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YasminFoster — Ferahgo the Assassin Portrait

Published: 2013-01-12 16:15:42 +0000 UTC; Views: 11609; Favourites: 223; Downloads: 115
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Description Finally he's here. Sorry it took so long but I completely re-painted him near the beginning and I had a lot more of him to paint compared to the other villains (they were mostly framed so there was only the head and a bit of chest) I'm glad I did too as the previous painting/sketch was ugly and boring. (see my blog post which has that first sketch [link] )
It was also a good anatomy test for me, with the hand and knee (which I hope I got right) and folds in clothing.
All in all, very pleased.

And it means - omg! Omg omg omg! - that Cluny the Scourge is next. *insert high pitched excited fan-girl squeal!*

From Redwall WIKI
“Ferahgo the Assassin was a tall, lean male weasel and ruler of the Southwest Lands for a period. He was the father of Klitch. Physically, he had sparkling, alluring blue eyes and a charming smile, but he rarely joked. His characteristic weapons were knives, and he was very adept at throwing them with deadly accuracy, as well as using them for skinning. He wore a broad belt with diagonal crossbelts across his chest, as well as a short kilt of animal skins. His secondary weapon was a mace and chain, which he used in single-pawed combat against Urthstripe the Strong.
When Ferahgo was young and had a small gang of vermin under his command, he agreed to speak peacefully with Urthound and Urthrun, a pair of badgers that lived in the Southwest Lands and resisted the weasel's attempted reign. When they fell for his cool demeanor and bright blue eyes, however, he slew them both, leaving their two sons, Urthstripe and Urthwyte, as orphans. Rather than murder the infant badgers, Ferahgo left them to die in the oncoming winter (an oversight that led to his untimely demise seasons later). Ferahgo wore a golden medallion around his neck that he took from the two badger parents that he constantly looked at to remind him of his goal.
Many seasons later, the adult Ferahgo and his son Klitch had gained a tremendous horde. He decided to march north toward the mountain Salamandastron in order to obtain the legendary badger treasure that he had heard the mountain guarded. Filled with a lust for wealth, Ferahgo dispatched Klitch and his crony, a ferret named Goffa, to infiltrate the mountain and survey the possibilities. With time, Ferahgo found himself in a full-scale war against Urthstripe and his Long Patrol.
Ferahgo's relationship with his son Klitch was one of the more complicated vermin familial situations. It is best described as an uneasy balance of protective teacher/student and rivalry, in which they constantly insulted and tried to best each other. However, Klitch was the spitting image of his father in both appearance and intellect, and Ferahgo was secretly quite proud of his son, allowing him a certain amount of control over the horde and strategy.
Among the various strategies employed against the mountain fortress, Ferahgo attempted burrowing through the mountain's walls and poisoning the food and water of the mountain. The weasel commander's most trusted vermin officers included Migroo the stoat, Dethbrush the fox, and Badtooth the stoat. He called the members of his army Corpsemakers.
During the war against Urthstripe, Ferahgo sustained considerable injury from boiling water, which was poured down a tunnel that he was helping to dig. After a quick recovery, he survived an attempt on his life from members of his own horde, who sought to usurp control while its leader was weakened. Afterwards, he came to be one of the only vermin commanders to ever secure Salamandastron, if only for a short time. When reinforcements arrived in the form of Urthwyte, Mara, Samkim, the Guosssom, and others, the tides were quickly turned. The battle was ended when Urthstripe, fatally wounded and berserk with the Bloodwrath, crushed Ferahgo against him and jumped from the top of the mountain, killing them both. Ferahgo's Corpsemakers were slain down to almost the last creature.”

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Character from Brian Jacques’ book Salamandastron
Character Design by Myself.
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Comments: 42

SkekZal [2021-05-19 23:37:36 +0000 UTC]

Gorgeous eyes!

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Ascotia-Bluefleck [2013-04-16 21:50:17 +0000 UTC]

Overall

Vision

Originality

Technique

Impact


This piece of fan art captures the spirit of the character and gives him a cavalier air The picture also possesses the requisite feel of danger that would come with this particularly nasty villain. The idea of him honing his favorite razor-sharp skinning knife was a definite touch. The color scheme of the picture is also fantasticly well-organized - the orange and gold palette makes his trademark baby-blue eyes stand out rather dramatically. Honestly, the only negative critique I can give this sketch is that his knee and knife hand may look a wee bit too human, but this is a matter of personal preference and does not detract from the stunning beauty of this piece one iota.

