DIF Heroes - Stefan Ridderwall, Djurgårdens IF, Elitserien, 2008-2009
The story
Djurgården's equipment manager Johan Kellerstam had a really cool idea for Stefan's new mask design. A celebration of all the DIF players with retired numbers.
The seven players' numbers with names were painted on both sides, like a blue fan. Framed by graphic lines in red and yellow, 100% Djurgården.
On the chin Djurgården's beautiful logo was placed, painted with depth and 3D. Gold graphics was weaved in along the lower edge.
As base colour Stefan wanted white, and he also wanted his number somewhere, David placed it discretely in white on the forehead.
This design is another example of how David uses the colour of the cage to bring out the mask design. The contrasts against the cage's gold colour brings out the blue colour in the design. The golden borders under the top of the cage and on the chin frame the cage. DAVEART paints the cage with the colour that fits best with the design.
Stefan also wanted to celebrate his favourite band, Lynyrd Skynyrd. So the singer is painted in blue dreamy tones on one side.
In addition to all this the detail work is extreme all over the mask, as always in David Gunnarsson's paintings. For example cool patterns are painted in the glittering metallic layers and are visible only in certain lights and angles. Effects that give an extra depth and an extra dimension to the whole.