A Sabedile Of Ice and Fire

A sideblog for sketching some ASOIAF costumes, mostly

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Would people here actually be interested in commissions?

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ASOIAF Faces - Part VI (Martell Edition)

I've decided to gather an assortment of actors that remind me of characters from A Song of Ice and Fire. Not that anybody will care about this, but it's fun to make.This is purely based on looks, following no concept of time, place or acting ability. It is merely a way to convey my mental image of the characters, at least as of now, because it does change from time to time. It's also not a comment on the validity of the actors that were cast on the show. So... that. I'll be adding the character descriptions from A Wiki of Ice and Fire when possible.

In his early fifties, Doran is a cautious, pensive, and subtle man [...] He appears to be much older than he is in truth. His body is soft and shapeless, and the gout has swollen and reddened the joints of his knees, toes, and hands.

Omar Sharif as Doran Martell.

He is a tall, slender, graceful, and fit man, and has a lined and saturnine face with thin eyebrows, black "viper" eyes and a sharp nose. His hair is lustrous and black with only a few silver streaks and recedes from his brow into a widow's peak.

Oded Fehr as Oberyn Martell.

Elia Martell was said to be beautiful, slender, with black eyes [...] According to Barristan Selmy, Elia was a gentle, good, and gracious lady, but he also describes her as frail, due to her delicate health.

Golshifteh Farahani as Elia Martell.

Now a woman in her early twenties, Arianne is buxom and beautiful, with olive skin, large dark eyes and long, thick black hair that falls in ringlets to the middle of her back. She has full lips and a husky voice.

Amina Annabi as Arianne Martell.

Quentyn looks like his father, Doran. Quentyn is short-legged and stocky, thickly built, with a plain face, brown hair, brown eyes, and stubble on his cheeks. He has a high forehead, broad nose, and square jaw.

Am I just pointing to a younger Omar Sharif as Quentyn Martell? Yes.

And Trystane is just a kid that is barely on the page, so let’s just skip him.

Obara is a big-boned woman near to thirty, long-legged, with close-set eyes and with the same rat-brown hair of her mother which she sometimes ties in a knot.

Rhona Mitra as Obara Sand.

Nymeria is twenty-five years old, slim and slender as a willow, with straight black hair [...] She has dark eyes which are large and lustrous. Her full lips are wine red and curve in a silken smile,and she has high cheekbones. Areo Hotah describes Nym as having pale white skin in A Feast for Crows but mentions her olive skin in A Dance with Dragons.

Sofia Boutella as Nymeria Sand.

Tyene is fair, with golden hair and deep blue eyes. Dimples bloom in her cheeks, and she has a gentle, sweet voice.

Holliday Grainger as Tyene Sand... Well, she stands out next to the others...

Sarella has a light-brown skin.

Alleras is slender, comely, and has a soft smile, speaking with a soft Dornish drawl. He has curly black hair, a widow's peak, and big black eyes.

Sophie Okonedo as Sarella Sand / Arellas. She’s in her 50s now, but I did mention this follows no concept of time, so don’t come for me.

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Sansa's wedding gown

By Sabedile

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Renly Baratheon

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Some Cersei Lannister sketches.

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Catelyn Stark

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What if A Song of Ice and Fire had been adapted in 1997?

Okay, so this is pretty silly, but I was thinking about who could've been cast in an asoiaf film (or show, I guess) back in 1997 when it was originally published, and... I'm actually having a bit of a hard time with some characters.

I believe George R. R. Martin mentioned once that his personal choices for Cersei and Jaime Lannister would've been Nicole Kidman and Cary Elwes, and I can definitely see why. However, I think that by 1997 Cary Elwes had stopped looking particularly Jaime-like, so I'll have to look for a different set of actors for them. They're not easy.

After much deliberation, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ralph Fiennes seem appropriate enough for Cersei and Jaime. Warwick Davis is an obvious (but very appropriate) choice for Tyrion. He's wearing prosthetics in the picture, but he'd probably wear some playing Tyrion too. He's a little too pretty in reality (though that did not stop HBO). Can't find anything that's quite right for Joffrey, though. Maybe Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. Maybe.

