SciFi and Fantasy Art: Arafellin WoT

I've read those books but I'm not a fan of them. Nope, didn't like 'em at all and I read four and skimmed through two more to give them a good chance too. But I like this picture. This is a great picture. Is that a dog or a wolf? He looks really pretty. And I love the horse, very well done. The hooves are the best I think, not many people can do hooves as they are meant to be done. And the background is lovely. Good job^-^

Helena Zeegers replies: "whether one likes the books or not is not really the issue with this particular picture. Atleast not if I may have my say. It is not an actual scene from the book, it's a guess on how a people might look and live. Before they actually entered the books. I just like the tranquillity in it. It's a dog btw, not a wolf. Wouldn't you wan't to switch place with that man? "

Wow, this is AMAZING! One of the Best pictures I have seen in a Long time! Is it in Watercolor? You are truly talented! This has to get a Mod's Choice!

*first comment dance*

Helena Zeegers replies: "Thank you! I'm very flattered that you think it should get mod's choice. unfortunally, that will never happen with any of my pics. *sob* Oh well. And, aye. It's in watercolour. but with an ink outline of the figures. This pic is quite old, but it is one of my all time favourites of those I've done. I'm really glad you like it! "

Oh.......my..........God.......
I am eternally jealous of you. I want to put that up in my living room lol. I am stunned. I love it so much. I doubt anyone could find any fault with this beautiful picture. You did this in water colour!!! I need your advice. Seriously. When you painted the dark shades of the horse, did you just use more pigment, or did you add black? I am always told never to add black, but ti just seems so impossible to get the right colours (Like you did) And did you draw it beforehand or just start painting? Lol sorry for all the questions I just wish I could do what you did.

Helena Zeegers replies: "*blushes* Wow! That's the bloody essence of praise you've given me! To answer your question: I sketched it before hand with pencil, then outlined the dog, man, horse and cows with ink. Then I coloured it with watercolour. About using black, on this picture I didn't (except the ink) but I do sometime. When I shadow I mix brown with blue. (or sometimes use payne's gray as I used for the "black" and white cow) If I shadow something reddish or yellowish I use more brown, and if I shadow something blue/gray/green- ish I use more blue. The grey mountains for an instance consists of more blue than brown. The shadowing on the horse is more brown than blue.

Now, the reason everyone tells you not to use black (in school?) is that they want you to learn not to rely upon it. I was not allowed to use black or white either in school, nor was I allowed to use eraser when I sketched, or, in my senior years, a ruler when I drew perspective. But as soon as you get the hang of the tecniques, feel free to use any color you like, including black and white. After all, it's about developing your own style. I'm sure that Picasso for an instance, if he took artclasses, were told that you weren't allowed to put one eye in the forehead and the other on the cheek when you drew a person.
Thank you very much for the praise and good luck!"

Very good picture, i love how you rememberd the bells. Oh those arafellin and their bells.....