A Call out to Fantasy Artist for an Unusual Fantasy Graphic Novel

Jongriffin · Post by **Jongriffin** » 21 Sep 2020, 01:07

A call out to artists. I'm working on a graphic novel series that takes place in a fantasy setting with kingdoms, magic, and mythological creatures, and has a lead character who's from a society in which people live naked. I am trying to show mainstream society that nudity isn't dirty or inherently sexual, but wholesome and pure. Rather than do this in a setting of a nudist resort, I am using an epic fantasy setting full of dragons, fairies, and magic to still subtly deliver a body-positive message, which includes faith in oneself and being true to your ideals. Frankly, I'm tired of nudity being presented as X rated or pornographic. I am looking to change that through this fantasy realm. Therefore, I am looking for a possible illustrator. Is anyone interested? If so, please share with me some drawing samples.

Post by **Beerkeg** » 22 Sep 2020, 09:16

While there would certainly be interest for such a novel I doubt it would be for anything other than the nudity. Sure you could write an interesting story to such a setting that would entice a niche audience, but...
I don't think the fantasy setting would really work. A place where you have adventurers, sorcerers, knights and such, part of a fantasy feel is all the equipment. While a thief might be content with covering themselves in dirt to conceal themselves, a knight wouldn't be as willing to face a dragon without some beefy armor. A spell caster would probably want to put on their robe and wizard hat to blast their foes with lazers. Writing a novel (especially a graphic one) in a setting where everyone is nude is going to be sexual by nature. The story might not be, but the end result will be. There are ways to write nudity without it being sexual, a scene from a bathhouse, someone being battle scarred and have lost part of their garments, an adventurer who washed their clothes in a river and is waiting for them to dry before setting off. These wouldn't be pornographic or overly sexual because there is a valid reason for their condition.
It does seem like an interesting thing to attempt and I'd be interested to see the end result.

Jongriffin · Post by **Jongriffin** » 22 Sep 2020, 12:51

Beerkeg wrote: ↑
22 Sep 2020, 09:16
While there would certainly be interest for such a novel I doubt it would be for anything other than the nudity. Sure you could write an interesting story to such a setting that would entice a niche audience, but...
I don't think the fantasy setting would really work. A place where you have adventurers, sorcerers, knights and such, part of a fantasy feel is all the equipment. While a thief might be content with covering themselves in dirt to conceal themselves, a knight wouldn't be as willing to face a dragon without some beefy armor. A spell caster would probably want to put on their robe and wizard hat to blast their foes with lazers. Writing a novel (especially a graphic one) in a setting where everyone is nude is going to be sexual by nature. The story might not be, but the end result will be. There are ways to write nudity without it being sexual, a scene from a bathhouse, someone being battle scarred and have lost part of their garments, an adventurer who washed their clothes in a river and is waiting for them to dry before setting off. These wouldn't be pornographic or overly sexual because there is a valid reason for their condition.
It does seem like an interesting thing to attempt and I'd be interested to see the end result.

Thank you for your desire to see the end result. I appreciate the encouragement. There are a couple of things you wrote that I would like to politely disagree with. Hear me out. Not everyone is going to be nude in the book. But there will be a race of people who are always nude. In the world of fantasy, we can make our own rules, our own cultures. Not everyone has to be the standard knight or thief. You also mentioned that the lead character being nude is going to be sexual. Part of the reason I'm doing this is we need to get rid of the mindset that an unclothed body is always sexual. As a nudist, let me say it's not. As for a niche audience, that's okay. Not everyone has to like my work. I am only hoping that I can find an illustrator.

Post by **Beerkeg** » 22 Sep 2020, 13:01

Alright that makes more sense now. I thought at first it'd be everyone, but a race/ tribe or wherever, that'd make more sense. Well good luck with it.

catgir · Post by **catgir** » 09 Nov 2020, 04:55

That does sound interesting. Definitely different from the norm. I do enjoy drawing dragons and fantasy art. I rarely do nude art though. Granted I also am not the best at human characters. I have however been working on drawing D&D characters.
First one is part of a comic I am working on currently. It's on Tapas if anyone is interested in seeing more on it.

I also have a website portfolio I have been working on slowly. I know I rarely post on this forum, but It's cause I have been keeping busy drawing and all. I have been working hard and wanting to get my artwork more out there. if you would like to consider me as an artist I might be willing to help out.

Post by **LilMissLarBear** » 09 Nov 2020, 10:50

Jongriffin wrote: ↑
21 Sep 2020, 01:07
A call out to artists. I'm working on a graphic novel series that takes place in a fantasy setting with kingdoms, magic, and mythological creatures, and has a lead character who's from a society in which people live naked. I am trying to show mainstream society that nudity isn't dirty or inherently sexual, but wholesome and pure. Rather than do this in a setting of a nudist resort, I am using an epic fantasy setting full of dragons, fairies, and magic to still subtly deliver a body-positive message, which includes faith in oneself and being true to your ideals. Frankly, I'm tired of nudity being presented as X rated or pornographic. I am looking to change that through this fantasy realm. Therefore, I am looking for a possible illustrator. Is anyone interested? If so, please share with me some drawing samples.

I will be very interested in how this turns out, sounds like a refreshing concept. I do quite agree with your point too which makes me sad because an authors intention can be recieved completely different when someone else reads/views it. Sometimes I feel like authors using nudity dont want their novel to be seen as pornographic but thats exactly what the reader sees... I personally can't help you with the drawings, sadly as I am more of a writer than artist to be fair (hence why I am so interested in your idea!)

Wish you all the luck with this!