"Beren & Luthien - Lovers Embrace" by Natalie Anne Harrison

Congrats on Mods Choice! Great Pic! This is so romantic and beautiful. *swoon*

I saw a comment on this picture when you first got Mod's Choice on it that I disagreed with to the extent that it nagged at me until I finally tracked the image back down and say something, only to learn you already had, and in so stated an opinion I fully agree with. Though a narrow nose would fit said Western standard of beauty, she was NOT a western woman, or even human, for that matter - human standards of beauty (and particularly pop-culture ones based in ideals more or less imposed for the purpose of engendering sentiments of inadequacy so we'll buy myriad creams, cosmetics, surgeries.. okay, I'll keep the ranting to a minimum..) simply would not apply to Luthien. Further, there are a number of (non-Tolkien, but still not inconsiderable) tales of Elves suggesting lupine, and thusly broad, flat-nosed features, even one in which Elves were born of a breeding of an Elm (aspect of the Mother-Goddess) and a Wolf (aspect of the Father-God), hence, Elf. Moreover it's not a terribly common feature in humans and many seem to think it rather Elven, as I have a somewhat broad, flat-topped nose the shape of which I cannot think of ever having seen on anyone else, while I've been approached in as unprompting a situation as a supermarket and told I look like something out of LotR.
On the other features, the shading's a bit heavy, but scanners have a general habit of EATING anything regarding shade; from what you described, she'd look beyond lovely in the original. Beren looks fine, though perhaps his eyes look a little more creased than his smile would exactly explain... but again, scanner issues, the lines wouldn't be as pronounced.
Their pose is flawless; it allows a good view of both faces while remaining perfectly natural and appropriate to what looks like a cool evening. Sorry not to offer any real form of critique, but really all the constructive commenting to do here is to point out the really good ideas, which strikes me as a good sign. Overall it's lovely, the empty space is used to good effect, and the I love the cool, elegant, but rather impassioned sense of it.

Natalie Anne Harrison replies: "Thank you so much. Your comment has really hit the nail on the head!! Alos, I just thought, Cate Blanchett who played Galadriel in the LOTR trilogy has a nose similar to my Luthien (just thought I'd add that in). I'm glad you liked my image and for standing up for it. I have a really crapy scanner that is older than time itself. (A mental note to buy new scanner pronto!!) Thankyou for your indepth comment, it has been recieved gratefully!!"

Another fully deserved Mods choice you'r mantle peace must be getting very crowded. I cant belive this is your first acryilic picture its amazing i found there extremely difficult paints to use but you seem to have mastered them. Since you'v joined elfwood i cant belive how much you'v developed as an artist take a ver well deserved pat on the back. As for the picture as much as i love the two people the colouring on them espeicaly the sky is my favorite wonderful work allround

Natalie Anne Harrison replies: "Thanks James!! I'm glad you like it. My university tutors think my colours are too muddy looking and need work on them. But I seem to have gained a few good comments on this image overall, which is nice. Good to see you around again. I'll pop round to your gallery and see if there's anything new up. If there ain't get some pics done, I wanna see some more of your pics!! "

this picture is stunning! I really like their faces, Luthien is very beautiful here.
I'm going to put this pic in a tour I'm making about Beren and Luthien, and here's what I wrote about it: "A very emotional portrayal of the lovers. They hold each other as if they know that the days of their joy will not last long".
If you don't want it to be in a tour or if you have any questions please contact me.

Natalie Anne Harrison replies: "Cool thanks, plese do put my pic in the tour, that would be excellent, thankyou. And i love the explanation of the pic. Thanks again fo rthe great comment!"

WOW,I love this picture,really.
I love Beren and Luthien,this is my favorite couple.
The colours,just lovely...

WHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Legolas, why don't you hold me like that??
Legolas: Because I am litterally your fantasy. Meaning I am only real in your head.
Me: NO!! You are REAL!!!
Legolas: As you say, "denial is not just a river in Egypt." Just comment on the picture, Erin.
Me: Whaaaaaaaaa!!! Anyways, I'm taking that Beren&Luthien tour, and this is my fave so far. You rock! *hugs Legolas* Some day, they shall write a tale of the tragic love of "Erin & Legolas." *sighs dreamily*
Legolas: Tragic indeed. How about "the Drama Queen & I."
Me: oh hush.

Natalie Anne Harrison replies: "In my head, Aragorn is my fantasy *sigh*!! Thanks for the funny comment! LOL!"

Beautiful, I love how they're at the edge of he picture rather than central. In fact, I think it draws the eye to them more than if they were central.

Natalie Anne Harrison replies: "Thanks, I'm usually not very good at composition, I just tend to be 'safe'and have my figures centrally all the time, this was different and I still quite like this image because of that fact. Thanks for the lovely comment glad you liked it!"

Cuuuuuute!They're sooo cuuuute!The story of b&t... It's so touchin'

Aaaw they love each other. Amazing painting. The whole mood shows love but I sense a sort of sadness in it too.

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