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YasminFoster In reply to Ascotia-Bluefleck [2013-04-17 08:54:46 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot for your Critique!

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SauronGorthaur9 [2019-12-11 20:43:52 +0000 UTC]

This is one of my favorites of your paintings! It captures his personality so exquisitely well - that dashing, debonair quality laced with danger. I like the casual display of his knife, and that dangerous glint in his blue eyes and his quirked eyebrow that hint at the less benign uses of that knife. I could totally see him with a prisoner or Corpsemaker who has fallen out of his favor, just lazily and casually carving that apple while he's talking to them, while the underlying threat is so very, very clear. With this painting in particular, I'm impressed with how much personality you've managed to capture in his face; those hooded blue eyes making such bold, direct contact with the viewer as if to say "whatchya gonna do about it" especially have so much character. And I love how the blue of his eyes immediately draws the viewer's gaze amidst all the browns and golds around them. It's just a great piece all around and I love looking at all the little details.

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Iron1Fox [2017-04-09 05:33:28 +0000 UTC]

What i love most about Ferahgo, was he wasn't a traditional warlord or commander, he was a mercenary/assassin, a hired goon/thug that rose to the rank of commander and succeeded where others greater then him only dreamed, even if for a little bit.

For those who have read Game of thrones, i always pictured Ferahgo and his corpse-makers as similar to Vargo Hoat and the
"Bloody Mummers

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Gravitydown In reply to Iron1Fox [2018-09-08 23:02:22 +0000 UTC]

Would you draw him and Vargo Hoat interacting?

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Iron1Fox In reply to Gravitydown [2018-09-09 04:53:24 +0000 UTC]

I wouldn't know how to draw that well...yet.

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Gravitydown In reply to Iron1Fox [2018-09-09 12:44:41 +0000 UTC]

Would this Help?:   I just found it.

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Big-bad-Rocket [2015-06-30 14:38:47 +0000 UTC]

There's something about this that doesn't work for me but I have to say the shadings and colourings are amazing. Think this guy might just be my favourite Redwall villain.

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NerdPoodle [2015-05-03 12:28:38 +0000 UTC]

Really embodies him. It's got that sort of disarming smile aspect, and also shows his unusual connection to his skinning knife.

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YasminFoster In reply to NerdPoodle [2015-05-03 13:36:22 +0000 UTC]

Hmm, yes, I can tell you like it by your icon and Profile ID...
Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered, but could you not have at least have the common courtesy to ask my permission before using my painting? It just makes me a bit uncomfortable that you just yoinked it for your own use. It’s a bit like me sneaking into your house and wearing your clothes without you knowing.

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Dranora [2015-04-09 23:15:56 +0000 UTC]

DANG!

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Razcnabruevian [2015-03-01 09:03:01 +0000 UTC]

An idea for a possible alternative version of Salamandastron.  Told from the perspective of the vermin.

Ferahgo is attacking Salamandastron because he's hunting his wife's killer.  She was murdered by the Long Patrol when Klitch was a baby, and Ferahgo is working for a shadowy, underground vermin organization from across the southern ocean because he believes Salamandastron is a symbol of oppression and the reason vermin are forced to scrape a living from the dust, and survival means fighting for it every waking moment.  He's good in the sense that he is doing everything out of revenge for his wife's death and love for his son, as well as for what he believes is the survival of his kind. However, he is also a vicious and brutal killer who is willing to do absolutely anything for his cause, and to avenge his wife.  Klitch and Goffa are close friends who met growing up across the southern ocean and form a "forbidden friendship" with Mara and Pikkle, that is constantly tested but is a major theme of the story because the four of them are a bridge between the two sides.  

