A selection of illustrations from my favourite characters from folklore and mythology, inspired by the works of Brian Froud and Alan Lee.
Jenny Greenteeth
She is the River Hag, a malevolent freshwater mermaid or Nursery Bogey, who pulls children and the elderly underwater to drown and eat them!
Redcap
The murderous goblin from folklore that resides in ruined castles. He throws rocks at passing travellers, and if hitting anyone, soaks his cap in their blood, giving it that distinctive red hue.
Boggart
The mischievous hobgoblin residing under bridges, in marshland, along a lonely lane. A shapeshifter able to take numerous animal forms.
Broon Man
A solitary dwarf and guardian to all wild animals. Once found throughout the British Isles, but now just found in remote places of Cumbria.
Green Man
A motif in architecture and art representing rebirth, and the cycle of nature throughout the year. Originally a Hindu nature deity that came to Britain via Christian manuscripts.
Oak Man
The oak man, apple man, leshy, and dryad are guardians of the forest. Similar to Tolkien’s “Ents”.
Naga
A divine/ semi-divine, race of serpent, or half-human and half-serpent being more akin to Buddhist cosmology than western folklore, but perhaps the origin of dragon and mermaid mythology.
Gremlin
Gremlin is a troublesome goblin discovered at the beginning of the 20th century at Royal Air Force bases. They cause malfunctions in aircraft and machinery, but are particularly fond of drinking aviation fuel!
Shellycoat
Shellycoat is a type of Brownie that lives outdoors, and is easy recognisable by the coat of shells that he wears.
Brownie
The household helper from Anglo Scottish Borders, Highlands and Orkney lore.
Pukwudgie
The ‘Little Man of the Woods’, the little hairy goblin from the Indigenous Peoples of North America.
Pan
The Hobgoblin named by Shakespeare as Pan.
Bard of Cumberland 
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