Okay, so one of the first things that came to mind was that Anna Paquin should be Arya Stark. Considering what she did for The Piano a few years earlier, she wouldn't have been a stranger to changing her accent. She was a little too old at that point (15), but I imagine they'd age up the younger characters. If we say Arya is supposed to be about 13 in this, then Anna Paquin playing her wouldn't be too far-fetched. Jon could be aged up to 17-18, and they'd probably cast an older actor, so 23 year old Christian Bale seems to work. Finding a brown-eyed Ned Stark to match the others was a little hard, but I think Jeremy Northam is a solid choice. I think they even have similar features.

Emma Thompson as Catelyn Stark was a very easy decision to make. Imelda Staunton as Lysa came naturally after that. Sansa, though... Sansa is a problem. I sort of... kind of... settled on Claire Danes, who could maybe do a british accent, but I had a hard time with a lot of the younger characters. She was 18 at the time, and I think she could pass for a 15 or 16 year old Sansa. If someone has a better choice, don't hesitate to tell me. And please, tell me if you know someone for Robb and Bran... I have nothing. Don't bother with Rickon, though, he'd either be adapted out or some random baby.

I have absolutely no idea what to do with Daenerys. For Khal Drogo maybe a Mark Dacascos type, I don't know, I've never like that storyline. King Robert... is actually complicated. All the actors I've considered (Jonathan Rhys-Davies, Oliver Reed, Brian Blessed) would've been too old.

Just a few random ideas now. Daniel Day-Lewis as Petyr Baelish. I would have put a picture of him in A Room with a View if it had been a bit more recent, but you still get the idea.

If A Game of Thrones had been the only book adapted, these characters wouldn't have been in it, but I'll still include them. For Stannis, I've already said I like Christopher Eccleston. Mark Strong works too (look him up in Henry VIII a few years later). I've also included Tia Carrere for Melisandre. Kull the Conqueror is a lousy film from what I can remember (I mean, I forgot about its existence until I found images of Tia Carrere in character, so I can't say much), but the way they dressed her up made me think she might not be a bad choice for the role.

Who would other people choose?

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Shiera Seastar

By Sabedile

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ASOIAF Faces - Part V

I've decided to gather an assortment of actors that remind me of characters from A Song of Ice and Fire. Not that anybody will care about this, but it's fun to make.This is purely based on looks, following no concept of time, place or acting ability. It is merely a way to convey my mental image of the characters, at least as of now, because it does change from time to time. It's also not a comment on the validity of the actors that were cast on the show. So... that. I'll be adding the character descriptions from A Wiki of Ice and Fire when possible.

Beric is a slight man, handsome with red-gold hair. He is a dashing but inexperienced young man.

Luke Treadaway as Beric Dondarrion. He looks like he could pass for a 22 or 23 year old, even though he was older in The Hollow Crown. He has the right frame and vibe.

Jeyne is an attractive girl with brown eyes, dark hair, and pretty white teeth.

Helena Bonham Carter as Jeyne Poole. She must have been about 20 when she played Jane Grey, which is too old but then again most are going to be, given how extremely young Jeyne is. Just age her down in you mind. I just think she fits all of Jeyne's sides, even the catty side, which I think is often neglected in this context.

Ramsay is an ugly young man, even when dressed finely. He is big boned and slope shouldered, with a fleshiness indicating he will be fat later in life. Ramsay's skin is pink and blotchy, his nose broad, his hair long and dark and dry. Although his mouth is small, Ramsay's lips are wide and meaty, wormy looking, and he smiles a wet-lipped smile. His distinctive eyes resemble Roose's - small, close-set, and oddly pale, like two chips of dirty ice.

Barry Keoghan as Ramsay Snow / Bolton. Ramsay is hard, but I think he has the right vibe and also enough features in common for it to work.

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Lysa and Robert Arryn

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The Red Woman, Melisandre of Asshai

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A couple of quick Selyse sketches.

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I'm really trying to remember examples of women in asoiaf wearing their hair up but all that comes to mind is Barbrey's "widow's knot". There's probably some example I'm blanking on, but for the most part it seems like westerosi women just let their hair cascade over their shoulders and... that makes very little sense to me. I mean, for the poor ones it's not practical, and one would assume that the rich ones would prefer elaborate hairstyles to show off their status.

I want buns and braids and veils and hats... I guess they do wear hair nets, but even that isn't mentioned all that much. And they... seem to wear them over their loose hair?

