I had a lot of fun drawing this female viking warrior, it was an idea i spent time planning on a sketch, before i translated to the full A1 paper size. This drawing is for sure the biggest one i have ever approached, and i have to say that i much prefer to draw on a bigger paper size. Drawing it allows me to explore new ideas to tattooing, and show to clients looking for a different tattoo, that is possible to be creative and achieve a unique look with the tattoo. Nowadays there are so many tattoo artists copying images from google, and its all good. I just care for achieving something unique, and to be able to do that, it requires free time dedication, which i understand not everyone is willing to dedicate free time to art. However, me as an artist, this become natural.
I have lately been experimenting with Z Brush, and this digital modern medium is completely blowing my mind. Its a digital sculpture, which you can sculpt digitally, zbrush can give you a start with which shape you would like to work with, and you can take from that. The history of female Viking warriors is an intriguing topic, although there is limited historical evidence to support their existence. Vikings, who lived during the Viking Age (approximately the 8th to 11th centuries), were primarily known as skilled seafarers, traders, and raiders from Scandinavia.
While Norse sagas and mythological texts mention strong and valiant women, such as shieldmaidens and Valkyries, it is challenging to separate historical fact from myth and legend. Some sagas, like the Icelandic sagas, describe women who took up arms and participated in battles alongside men. However, these sagas were often written centuries after the events they portray and are more focused on storytelling than historical accuracy.
Archaeological evidence has provided limited support for the existence of female Viking warriors. Excavations have revealed graves of women buried with weapons, such as swords and arrows, suggesting that they might have had a martial role in their society. However, it is difficult to ascertain if these women were warriors in the traditional sense or if their graves represent a symbolic connection to weaponry.
Additionally, historical records from the time rarely mention female warriors, focusing more on male warriors and leaders. It’s possible that women may have played supportive roles in Viking society, such as strategists, healers, or even defenders of their homesteads during times of conflict, but it is challenging to determine their exact roles and the extent of their involvement in warfare.
The popular image of the fierce female Viking warrior is undoubtedly captivating, but it’s important to approach the subject with caution due to the lack of definitive historical evidence. Our understanding of the lives and roles of Viking women is continually evolving as new archaeological discoveries and research shed light on this intriguing aspect of history.
