Brett Helquist on Etsy

Baudelaires in Library by Brett Helquist

In high school I read Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events and really loved it. I was also inspired by the pencil and pastel illustrations by Brett Helquist. He's definitely had an influence on my own pencil drawings, and when I see his new work in bookstores, it's like seeing an old friend.

So I was excited a few days ago when Mr. Helquist announced that he was opening an Etsy shop, selling some of his prints from Unfortunate Events! Check it out, there's only a few pieces available right now, but they're very lovely!

Mr. Gold

Quick 40 minute morning sketch, while listening to the rain outside my window. This is Mr. Gold/Rumplestilskin from the show "Once Upon A Time." I love that show so much, and this character is so great!

Ideal Conditions

"A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.”

— E.B. White

Wise words via Shirong Gao's blog.

Wuthering Heights

“I must stop it, nevertheless!” I muttered, knocking my knuckles through the glass, and stretching an arm out to seize the importunate branch; instead of which, my fingers closed on a little ice-cold hand! ...I tried to draw back my arm but the hand clung to it, and a most melancholy voice sobbed, “Let me in – let me in!” 

As it spoke, I discerned, obscurely, a child’s face looking through the window. “Begone!,” I shouted, “I’ll never let you in, not if you beg for twenty years.” 

“It’s twenty years," mourned the voice, ”Twenty years, I've been a waif for twenty years!” 

-From "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte

I enjoyed trying my hand at something spooky for this assignment. I was quite intrigued by the excerpt that we were given, so I walked to the library and borrowed the book. I got about halfway through before deciding that it was kind of depressing. This scene with the little ghost is by far the most exciting part, at least from what I read.

Here are some shots of the drawing in progress.