HANSEL AND GRETEL - THE COMPLETE PROJECT

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Hansel and Gretel

A Grimm's fairytale illustration project by Hazel Le

Book Cover Design

Concept:

Two siblings ventured into the unknown abyss deep in the enchanted forest. The focal illustration is framed by wooden carved Art Nouveau inspired mystery box decorated with vines and flower. The back features a bag of cookies designed as the miniature versions of the two siblings, properly made by the old hag to lure them into the fatal trap. Other decorative elements are vintage sweets, evincing a sense of nostalgia.

FULL SPREAD ILLUSTRATION

Concept:

The scene depicts one of the main plot twists of the storyline, wherein Gretel tricked and pushed the villain into the stove and rescued her brother. The perspective follows Hansel's point of view, creating a hidden diagonal line to the composition for a dramatic touch. The fire raging focal area is in contrast to the dimly lit witch's kitchen, creating a thrilling fantastical ambience. Other visual elements are wooden and stone carved utilities, indicating a concept of an isolated shack deep in the woods.

FULL SPREAD ILLUSTRATION

Concept:

The scene depicts the two siblings' discovery of the candy house, the most important milestone of the storyline. The perspective follows Hansel and Gretel's point of view, looking out to the house from afar. The house is painted in bright red and decorated with lots of sweets, to make it look like an illusional nightmare but still appealing to younger readers. The ambience is surrounded with old chestnut trees with wicked shape, hinting at an inevitable fate that two children could not escape from.

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

The witch:

Dressed in dark green robe and having her hair tied like a garlic, she looks like the malicioud hyde lurking deep in the enchanted forest. Vicious and cunning, she's waiting for her meek prey to fall into her alluring trap.

The father:

Too absorbed into the grief after the love of his life's death, he became unaware of what was going on in his own family: the new stepmother mistread his children and was planning a ruse to abandon them. His color is blue, same as the two siblings, yet more of a vintage misery rather than a hue of the clear sky.

The stepmother:

Green with envy while asserting her intimidating dominance in deep red, she upholds a constant hatred for her husband's children with his late wife. "What if they disappeared someday" She mumbles to herself, conspiring to get rid of them out of her sight.

HALF SPREAD ILLUSTRATION - FAMILY REUNION SCENE

Story:

After escaping from the candy house, Hansel and Gretel came back home and reunited with their father, learning that their wicked stepmother had died of a disease.

Concept:

The illustration is designed as a happy family portrait, adorned with doves, the symbol of peace and roses, the symbol of love as decorative elements. They all have tears up in their eyes and embrace each other tightly, leaving the past behind and live happily ever after.