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Description
I suppose it was only a matter of time before I drew these two. Moby Dick has always been a fascinating story to me, not just for the epic drama that it tells, but also for the amount of period historical detail that is crammed into it. After all Melville was writing from experience when he put his pen to paper.

Of course you can't talk about Moby Dick without taking about the iconic pair that is Ishmael and Queequeg. I've seen many interpretations of these characters' relationship, with a lot of emphasis put on the intimate details described by Melville. I mean Queequeg literally declares that he and Ishmael are "married."

Whether or not Melville intended for this relationship to come off as romantic when he wrote it, I doubt it, much like how I doubt Tolkien intended for Frodo and Sam's relationship to come of in a similar way. However interpretations can change over time, and I can certainly get behind the idea that the two whalers develop something a little deeper than your average friendship. Each reader must make up their own mind, I suppose.

Had a lot of fun drawing this, mainly in trying to keep their clothing as historical as possible. While there is no specific date given for the story, I imagine it is probably not too long before Melville wrote the book, and since Melville sailed as a whaler during the 1840s, that's the era I chose for the clothing. Most adaptations I've seen of Moby Dick have been somewhat lacking when it comes to authentic costuming, usually limited by budget. I of course have not such restrictions.

I wanted to contrast between the two characters. Queequeg has been whaling before, and therefore would have clothing marking him as a sailor. Ishmael is a former schoolteacher, and would look quite green in his appearance.

The most challenging aspect were Queequeg's tattoos. I studied both traditional Maori tattoos as well as other interpretations in media. I hope I did them well and respectfully in regards to depicting this element of Polynesian culture.

Hope you all enjoy!

Description
I suppose it was only a matter of time before I drew these two. Moby Dick has always been a fascinating story to me, not just for the epic drama that it tells, but also for the amount of period historical detail that is crammed into it. After all Melville was writing from experience when he put his pen to paper.

Of course you can't talk about Moby Dick without taking about the iconic pair that is Ishmael and Queequeg. I've seen many interpretations of these characters' relationship, with a lot of emphasis put on the intimate details described by Melville. I mean Queequeg literally declares that he and Ishmael are "married."

Whether or not Melville intended for this relationship to come off as romantic when he wrote it, I doubt it, much like how I doubt Tolkien intended for Frodo and Sam's relationship to come of in a similar way. However interpretations can change over time, and I can certainly get behind the idea that the two whalers develop something a little deeper than your average friendship. Each reader must make up their own mind, I suppose.

Had a lot of fun drawing this, mainly in trying to keep their clothing as historical as possible. While there is no specific date given for the story, I imagine it is probably not too long before Melville wrote the book, and since Melville sailed as a whaler during the 1840s, that's the era I chose for the clothing. Most adaptations I've seen of Moby Dick have been somewhat lacking when it comes to authentic costuming, usually limited by budget. I of course have not such restrictions.

I wanted to contrast between the two characters. Queequeg has been whaling before, and therefore would have clothing marking him as a sailor. Ishmael is a former schoolteacher, and would look quite green in his appearance.

The most challenging aspect were Queequeg's tattoos. I studied both traditional Maori tattoos as well as other interpretations in media. I hope I did them well and respectfully in regards to depicting this element of Polynesian culture.

Hope you all enjoy!