Meanwhile Thura and Dingeye are two young stoats who are close friends and have spent their lives trying to escape the violent and chaotic world they live in, looking for a better future to settle down and start families.  Their path takes them to Redwall, where they are reluctantly taken in, with the two initially struggling due to habits and mannerisms developed after a lifetime of fighting for survival in a dangerous world.  Despite this, some abbeydwellers grow to like them and they start to feel like they have accomplished what they set out to do.  Others, however, despise them for being stoats, and are constantly looking for an excuse to hurt them or blame them.  One night Thura is cornered by two of their tormentors who attack him, forcing Dingeye to come to the aid of his friend.  The two stoats go into a fighter's rage, accidentally killing both Redwallers.  Realizing what they have done, the flee Redwall.  Dingeye suddenly and tragically dies of Dryditch fever, leaving Thura devastated and alone.  After burying his friend he begs Samkin and Arula to kill him too.  They refuse, telling him to live with the guilt of being "filthy vermin scum".  Thura is found by the same fox that once recruited Ferahgo, who offers him a chance to find purpose in life again.  Thura accepts and departs for the southern ocean with the fox, hopefully towards a better life.  

There it is, more or less.  Goffa would end up killing Klitch's mother's killer and Ferahgo would die saving his son from Urthstripe.  Klitch would leave for the southern ocean with Goffa, both discussing what to do with their lives now, after saying farewell to Mara and Pikkle.  
Dunno where Urthwyte comes in though...

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NerdPoodle In reply to Razcnabruevian [2015-05-03 12:31:12 +0000 UTC]

Good idea

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DivebomberRF [2014-06-29 13:59:21 +0000 UTC]

One of your best portraits, definitely, and for one of my favorite Redwall villains. You cannot tell if he is relaxed or threatening, neither from expression, nor pose, which fits Ferahgo's nature very well. Soft, "non-villainous" colors also are a great choice here.

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WebWalker756 [2014-04-16 15:59:18 +0000 UTC]

Ahhh, Ferahgo the Assassin. You've done an excellent job of capturing the things that made this cunning murderer and warlord so unique--his fondness for daggers, his penchant for deception under the guise of friendliness (the sliced apple reminds me of Snow White), his distinctive blue eyes, and that disarming smile that promises death.

Brian Jacques may be gone, but I'd like to think he rests well knowing that his works are remembered by those with such talent in the arts as you.

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YasminFoster In reply to WebWalker756 [2014-04-17 08:29:34 +0000 UTC]

Awww, thanks

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NineTailedTrickster [2014-03-21 17:06:01 +0000 UTC]

Currently rereading Salamandastron, and I have only a few things to say about Ferahgo as a character.
There are three types of villains in Redwall.

The villains you love.

The villains you love to hate.

And the villains that you simply hate.

Ferahgo is a villain that I just simply hate.

He's cocky, he's arrogant, and he makes me come away from the book with a sense of wanting to destroy the nearest living thing.
And seeing as that is usually my cat, I need to suppress such feelings ASAP.

Oh yeah, and he's not cocky and arrogant in the fun way like Slagar or Cluny, he's cocky and arrogant in the sense that I just want to lower a noose into the book and strangle him to death with it.
As well as the fact that he allows his son to talk down to him.
Five bucks says that if Tsarmina had a son, she wouldn't hesitate to pull his little head off of his shoulders if he ever flipped her the lip.

But I digress.

I find it interesting that there's an overwhelming use of yellow, gold and orange in this piece, yet it all feels so natural and blends well with all of the other colors.
As well, the simple expression on his face works very well to the piece's advantage.

For example; I can't tell if he's smiling, scowling or grimacing.
That's perfect considering the character's personality.

The overall design of Ferahgo in this piece is also quite awe inspiring.
His outfit looks very fitting, and the fact that the size of the Badger amulet around his neck looks like it's oversized is some wonderful attention to detail.

A very stunning piece, and beautiful to look at.

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YasminFoster In reply to NineTailedTrickster [2014-03-22 17:48:05 +0000 UTC]

Only a few things! lol
Thanks for the comments.
Must admit the amulet size is accidental, but I suppose something that fits on a bulky badger neck would not be so snug on a tiny weasel...but then he could always get a new chain... or invent elastic...

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NewBookArtist [2014-03-15 03:03:47 +0000 UTC]

Your Redwall portraits are stunning. Bravo I say

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YasminFoster In reply to NewBookArtist [2014-03-15 15:51:42 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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zman33 [2013-11-09 18:09:06 +0000 UTC]

amazing art work!

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SammyW28 [2013-06-04 23:39:55 +0000 UTC]

His voice was soft, his manner mild
He seldom laughed, but he often smiled
And those who through him a simple clod
Were soon reconsidering under the sod
Consigned there with a friendly prod
By Ferahgo. Ferahgo Todd.
The Demon Weasel of Fleet Street.
Hold your stiletto high, Ferahgo!
Here is singing 'Yes'!
Stick it in the rosy skin of righteousness!

