"Lead me to the Dark" by mangacrack

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

Title: Lead me to the Dark
Artist Name: mangacrack or JuMclia
Prompt: "They came at unawares in the middle of winter." (The Silmarillion, "Of the Ruin of Doriath"). Write a story or create art where betrayal and revenge play a central role.
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Violence
Description: ...and Celegorm stirred up his brothers to prepare assault upon Doriath.
Artist's Notes: In case the picture is too small, go here to see in full size.

Comments

[elliska.livejournal.com]

Awesome. Perfect palette for the topic. And you did an incredible job handling the foreshortening given that angle (which is perfect--so powerful/dominating). That is so hard. What medium is it?

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

It's a picture I've entirely drawn in photoshop, but I did have a reference picture for the angle. It's the only reason I got the anatomy right and I wanted to use this, because of its strong implications.

[kittotter.livejournal.com]

An intimidating but interesting perspective! Yikes!
I like your attention to detail, especially the runes on the sword. (I assume it's writing... ;))

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's writing. But I admit that knowing my way around Photoshop helped a lot to save some time, but thank you very much.

[tanis2014.livejournal.com]

Wow! I'm always in awe of anyone who can draw, whether it's by hand or on the computer.

This conjures up all kinds of ways Celegorm might have been stirring up his brothers. I'm wondering just whose perspective it is we're seeing the point of that huge blade from since it appears to me there is someone squirming beneath that tip.

The details of the hair and the eyes and eyebrows are just incredible. And that sword appears to be sharp enough to cleave another in two with only the slightest of effort on the part of Celegorm.

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

Thank you for writing such a long review, it gives me joy. Since you were wondering, I guess it's guard on the borders to Dortiath, who is squirming beneath the blade.

And I really like how you think about the blade. I always believed that the Feanorian forging was superior, so you would be right about your assessment what an experienced swordfighter could to with it.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

A very striking and powerful artwork.

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much :)

[binkaslibrary.livejournal.com]

What an excellent piece of art!

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

I hope so, it took me long enough.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful picture. I am always in awe of artists!

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

I admit that drawing is easier than writing. The rest is practice, but thanks.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I admit that drawing is easier than writing.

For me it seems almost impossible to be able to create pictures... words come more easily.

[hhimring]

This is definitely one of the best pieces of yours I have seen! A totally fearsome Celegorm and I feel really sorry for that Doriathrin guard at the other end of his blade! Also that dark background and the lighting seem very appropriate to the setting of the story.

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

Thank you :). I figured, there are so many Noldor dying in the Silmarillion, why not put another elf at the end of a blade for once? Doriath was sheltered for so long that I enjoyed bringing down Celegorm on them.

[fadesintothewest]

Oh my! This sent a chill down my spine! Quite wonderful!

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

I hope it does. It means the angle is working, tkanks.

[ladyelleth.livejournal.com]

OH WOW. I love the detail in this, the perspective (foreshortening was the bane of my existence in every art class ever) and the colour scheme... it all works together to make him incredibly menacing - let's just say I wouldn't want to be one of the Doriathrim that night because of Celegorm alone!

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

I admit that I had good picture for reference. It still took a while until I got it right, but without the photo it would have been a pain.

[paranoidangel]

I really like the perspective on this. It looks like he's pointing that blade at me.

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

*grins*

Me too, when I saw the photo reference. Hence why I recreated it with a Feanorian at the other end.

[astris-eldalie.livejournal.com]

This is really impressive! I love the angle, and the color scheme you chose––and the details in the sword and clothes are really impressive, too.

[ysilme]

Very powerful and intense, this really evokes the sense of the situation so well. I don't even want to begin to imagine how it must feel to be at this end of such a sword, wield by somebody with such a determination.

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

I love the perspective and the colors. The ominous quality overwhelms the viewer. Very well done!

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

Ooh, appropriately dark and yet thoroughly Elvish!

[independence1776]

This is stunning! I love the perspective; it made my heart race a little out of a hint of fear of being at the end of the sword.