[Art] Japanese Serow as Totem

[moonvoice]

The Japanese Serow is a fascinating creature. Also known as a goat-antelope, and the coarse pelt deer, it is a sturdy, reclusive creature that was once nearly hunted to extinction, until a nation wide initiative brought it back and instilled it favourably into Japanese consciousness.

They are the inspiration behind Yakul, Ashitaka's steed in the Studio Ghibli movie, Princess Mononoke

*


Japanese Serow // Capricornis crispus // ETSY
Pencil/watercolour pencil/ink/metallic paint + illustration board






The photos are far more accurate for colour. I've adjusted the red balance in the scan, but I need to adjust it again.

Comments

[silverjackal]

Serow are delightful creatures. The zoo in BCNM has several in a lovely secluded enclosure and I've spent some time just watching them. They are gentler beasts than our native deer (never mind being significantly smaller), and are I think more clever, though not as intelligent as elk/red deer.

[moonvoice]

I've never seen them before! I can't remember how I stumbled across them (knowing me, it's when I just open giant taxonomy lists on Wiki and open literally every page in a category like 'Ungulates' and just see what pings me at the time, lmao). But I'd love to see them in person.

[nialoke]

This is so very beautiful <3

[moonvoice]

Thank you very much! :D

[angelsaves]

aww, that looks like a friend

[moonvoice]

Definitely a friend!

[redsixwing]

Beautiful!

[moonvoice]

Thank you! :D

[calissa]

Such lush greenness! You also do such a good job of capturing its gentleness.

[moonvoice]

Thank you so much. I'm so glad I was working on this alongside the Koala colouring. Going from those reds to these blues/greens and that gentle face was very healing.