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MelissaFindley โ€” Audacity

Published: 2009-05-11 20:59:46 +0000 UTC; Views: 37330; Favourites: 1538; Downloads: 0
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Description A month or so ago, my work was reviewed over at Blue Moon Rising. It was a great review, and something that the writer said really, really touched me. It got me to thinking about my characters, and about some of the things I try to say with my artwork, and in particular, about the word "Audacity."

It's a great word. And it really summed up for me a lot of what I want to say with my art. So I set out to paint something that to me represented true audaciousness. In character with most of my work, though, it had to be a challenging painting, challenging subject, and had to push the boundaries of what I thought I was capable of.

I'm a big believer in that.

It needed Action! and Armor! and Atmosphere! And to fit with another of my goals, it needed to be set in a pre-exisiting world that wasn't specifically of my own making.

The character in this painting is Raethe, my Halfling Rogue D&D character. The scene isn't from any particular adventure, but it's a story I keep for her in my head. She's tiny, yes, but gutsy, more assassin than thief--but she keeps her options open, and she loves shiny stuff.

I did a lot of looking at D&D white dragons for this painting... they look about as flight worthy as a semi-truck, but I think I got it. It was a weird angle to try to pull off, too, but hopefully it works.

I really want to thank =kyrn for posing for me so I could get Raethe's body position correct, ~faerywitch for doing research for me on dragon toes, and *phuriedae *quickreaver and *PatrickMcEvoy for critiques and support.

Also, Raethe has her own Twitter account... if you want to hear her bitch about fighting undead, pwning sorcerers, and the trials and tribulations of traveling with a human monk, you can follow her here: [link]
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Comments: 93

Aegils [2009-05-12 14:09:37 +0000 UTC]

Here be dragons. lol

yay! It's finally done
It's been very interesting to watch your progress through the live painting sessions and then see the finished product.
I can definitely see you went out of your comfort zone and put quite the effort in here, and I must say it was well worth it. Well done Mel!
I especially like the 2 different lightings and the dragon looks terrific. Perhaps we can see some more from you, maybe one of those oriental styled dragons? *hint* I'm kind of curious on how you'd portray those.

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Bakarti [2009-05-12 08:45:42 +0000 UTC]

awesome

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Lyssiana [2009-05-12 08:41:34 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful and a stunning piece, I love this very much, great work!

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SephirothsFlamedWing [2009-05-12 06:24:23 +0000 UTC]

She doesn't seem too freaked out at being so close to an angry, rampaging dragon. I know I'd be spazzing out.

I love the details on her armor. The skull in the corner is pretty ominous, though. The dragon's wing knocking the rocks off the side of the mountain is a nice touch, and so is the icy breath.

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MelissaFindley In reply to SephirothsFlamedWing [2009-05-12 12:54:50 +0000 UTC]

Me too, but Raethe doesn't have a lot of fear in her, I don't think. She rabidly hates scorpions, though. And giants make her nervous. But she's not much more than a toothpick for most dragons.

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SephirothsFlamedWing In reply to MelissaFindley [2009-05-13 10:35:28 +0000 UTC]

I guess she must not have a lot of fear! Lol, a toothpick.

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nathie [2009-05-12 06:19:16 +0000 UTC]

btw i had to smile about her own twitter account, it is such a sweet idea that i decided - wrong, my own char Rydan demanded it loudly to sign him up too. since he is a fictional char and yours too i put her on my followers list.

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CindysArt [2009-05-12 06:03:45 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic as always!!!!!

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nathie [2009-05-12 05:25:30 +0000 UTC]

iยดm always happy to see your art in my inbox!

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CassidyRoseFallen999 [2009-05-12 05:10:17 +0000 UTC]

that is gorgeous!

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keyoblivion [2009-05-12 04:19:23 +0000 UTC]

WOW that is awesome!
i love it
great job

<3

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Kiyamasho [2009-05-12 03:56:12 +0000 UTC]

lol i looked at this pic and was reminded of a DnD book i recently read. awesome picture!

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Ashe-Nyght-Raven [2009-05-12 03:06:12 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful, just gorgeous.

