This illustration for the Notable Missourian book on Ella Ewing (Truman State University Press) shows the Missouri giantess Ella Ewing as an attraction at a state fair.
Final Art
Rough sketch....she was a little too big here. I was approaching "Lord of the Rings" giant size.
Rough sketch with details honed in.
Animated GIF showing the difference between the final art completed on the computer and the rough base hand painted on panel.
This illustration is for the Notable Missourian book (Truman State University Press) on Ella Ewing. Ella was a giant hailing from Missouri. I'm not sure if calling someone a "giant" is politically correct, but it seems like one of those words that can't be used in a diminishing way. Well I guess when you use it as an adjective it definitely can be used to diminish. Like "Fred is a giant @#$&#%$". But! as noun its hard to imagine that it would be offensive. That said what do I know?!
Okay, forgive me that tangent. This illustration shows a young Ella and her parents visiting Chicago for the first time. Ella's parents were initially reluctant to accept any of the offers to "display" her at fairs or the circus, but the money was good and Ella thought it would be an opportunity to travel and meet new people. Her parents ultimately agreed so long as they could travel with her, no doubt to look out for her.
Ella and her parents disembarking from a street car in Chicago ~ 1890
Original rough sketch. I thought the view was pulled back a bit to far. Was afraid the people would get lost.
A tightened rough sketch with a closer view of the street car. I was mainly thinking the street car would be a good device to show the relative sizes of the people.