines” with you. Then there’s the distinct possibility of him losing control of himself when drinking and drain you to death. “Good to the last drop,” is an excuse or joke that is widely heard among the bat-folk.
As to a pet being turned into a vampire, most people would not make a good vampire for a number of reasons. Personality, appearance, age, social position or emotional stability are things that a vampire takes into consideration when contemplating turning a pet into a vampire. On top of that, and perhaps most importantly, no sane (?) vampire creates additional competitors for the area’s blood supply without a very good reason for it.
There is a whole raft of very good reasons why one should not rush out into the night shouting, “Bite me! Bite me!”
First of all, one must be extremely discerning about who one submits to as a vampiric "master". Blood-drinkers are NOT well known for either truthfulness or restraint. A vampire might agree to take you on as part of his stable, but then kill you the very first time he/she “dines” with you. Then there’s the distinct possibility of him losing control of himself when drinking and drain you to death. “Good to the last drop,” is an excuse or joke that is widely heard among the bat-folk.
As to a pet being turned into a vampire, most people would not make a good vampire for a number of reasons. Personality, appearance, age, social position or emotional stability are things that a vampire takes into consideration when contemplating turning a pet into a vampire. On top of that, and perhaps most importantly, no sane (?) vampire creates additional competitors for the area’s blood supply without a very good reason for it.
Interesting. Where did you get this from? It makes me think of my story.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1848839/
I think it would interest you two. (It's the first 7 parts, I have more in my gallery.)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1848839/
I think it would interest you two. (It's the first 7 parts, I have more in my gallery.)
Nice. You know, Countess Elizabeth Bathory wa really the one who inspired the vampire myths; Vlad the Impaler only added to it. I'm sure you know what Bathory was famous for...
Anyway, got the PERFECT song for this pic:
http://homepage.mac.com/viper.fox/b...../suspended.mp3
Anyway, got the PERFECT song for this pic:
http://homepage.mac.com/viper.fox/b...../suspended.mp3
Bram Stoker created the quintessential fictional vampire with his Victorian era shocker, "Dracula" that was loosely based on Vlad. I do not know of any novels based on Bathory. And, as for pedigree, Countess Elizabeth Bathory was born 84 years after Vlad the Impaler’s death in 1476 making it rather difficult for her to come before Vlad in the way of vampire lore.
Ahhh.... I see. Thank you for correcting my misconception, Lionus. Though many will say that the story of Elizabeth Bathory did play a big part in developing the vampire myths and even that of Dracula, though it would have to be later versions and editions of the story as well as the legends as a whole.
There are many incidences of “vampires”, though not necessarily the classic blood-drinking variety, in our modern day serial-killer all the way from John Wayne Gacey, to Jack the Ripper, to Gilles de Rais and others in the Middle Ages. Enough to make one think twice about casually dismissing the sound of that bump in the night.
Perhaps, but the advantage that Vlad the Impaler and Elizabeth Bathory had the advantage of their crimes and their effects being left up to posterity. They've become legendary. As for Gacy and the others, I think perhaps they need a couple centuries to see if they have what it takes to be passed into legend and the vampire myths.
Not quite sure that Gilles de Rais (“hundreds of young boys“), Jack the Ripper (9 victims), Fritz Harrman (Hanover Germany)(22 victims), Andrei Chikatilo (Rostov Russia, 52 victims) or Gacy, US, 33 victims) will ever be depicted in any media form of entertainment since all of them except the Ripper preyed on children or teen-agers. But I could be wrong. The “Hunger Games” depicts teen-agers killing other teen-agers for the TV entertainment of the masses in the story and it is rather popular at the moment.
Dracula, the Wolfman and the Frankenstein Monster were all make-believe monsters created by their authors to remind us of what is inside us and how fragile the restraints we have in place to keep what is inside us from making us monsters ourselves.
But when those restraints were removed, or perhaps were never there in those real-life serial-killers, how much time will have to pass for us before we no longer feel any revulsion at what they did and it just becomes legend for us?
Dracula, the Wolfman and the Frankenstein Monster were all make-believe monsters created by their authors to remind us of what is inside us and how fragile the restraints we have in place to keep what is inside us from making us monsters ourselves.
