DUIMyochka

A series of illustrations for the fairy tale «Thumbelina,» dedicated to the literal interpretation of the heroine’s name: in all illustrations, Thumbelina is strictly depicted at a size of one inch (2.54 cm).

To realistically convey scale and increase the image’s complexity for a large-format publication, the entire series was executed using traditional media. The base is gouache, over which large pencil work is added, utilizing graphite instead of dark washes.

In the world of my fairy tale, all plants are depicted at their actual size. This is a unique introduction to botany: on the pages, you can examine what the ginger root, daisy, snowdrop bulb, or square waterlily actually looks like. Little Thumb functions here as a visual ruler. If the waterlily is six inches long, exactly six heroines fit on it. From this «row, ” a frame-by-frame mini-animation is even created showing Little Thumb swimming across the leaf in the breaststroke.

Borders and frames play a particular role in visual storytelling. They add to the traditional fairy-tale element and also function as a narrative tool. This helps delineate the chronology of events that occur parallel to the text.

The entire history is visually divided into several contrasting arcs—each with its own mood and environment. The narrative begins with a blossoming flower, the coziness of a mother’s home, and a sudden kidnapping by a toad. Then, the viewer is immersed in the aquatic microcosm of insects, before descending underground—into the dark dwelling of a mouse and a mole. The final flourish is an aerial arc, where Little Red Riding Hood ascends into the sky with the swallow to meet the prince.