Michael Whelan
@MichaelWhelan@mastodon.art  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

CROWN OF SHADOWS (1995)
Acrylic on Panel - 28" x 22"

There's something in the complexity of an anti-hero that grabs the attention of readers. Such rich characters naturally provide an illustrator with opportunity to revel in the shadows. 1/4

#fantasy #fantasyart #sff #illustration #csfriedman #coldfiretrilogy

An elegant man with shoulder length blonde hair and eyes glinting gold strides between a pair of trees barren of leaves but colored by alien lichen creeping up the trunk. He holds aloft a black sword drenched in purple flame. The edge rides a sinuous curve peaking high then retreating to upturned quillons and a curved grip tapering thin in the middle. The modest flames stand in contrast to shaded greens that tint the mountains behind him. His bearing is regal; his clothes made of fine black leather with gold trim and filigree. A purple sash runs beneath his long jacket, which sways trailing his motion. Behind him ephemeral spirits rise—the most prominent female with one arm and one knee raised. A volcano dominates the background, billowing smoke as it roils with electric green flame.
An elegant man with shoulder length blonde hair and eyes glinting gold strides between a pair of trees barren of leaves but colored by alien lichen creeping up the trunk. He holds aloft a black sword drenched in purple flame. The edge rides a sinuous curve peaking high then retreating to upturned quillons and a curved grip tapering thin in the middle. The modest flames stand in contrast to shaded greens that tint the mountains behind him. His bearing is regal; his clothes made of fine black leather with gold trim and filigree. A purple sash runs beneath his long jacket, which sways trailing his motion. Behind him ephemeral spirits rise—the most prominent female with one arm and one knee raised. A volcano dominates the background, billowing smoke as it roils with electric green flame.
An elegant man with shoulder length blonde hair and eyes glinting gold strides between a pair of trees barren of leaves but colored by alien lichen creeping up the trunk. He holds aloft a black sword drenched in purple flame. The edge rides a sinuous curve peaking high then retreating to upturned quillons and a curved grip tapering thin in the middle. The modest flames stand in contrast to shaded greens that tint the mountains behind him. His bearing is regal; his clothes made of fine black leather with gold trim and filigree. A purple sash runs beneath his long jacket, which sways trailing his motion. Behind him ephemeral spirits rise—the most prominent female with one arm and one knee raised. A volcano dominates the background, billowing smoke as it roils with electric green flame.