I find all that pretty limiting when I try to draw something. I guess there's artistic liberties that can be taken, but I don't want to outright contradict the text.

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ASOIAF Faces - Part IV

I've decided to gather an assortment of actors that remind me of characters from A Song of Ice and Fire. Not that anybody will care about this, but it's fun to make.This is purely based on looks, following no concept of time, place or acting ability. It is merely a way to convey my mental image of the characters, at least as of now, because it does change from time to time. It's also not a comment on the validity of the actors that were cast on the show. So... that. I'll be adding the character descriptions from A Wiki of Ice and Fire when possible.

Varys is a plump, bald, and effeminate eunuch. He has soft white hands. He powders his face and smells of lavender, lilacs, and rosewater.

Michael Habeck as Varys. This almost feels like cheating because his character in The Name of the Rose (1986) is VERY clearly what inspired the Spider's appearance and mannerisms.

Petyr had been slight and short for his age as a boy, and nearing his thirties, he is still a short man of slender build. Petyr has sharp features, a small pointed beard on his chin, and dark hair with threads of grey running through it. He has laughing gray-green eyes like a cat, but Sansa Stark notes that when Petyr laughs, his eyes do not. His breath is always fresh, smelling like mint, which he had enjoyed chewing as a boy.

Ben Whishaw as Petyr Baelish. Littlefinger is supposed to be rather unassuming and charming, but sometimes that seems hard to believe. I think someone like Whishaw could pull that off as well as his creepier moments. I mean, I know I said this is all based on appearance, but it doesn't hurt when there's more to it.

Osney is a tall man with a hooked nose, dark hair and clean-shaven. Like his two brothers, he is illiterate.

Vincent Cassel as Osney Kettleblack. Adding a minor character for flavor. He's got that nose, you know?

[mrsjadecurtiss]

Any fan cast for the Boltons?

I think they are all pretty hard to fancast, tbh 🤔 Grrm gives them very specific descriptions which are hard to find in actors... Ive searched a lot since i also sometimes make gifsets, and i can understand why a lot of people in the end default to the show portrayals when making gifs (though the show actors sadly also don’t look like their book counterparts, so i dont have any of them as fancasts, since i am very book focused). If anyone reading this has suggestions, feel free to send them to me in an ask, it always interests me to see more :D

Roose is the one i have the most sources on; in terms of actors that fit his looks (pale, “ghost grey” close-set eyes, implied middling height, average bodytype, “not handsome but not quite plain”, 40-50 years old but few wrinkles, hair color/length undescribed):

Brad Dourif: He has a pale face, interesting eyes that have a light color, height and stature are in accordance with what the book gives us, and hes a great actor with experience doing horror and creepy characters... i often use him as inspo for my drawings

downside: the only medieval period drama he was in that i could find so far was playing grima in lord of the rings; who is a bit too grimy and not very lordly, so it’s hard to make his scenes work for roose moments... even finding pictures that sell him for this post was hard because not a lot of his roles fit (lots of beards etc)

Michael Emerson: He’s not as much my type but he fits the book descriptions well, having a pale face, pale eyes that are commented on as disturbing, youthful skin, and a fitting height and stature... He also has some experience with Horror and creepy characters, and his performance in Lost especially sold me on the idea that he could portray Roose well (he’s playing a very treacherous and intelligent character there); he could have realistically played him on Game of Thrones

downside: again not a lot of fitting roles i could find, the only medieval role i found so far being the name of the rose where he plays a monk

If you’re looking for a movie source primarily and are willing to sacrifice some accuracy, Marcus from the twilight movies could make a fun fancast; he’s pale and ageless (obviously), has long dark hair like in a lot of the fanart (though that is as of now not canon to the books, his hair is never described), and his personality matches in that he also doesn’t show a lot of emotions, so theres likely some usable scenes from what i’ve seen in gifsets

Apart from that... Clemens Schick has great Bolton eyes though otherwise he looks way too chad (might be a useful fancast for a different Bolton though); Cilian Murphy im not a fan of because he’s way too chiseled and pretty but could work for some purposes due to his eyes; I’ve seen Jason Isaacs suggested though he is also way too handsome and sexy (i suspect this fancast is inspired by the show); and ive also seen people mention both mads and lars mikkelsen due to their talent in villainous roles

For Domeric, obviously this depends on the Roose you cast (similarities etc); I think Rufus Sewell in a Knight’s Tale (or another movie where he’s young) could be very cute :) I often see him suggested as Roose, but the actor is too handsome for that imo, so Domeric could be a better fit (though i wouldnt mind an older him as roose either)...