But when those restraints were removed, or perhaps were never there in those real-life serial-killers, how much time will have to pass for us before we no longer feel any revulsion at what they did and it just becomes legend for us?
I am one of those artists who work according to personal inspiration -- that is, if something tickles my sense of humor, or makes me respond on some level to the characters then I will feel moved to make a picture of it.
I do not like gore, mess (bathroom) art, cruelty, or ridicule art since that tends to put me into a bad mood that lasts for as long as I am working on the picture.
Oh, and I do not do hard porn (people doing stuff to/with each other) since I am not very good at it.
That said, I will occasionally work on an idea given to me that I think is fun, or shows furs caring about one another (friends, brothers), being caught off guard (in a nice way), sharing an adventure, or -- one of my favorites -- something based on a well-known motion picture or an event taken from History.
The pic on this page, for instance, was based on the 1931 motion picture “DRACULA” and is perhaps the most famous remembered scenes from all the vampire movies ever made. Bela Lugosi was so c-o-o-o-o-l as the Count.
So, in a long round-about fashion, I am saying that I will take an occasional request, but it has to be something that I will find interesting and perhaps present something of an artistic challenge for me in some way -- I like to put in interesting story-telling backgrounds.
Oh, and I can be slow in finishing an artwork.
Take a walk through my gallery to see the type of art that I am most comfortable doing and if your idea comes somewhere close in that style, or can fit into the narrow descriptions I have outlined above then drop me a p-note and we’ll see what we can do.
I do not like gore, mess (bathroom) art, cruelty, or ridicule art since that tends to put me into a bad mood that lasts for as long as I am working on the picture.
Oh, and I do not do hard porn (people doing stuff to/with each other) since I am not very good at it.
That said, I will occasionally work on an idea given to me that I think is fun, or shows furs caring about one another (friends, brothers), being caught off guard (in a nice way), sharing an adventure, or -- one of my favorites -- something based on a well-known motion picture or an event taken from History.
The pic on this page, for instance, was based on the 1931 motion picture “DRACULA” and is perhaps the most famous remembered scenes from all the vampire movies ever made. Bela Lugosi was so c-o-o-o-o-l as the Count.
So, in a long round-about fashion, I am saying that I will take an occasional request, but it has to be something that I will find interesting and perhaps present something of an artistic challenge for me in some way -- I like to put in interesting story-telling backgrounds.
Oh, and I can be slow in finishing an artwork.
Take a walk through my gallery to see the type of art that I am most comfortable doing and if your idea comes somewhere close in that style, or can fit into the narrow descriptions I have outlined above then drop me a p-note and we’ll see what we can do.
Ok! Sounds great! And it looks like we have a lot in common! :) I DONT like the inappropriate, sex related, porn, gore, violence artwork at all. But I do like art that has a story description, cool background, and ECT. I also am a big fan of Dracula myself (because of the cape he wears... I luv capes... LOL!). I also love stormy and windy backgrounds too. :)
I also like Anthro big cats who wear robes, capes, and cloaks an who are storm or wind sorcerers. :) I like fantasy also. :)
So here's my request:
A picture of my evil character (Lord Zeyphr) standing in a powerful storm summoning the wind with his magical staff. Make sure his black robes and long and large red and black cape are billowing and blowing around him. (If you need refs for my character, look in my gallery and you will find him. :) ) He could be standing on one of his tall castle towers, a large cliff, or even an open field while he's summoning the winds. :)
And I have seen your gallery and art... It's AWESOME! :)
I also like Anthro big cats who wear robes, capes, and cloaks an who are storm or wind sorcerers. :) I like fantasy also. :)
So here's my request:
A picture of my evil character (Lord Zeyphr) standing in a powerful storm summoning the wind with his magical staff. Make sure his black robes and long and large red and black cape are billowing and blowing around him. (If you need refs for my character, look in my gallery and you will find him. :) ) He could be standing on one of his tall castle towers, a large cliff, or even an open field while he's summoning the winds. :)
And I have seen your gallery and art... It's AWESOME! :)
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