Emily Barksdale
Illustrator

Wheel of the Year

Illustrated with Ink and Watercolor, these pieces are part of a 12-month calendar, based on the Celtic Pagan Wheel of the Year. Each month’s illustration contains aspects of different Pagan festivals, Gods and symbols, and are designed to resemble the ever-turning wheel itself.

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Wheel of the Year Calendar

Inspired by the Celtic Pagan Wheel of the Year, this calendar was a personal project, fully illustrated by me using ink and watercolor.

This 12 Month, fully illustrated calendar takes you through the Celtic Pagan Wheel of the Year, the ever-turning cycle of seasons, marked by major festivals taking place on solstices and equinoxes. Each monthly illustration highlights festivals, holidays and seasons, with a different Celtic goddess and various fruits, herbs, trees, animals and other earthly elements to correspond with each month. As you journey through the year 2020, take inspiration from the deities, cultures and spiritual beliefs of Pre-Christian Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as modern Pagans.

The 2020 Wheel of the Year Calendar was sold by me to many clients, and serves as a rotating art piece for my customers, year round.

 
 
 

Below is a look into the process of creating the Imbolc illustration, which includes thumbnails, value study, color study, final sketch and unedited ink and watercolor. I use a very similar process for all of my work, including the other illustrations in this series.