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A while back we talked about painting super heroes.

That put me in a different mindset and I began thinking about fantasy painting in general.

One aspect of fantasy painting that currently very popular is portraying the world of fairies.

Here’s a realm where you can let your imagination swing into overdrive. Flora, fauna and all the denizens who populate the fairy world are fair game for you to bring to life through your imaginative illustrations.

Fairy Lore In Literature

There are a wealth of examples of the fairy world throughout the ages, since these ethereal creatures have been sharing a place on Mother Earth almost as long as mankind. Artists and writers have captured fairies and their magical domain in both art and literature for centuries.

Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is populated with fairy characters and “The Faerie Queene” by Edmund Spenser makes use of the fairy community in this tale. Robert Kirk, who wrote “The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies” in 1691, collected tales and lore from the Scottish highlands in a comprehensive book to document the ‘non-human spirits.’

The Fairy World In Art

Paintings of fairies can be found throughout the world. German painter, Henry Fuseli, painted “Fairy Mab” between 1815 and 1820. William Blake employed fairies as well as many other denizens of the mystical world in his etchings and paintings. British painter, John Anster Fitzgerald, painted many Victorian fairy paintings and became one of the most celebrated fairy painters of the day.

And, who can forget the Cottingley Fairies? Five photographs were taken by two sisters near Bradford, England in 1917. For decades, these photos were purported to be proof of the existence of fairies.

Finding Your Own Way

Your personal vision of fairies and fairy life can be as intimate or as far-reaching as you choose. Some fairies grace us with their presence in our own environment, while you’ll find other fairies inhabiting their own strange and wondrous land.
Of course, along with fairies come all the other denizens of the ethereal world.

Ogres, unicorns, dragons and other magical creatures can all be fodder for your imagination. This fantasy world is a genre of art in itself, and there are many artists who have made capturing this realm their life’s work, like this book here: Fairy Art: Artists & Inspirations.

Successful fairy artists not only create paintings, but they may develop entire lines of fantasy themed products. Figurines, screen printed t-shirts, scarves, mouse pads and other giftware can make a lucrative business for the fantasy entrepreneur.

Give your brain a break from reality and give fantasy painting a try. Who knows, you may become the Thomas Kinkade of the fairy kingdom!