Artist's commentary
Grand Codex Project: Nowell Codex
I posted a sketch of an anthropomorphized Senji Ryakketsu a while back (a moe book basically~) but here is my first official, moebook design - and the mascot character for the project: Nowell Codex(-chan)!
The Codex is most famously known as the Beowulf Manuscript, and was written around the turn of the 11th century. Of course, being a composite text there are other works including Wonders of the East, Letters of Alexander to Aristotle and a poetic translation of Judith, all in Anglo-Saxon vernacular ! Being an Old English text I sought to use certain Anglo-saxon thematic elements in her design, such as the interlace knotwork and the tan surcoat. The plate armour is a little anachronistic, but then again, she has lace, a short skirt and bloomers, so I think it's okay for fantasy~
The sword is a reference, as is the condition of the book, but as for her character design I wanted to capture the spirit of a pure, lively, energetic girl, but she hides a certain sorrow in her heart~