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SparrowsFlame [2009-05-12 03:02:00 +0000 UTC]

Mel, you captured audacity wonderfully! And you accomplished everything you set out to do. The dragon is amazing. It's size is incredible. I think you did a great job on the angle. It flows with how I think a dragon would fly. And I love that one wing is knocking off the top of the precipice. The icy breath is great too. The character herself is also wonderful. I love all the details on her clothes and around her. I can tell you pushed yourself and you shone as a result! Excellent work!

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MekaMouse [2009-05-12 03:01:29 +0000 UTC]

I'm a halfling rogue in dungeons and dragons too

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jademacalla [2009-05-12 01:55:23 +0000 UTC]

Extremely lovely. Love the contrasting colour temps, very effective. Great work.

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RosethornCGart [2009-05-12 01:53:06 +0000 UTC]

That dragon is gorgeous!

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yourmyrazorblade [2009-05-12 01:32:18 +0000 UTC]

wow... I really like this. Its awesome

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Joaov [2009-05-11 23:56:56 +0000 UTC]

Very cool. Awesome.

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Elandria [2009-05-11 23:51:53 +0000 UTC]

This is really really stunning!!!

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MythArcana [2009-05-11 23:38:44 +0000 UTC]

Quite an epic piece full of amazing details! I like the write up and comments on this, as well! Truly one breathtaking piece of art and one for the fantasy fans for sure! Superb all around!

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Caelicorn [2009-05-11 22:44:42 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic colours on this one! The lighting on her throat is lovely

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duece [2009-05-11 22:30:30 +0000 UTC]

looks really good and the composition is great. I think you've definately achieved the goals you wanted to. The only thing I would change in the picture is the size of the rock she is hiding behind, only be a fraction mind you. Right now it gets a little lost with her silhouette and maybe the dragon could see her head a little over its height

Still though... its just gorgeous, I really love the way you paint

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str4yk1tt3n [2009-05-11 22:20:55 +0000 UTC]

gorgeous.

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yodeladyhoo [2009-05-11 22:13:24 +0000 UTC]

I love how the left wing is smashing into the mountainside. Fabulous work, athough I want to yell at you for making the armor so dark so that I can't see the details!

Thanks for sharing.

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MelissaFindley In reply to yodeladyhoo [2009-05-11 22:16:21 +0000 UTC]

May be your monitor... or maybe the camouflage spell is working... hmmmm...

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whimsi [2009-05-11 22:13:12 +0000 UTC]

Wow, I love the soft white of the dragon, and the details!

The lighting on the figure is great.

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Amberwood [2009-05-11 22:08:06 +0000 UTC]

Wow that is fantastic! Beautiful! I love it!

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HiddenRelevance [2009-05-11 22:01:35 +0000 UTC]

Audacity! Action! Armor! Alliteration! lol

Great scene- it really tells an entire story in just one shot! Absolutely fabuous my dear. *hug*

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prelude2tragedy [2009-05-11 21:56:34 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful again. I really like your latest works, huge improvement from my point of view.

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Cartoon-Freak In reply to ??? [2009-05-11 21:42:35 +0000 UTC]

Wow! Why doesn't this have anymore faves or comments?! This is such and incredible work! The dragon looks fantastic and light on your character from her gem is great! Hmmm.... it's about time I took up that wonderful game...

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tndrhrtd37 In reply to ??? [2009-05-11 21:40:46 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic work...

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anitalee In reply to ??? [2009-05-11 21:31:13 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful

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Captain-Savvy In reply to ??? [2009-05-11 21:25:00 +0000 UTC]

Just amazing!!

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JavisEan [2009-05-11 21:23:56 +0000 UTC]

What a beautiful, handsome, wicked Dragon
damn really ... epic

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CylindricalFawn [2009-05-11 21:21:45 +0000 UTC]

Awesome work as always!!!

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Tizrak [2009-05-11 21:19:17 +0000 UTC]

Wow, this is one of your best!

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Pickyme [2009-05-11 21:14:21 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful!

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maina [2009-05-11 21:12:32 +0000 UTC]

There is not doubt in my mind that you have outdone youself with this one! The mood and coloring is especially impressive! Great work!

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Valedhelven [2009-05-11 21:03:55 +0000 UTC]

omg, that's awesome - lol!

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okapirose [2009-05-11 21:02:36 +0000 UTC]

Gorgeous C:

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axesever [2009-05-11 21:00:52 +0000 UTC]

Holy crap its awesome!

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