Christmas Illustrations!

I've started doing illustrations of Santa and his helpers in worldwide traditions and folklore. Here's my list so far:

Befana

Italian Folklore

In Italian folklore, Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to St Nicholas. 

Viene, viene la Befana

Vien dai monti a notte fonda

Come è stanca! la circonda

Neve e gelo e tramontana!

Viene, viene la Befana

Viene, viene la Befana

Viene de la montaña en la noche

¿Cómo es cansado! rodea La nieve y las heladas y al norte! 

Viene, viene la Befana

Here comes, here comes the Befana

She comes from the mountains in the deep of the night

Look how tired she is! All wrapped up

In snow and frost and the north wind!

Here comes, here comes the Befana!

Santa Claus
Rankin-Bass inspired design

Santa Claus, in a very Rankin-Bass inspired American tradition.

Krampus
Alpine Folkore

Krampus is a beast-like creature from the folklore of Alpine countries thought to punish children during the Christmas season who had misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved ones with gifts. Krampus is said to capture particularly naughty children and drag them off into the black forest.

Bonus Art: The Wet/Sticky Bandits!

Home Alone 

Harry Lime and Marv Merchants were the thieves in Home Alone 1 & 2.

I will update this blog entry when I get a chance to illustrate a few more characters. Trying to approach Zwarte Piet in a very racially sensitive intention. Some more characters in mind: Knecht Ruprecht, Hans Trapp, Elves, Zwarte Piet, Belsnickel, Père Fouettard. I also want to illustrate Santa in a more traditional Saint Nicholas image, and an old world Father Christmas image.