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Giu-Gio8804 [2013-03-22 10:51:56 +0000 UTC]

WOW amazing ihe look very good!!

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NativeFaery [2013-03-06 20:29:04 +0000 UTC]

This looks great! It fits his description from the book perfectly, wonderful job. Love it.

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SaraaLuna [2013-02-22 03:42:26 +0000 UTC]

...c'mon, everyone, we all know Klitch was a total little snarky snot towards his father because Ferahgo was so much sexier. They were supposed to look quite alike, but who was more mature (in more than one regard, if you get my drift), and probably got more of the attention? It damn well wasn't Klitch, and his ego couldn't handle that, haha.

A lovely painting, by the way. I love the color scheme and the... subject... in general. What can I say? I have a soft spot for weasels.

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YasminFoster In reply to SaraaLuna [2013-02-22 10:41:46 +0000 UTC]

haha! Thanks

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SaraaLuna In reply to YasminFoster [2013-02-22 22:25:54 +0000 UTC]

No problem.

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Zhannah [2013-02-07 00:15:45 +0000 UTC]

Awesome. I haven't read this book yet, I'm currently reading Triss. Any plans to draw Ruggan Bor from Taggerung?

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YasminFoster In reply to Zhannah [2013-02-07 09:49:25 +0000 UTC]

Thanks.
Currently I'm only doing portraits of the main villains.

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FergusMcDuncan [2013-01-24 20:40:56 +0000 UTC]

I say, you truly hit the bulls-eye with this one! Amazing!

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DCLeadboot [2013-01-15 13:55:56 +0000 UTC]

You certainly got the "sexy" keyword for him down, here...
Love the colouring and shading here, and the detail of the fur and clothing is well done. Also, he certainly is a handsome-but-villainous-looking chap!
And, with his leg up like that, if not for the fact I'm a bloke myself, I'd be curious to see what's under the kilt...?

Seriously, though, Ferahgo was always one of my better liked Redwall villains... and that was for the simple reason that, instead of being your clichéd ugly raving loony, he was both charismatic and sane!
He wasn't hideous like Cluny, nor psychotic like Gabool, and also not bland and forgettable like Damug Warfang. He was handsome, clever, calculating and he used cunning rather than strength to command fear from his horde.
Also, I think he and Klitch were a rare example of vermin families in the series that actually got along with each other, not actively trying to kill each other just because they were evil.
(To date, only Ferahgo, Verdauga Greeneyes and Sawney Rath ever seem to have held onto that shred of "humanity" where they actually seemed to care for their family, despite being evil)
He was a very original and realistic kind of bad guy, and that puts him pretty high as one of the all-time best baddies of the series.

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YasminFoster In reply to DCLeadboot [2013-01-15 16:06:03 +0000 UTC]

woa, long comment! But thanks for it!
Yeah, his interaction with Klitch was brilliant.

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DCLeadboot In reply to YasminFoster [2013-01-17 01:34:55 +0000 UTC]

Yeah... for a vermin father and son, they were kind of cute in that respect...

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Kelaiah [2013-01-14 23:49:01 +0000 UTC]

*WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.........*

Freakin' epic awesome ;fjla;jklasdfaldsjkfaadsj;l.... yeah, I think that sums it all up.

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YasminFoster In reply to Kelaiah [2013-01-15 10:02:30 +0000 UTC]

";fjla;jklasdfaldsjkfaadsj;l" certainly does sum it all up. haha!
Thanks

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Kelaiah In reply to YasminFoster [2013-01-15 19:36:57 +0000 UTC]

Heh heh, yeah... your welcome.

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Aavikkokulkija [2013-01-14 09:03:28 +0000 UTC]

You did Ferahgo perfectly!

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ArdanBlade [2013-01-12 17:23:31 +0000 UTC]

Look at that handsome devil! You captured Ferahgo's looks, panache, and hidden savagery beautifully! I look forward to seeing more works of art like this!

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YasminFoster In reply to ArdanBlade [2013-01-12 18:59:40 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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Professor-R [2013-01-12 16:38:35 +0000 UTC]

Ferahgo looks perfect, and I love the gold color scheme! This is an amazing series...can't wait to see Cluny.

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YasminFoster In reply to Professor-R [2013-01-12 18:59:35 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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