So I'm just finishing off the Obernewtyn chronicles while backpacking through south america (no spoilers please). The Obernewtyn chronicles are my favourite books of all time. In solidarity with its completion, the fact I'm a misfit, and live a gypsy lifestyle.... I want to actually get the twentyfamilies tattoo on my left upper arm just like the books. I'm already scouting tattoo artists and possible design styles from google, tumblr, deviantart etc jaja. Sadly I have no artistic talent to speak of.
I was wondering if there's a compilation of any description of the tattoo/government logo from all the books? I seem to recall it existed with the old design comp for the tattoo but alas the link is dead. I always envisaged the flame birds/agylians as eagles with red feathers more or less. Also, if anyone has comments from Isobelle Carmody herself about what she imagined it would look like, that would also be appreciated. The books themselves are vague at the best of times (leaving much to the imagination with intent I suppose).
I have two possible ideas for the tattoo, taken with inspiration from many of the fan art I've seen about the tattoo:
The first, is from a birds eye view of the three flame birds flying in a spiral, faced towards the centre. superimposed upon circles of rough paint brush strokes of green, black and red (in the middle). the advantage of this is that it would give a great circular design to the tattoo on my arm.
The second, and more akin to what I think the original would be like, is a side on view of the three flame birds ascending in a spiral within a vortex of green and black, with the middle shot through with red again. this design would be more elongated vertically but I want it small enough to be concealed by a short-sleeved shirt.
Sorry for the long post, let me know your thoughts and any help is appreciated! Saludos
Edzomon
i was thinking about doing that a long time ago. I drew up a design and showed it to isobelle at a writers festival and asked her if i was on the right track.
She told me that she doesn't visualise what she writes and therefore didn't actually know what the tattoo was supposed to look like.
From what she said at the book launch last night, i would recommend that you wait. as if there is ever a movie or tv series (unlikely but might happen) then someone will have to design the tattoo as it would have to be shown.
The Red Queen had a passage which adds to the description ;) Might want to get your hands on a copy.
Thank CrystalPebble. I'm glad that is what Isobelle said. I'd rather take my own interpretation knowing that was how it was supossed to be :) if a TV series /movie wants their own interpretation they can go right ahead! :D
Also thank you Sionainn, I had a feeling the last book would have a passage about it so I refuse to get it until I finish it all and then finally decide what I think it looks like :)
Mystic Ward
9 years ago
Mystic Ward
Twentyfamilies Gypsy
Also the tattoo is on the forearm from wrist up in the books. Not that it matters where you get it. You just have to be happy with the design.
Good luck
