No.17 : The Story of Timun Mas

This is my submission for 1001 Concept Cover Contest held by Concept Magazine Indonesia that won a Chevrolet Kalos
They're breaking the world record, publishing a magazine with 1001 cover varieties in one edition.

For more information, please visit CONCEPT MAGAZINE

VIEW THE PROCESS HERE


THE INSPIRATION

This illustration was inspired by the artworks of , a very inspiring illustrator.
She combined manga style with Japanese ukiyo-epainting. She's my favorite illustrator.

So, I thought... if she could make something that's so traditionally Japan, why couldn't I make something that's traditionally Indonesia ?

Then here it is, something that I created to represent a modern cartoon illustration which is traditionally Indonesia.
I used batik pattern and visual style of wayang. Some of sophisticated and wonderful visual arts from Jogjakarta/Java (I was born in Jogjakarta).

I also loved typography, so I added the wonderful true Indonesian typeface, the Javanese script (Hanacaraka)
( Official Javanese Script Website)


THE STORY

It's an illustration of an Indonesian folk story, titled Timun Mas (means golden cucumber).

It's about a couple who didn't have any child. They asked a giant to give them a child. The giant granted their wish, in one condition : that they should give the child when she had grown up. They agreed and finally found a baby girl from a golden cucumber. They named her Timun Mas.

When Timun Mas was 17 years old, the giant came to take her. Her parents then told her to escape quietly. They gave her some things to protect her : some needles, a pouch of salt, few cucumber seeds and some shrimp paste (for these were all they had). She escaped, but the giant chased her. She then threw the needles. Magically the needles turned to sharp bamboo stems that pierced the giants body. But the giant didn't stop.

Timun Mas then threw the salt which turned into a big wave of sea water. The giant was hurt by the salt water touching his wounds, but he kept going. She then threw the cucumber seeds which turned into vines that entangled the giant. She threw the last item, the shrimp paste. It turned into a big pool of deep swamp with mud and fast sand, swallowing the entangled giant until he's gone. Timun Mas then came back to her parents and live happily ever after.


THE MAGAZINE

This cover WON the grand prize of 1001 Concept Cover Contest ( The prize's a Chevrolet Kalos ), so this could be my most expensive illustration. - Thanks, Jesus, YOU're the best -

You could buy the collector series magazine with this cover, containing the 1001 cover designs inside at Concept Magazine Indonesia, or contact concept@indosat.net.id

This piece would never go to deviant print, so just buy the magazine if you want the print ^^


THE PROCESS

Drew sketches on 40 x 40 paper, scanned it, then colored it in Photoshop with my newly bought Graphire 4
It took me about... roughly 2 weeks to complete this.
The original artwork actually had some silver foil around the Concept nameplate.


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The concept logo are trademarks of Concept Magazine Indonesia. The illustration and design are properties of Concept Magazine Indonesia