Lilith is a fascinating novel, challenging at times for its symbolism and allegories. To portray the scenes and, most importantly, Lilith, I decided to put aside theology and any argument that might turn this book into a university textbook, at least for the moment, and just see it for what both new and experienced readers would find at the heart of it: An adventure across an open landscape. A moonlit night. A woman incapable of love. A book about death- a fantasy book about death.
First, I sketched Lilith in her dark armour, to understand who I was dealing with. I can’t take credit for costumes, the author describes the outfit thoroughly - the scales covering her body immediately reminded me of a snake, so I needed her black hair to be as sleek and long as possible to complement her figure.
Then there are the gestures and poses and expressions.
The beginning of the book has a melancholic mood that reminded me of Gothic novels. There’s a library, rain, a forgotten attic.
The characters and places have special meaning, which I wanted to portray in a dynamic way. The illustrations I saw in the other editions were lovely and Romantic, but what does Mr Raven look like? When Lilith’s limbs turn into serpents or a leopardess, what does such a transformation look like?
The only illustration I found with an answer and original interpretation is an old book cover.
It’s colourful and creative, perhaps a little too whimsical for such a dark novel, but still one of the most beautiful book covers I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately I don’t know who the artist is (if you do, don’t hesitate to let me know!)
Transmutation is an important concept in this novel - everything gets transformed - the landscape under different lighting, the characters in different circumstances, and obviously Lilith. One could say she’s the queen of transmutation, not only physically but also emotionally.
I ended up sketching several scenes for a total of more than forty drawings which helped me render and polish the final ten that made it into the book.
Thanks to Jess Lederman for commissioning me this project, and my friends and colleagues for their feedback on the first illustrations!
About Gabrielle Ragusi
Born, raised, and based in a small town near Milan, Italy, Gabrielle works as a freelance illustrator on book covers and collaborates with monthly subscription boxes. She began her journey as an artist in 2015, after dropping out of college to pursue a freelance career. She first gained attention thanks to illustrations inspired by known fantasy series. Now she collaborates with authors and bookish boxes.
Inspired first by artists of Disney's Golden Age like Eyvind Earle and then illustrators of fantasy and science fiction like Jason Chan and Dan Dos Santos, today Gabrielle works on illustrations that feature fantasy characters, surreal color compositions, and storytelling.
When not drawing, she reads dark fantasy novels and drinks tea.