Fantastic Fan Features

2/24/2022

Fan creation is an art form that uses the magic of words and expert wandmanship – whether by pen, paintbrush, or digital technology. In the Wizarding World fandom, talented Potterheads have long led the way in Transfiguring their imagination into pieces of art and fiction to share with fellow fans.

At The Protego Foundation, we are Riddikulusly obsessed with fan art and fan fiction – just check out Season 2, Episode 10 of ProtegoCast with the folks at Fanatical Fics and Where to Find Them.

In February, we encouraged our talented supporters to share their inspiring and empowering creature-friendly creations. The theme? Creature liberation within the wizarding world!

Hogwarts Houses

Long-time supporter, Parth, sketched these extraordinary pencil drawings for each Hogwarts House. Every time we look at these illustrations, it’s as if we’ve been struck by a dose of Amortentia. They are gorgeous!

Artwork by Parth

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Crochet Them

Our fabulous ProtegoCast editor (and co-host of PuffCast), Melanie, crocheted these crafty and cute creatures straight from the pages of Newt Scamander’s bestseller, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.

Scour your textbooks and let us know if you can identify these beloved beasties!

Artwork by Melanie

S.O.S. - Save Our (Giant) Squid

The Giant Squid is the playful and peaceful protector of the Black Lake at Hogwarts. Known to tease the students with their tentacles, the Giant Squid also famously rescued Dennis Creevy when he fell into the lake in Goblet of Fire.

Our very own Finance & Development Director, Ali, cast a Lumos charm on this unsung hero. Ali designed this heartfelt piece illustrating an octopus, a friend of the Giant Squid, trapped in a tank, staring longingly into the Mirror of Erised where they are free in the wild. We love this piece because it highlights the parallels drawn with marine creatures in captivity.

In her second illustration, Ali considers the importance of student activism in protesting the second Triwizard task at the Black Lake.

And she’s not alone. This guardian of the Black Lake is also featured in animal rights activism art made by our creature-loving community.

One of our youngest supporters, 10-year-old Nils, wanted to focus on how the Giant Squid would feel if they knew that Hogwarts students were campaigning for their safety and freedom. This is very insightful fan art for a young and up-and-coming magical activist!

Artwork by Ali

Artwork by Nils

Miniature Set Designs

Supporter Caitlin curated these curiously delightful miniature set designs of magical locations, including Hagrid’s Hut, a Hogwarts Herbology greenhouse, and a doll house.

Artwork by Caitlin

Fashion Forward

Our very own Madam Malkin, The Protego Foundation’s Executive Director, Kathryn, has used her feather-free quill to sketch these creature-free uniforms for the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. These illustrations show the magical community how easy it is to switch to creature-free clothing alternatives.

Supporter Parth has also created Gryffindor and Slytherin-inspired costumes for Hogwarts students. Would you wear these costumes for cosplay?

Artwork by Kathryn

Artwork by Parth

Terrific Tattoos

Creative Caitlin sent us these images of their magical tattoos via the Floo Network, reminding us that fan art does not need to be just on parchment, but can be on your body too!

We adore the magical references throughout, like the brightly colored Fwooper (The Protego Foundation’s initial namesake!) and often misunderstood Augurey. Can you cast Appare Vestigium and track down any other magical references?

Image by Caitlin

Colorful Creatures

No Fan Feature February would be complete without some portraits of our colorful companions. The Protego Foundation’s glorious Graphic Designer, Travis, and magical Marketing Director, Valerie, designed these outstanding pieces featuring our feathered friends. Travis’s psychedelic Phoenix and Valerie’s handsome Hedwig are so eye-catching we think they would bring a twinkle to any Niffler's eye!

Artwork by Travis

Artwork by Valerie

Friendly, fiery, and (quite frankly!) funny – Julianna’s fantastic Fire Crab adds a comedic interpretation of the creature.

Pixies Are Not Pets!

Peskipiksi Pesternomi! Unlike Gilderoy Lockhart, we do not see Cornish Pixies as “pests” and, thanks to our development associate, Jess, we do not see them as “pets” either! Jess's drawing shares a compelling message: animals are not ours to “own.” If you can care for a companion animal, you should support #AdoptDontShop.

Artwork by Julianna

Artwork by Jess

Bonus Feature!

Here's a collaborative drawing created by oRion and Asyneath, two of our most active Discord members. This dynamic duo created a prompt and separately sketched out their own depiction. We see Hogwarts, some magical people, The Protego Foundation logo, and a rather large carrot. Perhaps only our Discord members will understand this reference. Join our magical community on Discord to be included in all the fun!

Artwork by oRion and Asyneath

With a tap of the Sonoros Charm, we want to thank all those who contributed to Fan Feature February! Your talent and creativity did not go unnoticed, and we have been so pleased to share your work with the broader fandom!

Written by Lucy McCabe