@sunless and @Elixiah, I think both of your propositions qualify.
According to the definition that @Katamaheen reminded above, it seems like any story, whether from folklore or from some specific author (that’s the “tale” part) that have a magic and/or unrealistic element (the “fairy” part) should qualify. 
And I want to say, the more original and exotic, the better, because then you can make others discover those stories that will be new to them! 
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So far, I think, I have in mind what I want to go for…
…I may need to break out FontForge for this one…LOL
Of course, there is a long way to go, but I’m excited to see how this one turns out.
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Cool! 
Michelist
I played with a border and ended up thinking better of it.
Added Gold Leaf for the title and did some lighting efx on the castle and boots… I think it’s close to done.
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@steve.improvthis good job on the golden letters! It looks amazing! 
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Not very creative, but it’s a start. I decided to go imagination only this time and see what happens. No references. Exaggerated cartoons are kinda fun 
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The smile of the “grandma” is priceless!
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A scene from the quintessential bedtime story… 
Vizzini:
Whoever he is… he’s too late!
See!?!
The Cliffs of Insanity!!!
We’re safe, only Fezzik is strong enough to go up our way!
Inigo:
He’s climbing the rope…
Inigo:
You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means.
Fonts Used:
Wikipedia: The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure, The “Good Parts” Version is a 1973 fantasy romance novel by American writer William Goldman. The book combines elements of comedy, adventure, fantasy, drama, romance, and fairy tale.
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I’m always under the impression that the challenge rules already state this.
It’s also common sense though, I think?
Where’s the challenge in posting something you already drew before, it’s a challenge, not a contest.
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I’m going for a classic german fairy tale, that impressed me a lot as a child (also because it had harrowing artwork).
It’s the tale of the ‘enchanted princess’.
The author is unknown (as with many of these tales, even the brothers Grimm were collectors rather than authors), but it was collected by Ludwig Bechstein and published in 1853 (as it seems).
Here are some links to the story:
And here are my very first thumbnail sketches:
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Coming along. I’m enjoying making it up as I go. That’s the thing about cartoons. No real rules to follow. 
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Got two of them going now. I had an idea Lol
Only gonna enter one though.
Got a little more done on this one today. I’m currently obsessed with dramatic lighting Lol
Not sure if it’s finished. It was fun exaggerating the giant’s features. Colors look too saturated though. Lol
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Haha that wolf looks awesome, great style!
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@Konstrukto I really like the perspective. I should try using it more
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For some reason I always feel a bit hesitant when I get to the coloring stage, at which point I start to procrastinate
At least I have now started on my (rough) flat colors, and am on schedule to make it on time
Not sure if I’ll make the optional challenge, we’ll see
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That already looks very good!
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@Elixiah Before I even read your comment I was like, “Wow, that lighting is really cool!”
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It’s like… you can make any subject interesting just by using directional light and shadow. But the challenge is figuring out where and how shadows would fall.
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