I also see Aneurin Barnard a lot in Domeric gifs due to his similarity to show Ramsay, but i think he also works on his own without a connection to the show; And ive seen edits with Torrance Coombs who has very intense pale eyes. Otherwise, since Domeric has no book descriptions, any young actor works who has some similarities to Roose’ descriptions or resemblance to other fancasts from his family

For Bethany Ryswell i use Shelley Duvall as an inspiration for my art; otherwise, she has no book descriptions, but she likely looks similar to her sister Barbrey who has dark eyes and brown hair; so any actress with those vague traits works out.

For Barbrey, i love Carrie Anne Moss facially even if she doesn’t have the correct eye color (eye colors can be photoshopped anyways)

I’ve also seen Miranda Barlow from Black Sails used; otherwise any woman with brown-grey hair, dark eyes, her hair in a knot, and black clothing would be a great fit. Pet peeve alert: due to her being Brandon’s lover, Barbrey is probably at most 40 years old and likely younger; a lot of fancasts i see online cast her as 50-60 for some reason...

For Walda (who has blonde hair and blue eyes, and is overweight), Danielle MacDonald could work :) Though i don’t know if she was in any period drama.

I’ve also seen Gümeç Alpay Aslan fancast as genna and she could be a nice Walda if she was in a role where she’d be young enough

Ramsay is extremely hard (p much impossible) to fancast because of his unique features (fleshy, broad nose, full lips, ghost grey close-set eyes, dark long hair)... I once saw someone suggest Michael Pitt, who has full lips and pale eyes, so he could work for emergencies (sadly he is not fleshy and the hair is too blonde)

But no actor i’ve ever seen has all his traits sadly...

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My absolute favorite Ramsay is Barry Keoghan:

He hasn't been in anything even remotely medieval-looking, but he's going to be in The Green Knight (2021), so... We'll see.

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He made many a toast, laughed loudly at every jest, and attacked each dish like a starving man, but beside him the queen seemed as cold as an ice sculpture. "The queen is angry too," Jon told his uncle in a low, quiet voice. "Father took the king down to the crypts this afternoon. The queen didn't want him to go."

A Game of Thrones - Jon I

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ASOIAF Faces - Part III

I've decided to gather an assortment of actors that remind me of characters from A Song of Ice and Fire. Not that anybody will care about this, but it's fun to make.This is purely based on looks, following no concept of time, place or acting ability. It is merely a way to convey my mental image of the characters, at least as of now, because it does change from time to time. It's also not a comment on the validity of the actors that were cast on the show. So... that. I'll be adding the character descriptions from A Wiki of Ice and Fire when possible.

I've already talked about some of these in the past, but oh well.

Renly is described as a powerful man who is lean and lithe. He has a handsome, clean-shaven face. Renly greatly resembles a young King Robert I Baratheon, being near as tall as his eldest brother had been. Like Robert, Renly has an easy smile. He is taller and broader in the chest than Ser Loras Tyrell.

Russell Todd as Renly. Admittedly not very similar to my Robert, but it is how I imagine his face so whatever.

Loras is exceptionally handsome. His hair is a mass of lazy brown curls and ringlets which tumble over his eyes, which have been described as brown, liquid gold, big, and intelligent and lively. Sansa Stark also thinks Loras is beautiful, and that he is lithe and graceful with wonderful eyes.

Brenton Thwaites as Loras Tyrell. I'm actually surprised he's not a more popular fancast.

Margaery has thick, softly curling brown hair and large brown eyes. She has a slender but womanly figure with smooth and unblemished pale skin. She is regarded as beautiful or pretty by most. Both Sansa and Cersei Lannister note the similarities in appearance between Margaery and her youngest brother, Loras.

Hailee Steinfeld as Margaery Tyrell. She IS rather popular, though. I imagined Margaery in different ways while reading the books, but by necessity that also changed how I saw Loras and... that just complicates things.