I wanted to make it very clear that the man in black / Westley is a pirate. So I used loose billowy clothes that also made him feel bigger and intimidating.
Horse is a Jutland horse, native to Denmark (which is what’s in between Sweden and Germany). It’s a draft horse, so good for farming, which is where Buttercup grew up, on a farm. I also wanted Horse and Westley’s design to somewhat mirror each other. Since Buttercup grew up on a farm, I did not want her to look dainty.
Buttercup’s story is more than just about love, it’s also about freedom. I realised that freedom was the core to her character. Her horse riding, doesn’t care what others think, and wild personality is all about freedom. I wanted her hair to flow with the wind, for her and her hair feel full of life. In the book, Buttercup had red hair. For her to have such a bold hair colour, especially one that in Europe during the medieval period was not considered desirable, felt right. Her hair and her personality is a defiance to the standard of beauty and of how a woman “should” be. That someone as bold as her would be considered the most beautiful woman in the world felt pretty badass. Having red hair (kinda vermillion) also provided opportunity to work with Humperdinck’s more blood red. When wearing her presentation dress as Princess of Hammersmith (despite the title of Princess, it is a title that does not sound dainty), Humperdinck’s red on her dress subdues the boldness of Buttercup’s red hair. Combining this with a restrictive design for her presentation dress and of her hairstyle, her design become reflective of her situation as a prisoner.
But when on her daily ride her dress can flow and her bright, bold, red hair is free.
Check out some of the artwork i made for the @criterioncollection for The Princess Bride! In stores now! Select prints available in my shops. #theprincessbride #art #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsofinstagram #illustration #drawing #movieart #fairytale #childrensbooks #angelarizza #buttercup #westley #criterion #drawing #painting #ink #inktober #artist #art_spotlight #arte #artwork #artofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BqsgNYSB7mQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nog3gr6izj0e
