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Arlesienne [2016-09-12 19:55:52 +0000 UTC]

Overall

Vision

Originality

Technique

Impact

I do not pretend this review is an objective one. It most definitely isn't. I am experiencing a violent case of cognitive dissonance: I have no interest in Solavellan, but am an enthusiast of your renders. TL;DR: I find it an exceptional work (hence the feature in Thedas-in-love in our hub for all passersby to see before anything else). Now, I am going to gush over it thoroughly explain why.

First of all, the overall concept. You know how to steal my attention: combining a poem - in this case, a song, a very fitting one to add - with an own work just cannot be passed by without interest. Apart from this, you look into that tragic if not outright doomed (through the lack of some equilibrium - after all, Solas-Fen'Harel is a man with a completely different perception of the world than Lavellan and does not do much to change this) relationship in a refreshing way. There is still at least (at least, because Solas seems to suffer too, out of pretty much his own volition in a way, but still) one victim - Lavellan - but it is less cliche in the common "Boy Leaves Girl" way. It also opens up an interpretation of the bond Dirthamen and Falon'din shared. What if this Lavellan is Solas's soulmate, someone beyond just romantic love? If it's an overblown interpretation, I consider it at the very least an interesting one.

Now, the composition. The shot is flawless. You know it's Solas from the chin alone. Lavellan seems completely overwhelmed - I like interpreting it he can't take in all the Fade visions Solas is dispersing to him now. It meshes with his vallaslin particularly well, because it's devoted to Dirthamen. He really must lust for knowledge. I can only wonder about his reaction to the revelation about Solas being Fen'Harel (and hellbent of blowing up the world along with the countless lives)... The lighting is used sensibly too, even if I would like to see it rendered in Iray or 3Delight with UberEnvironment on. Some vascularity maps could be fun. I'm not sure if the pale lines around Lavellan's lips are part of his markings or just a too-strong transition of the lip and face textures. The lighting is impressive as it is. So cold, akin to how Solas tends to act, on top of everything, the hue of lyrium. This is why I think the floral pattern doesn't take your attention away from the artwork, but actually skilfully frames it. Whether you interpret the background as the veins of a leaf - a la the trees the Dalish plant as memorials of their (woefully idolised) past - or the webbing of a spider - a common symbol of deception and arcane knowledge, both fitting Solas a great deal - it works great.

Honestly, there is so little to consider working on still. The appearance of the skin of Solas's palm would be the only real thing in my humble opinion. It is not that jarring at any rate, mind you. Making Lavellan's eye texture a bit different (higher resolution, maybe? I recall Raiya used to create ultrarealistic eye and skin textures) could go on the list too. There is one errant strand of her on his head too, the one between Solas's famous chin and his palm - it looks flat, probably the opacity or specular maps are what you can review. It can even be a fault of the mesh you can't fix without reworking it from scratch. It is not too obtrusive anyway.

I am not pretending: this is incredibly positive. But can you blame me? It is definitely one of your best works!

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Nosferatirium [2017-10-13 17:51:20 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Owner

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Fal3r3 [2016-05-23 05:16:03 +0000 UTC]

Amazing work, as alwayas, I love the "lostness" in the expression, the colors.. and obviouvsly I love the quote Simply perfect

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JMartinW [2016-04-21 04:06:39 +0000 UTC]

I never liked solas, but this is wonderful!

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Deemonef [2016-04-04 19:30:52 +0000 UTC]

Holy f*** this is a great artwork
Love the blue themed work, this amazing lighting and the look of the Inquisitor!!!
Powerful gesture of Solas....just wow!!!
I love it

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

mothmanaintshit [2016-04-04 18:08:50 +0000 UTC]

I need to figure out how to send hugs through the internet. <333

👍: 0 ⏩: 0