Legendarium Ladies April: Melian

[hrymfaxe]

I have been looking forward to this month, and have started a list of ladies that I would like to paint, and first up is Melian.

“Melian was the name of a Maia who served both Vána and Estë; she dwelt long in Lórien, tending the trees that flower in the gardens of Irmo, ere she came to Middle-earth. Nightingales sang about her wherever she went.” The Silmarillion.




The painting style is new for me and heavily inspired by the incomparable Carne Griffiths. Check out his website and prepare to be stunned I had a lot of fun trying it out, and I don't think this will be the last time I do something like this. I was especially pleased at how one of my inks would behave completely unpredictably when I rewet it! :D

Comments

[heartofoshun]

This is gorgeous! I adore it. It is one of my absolute favorites of yours. Love the parted lips and the almost hidden birds. The colors and the way the inks/paints mix and spread goes without saying--brilliant!! Congrats!

[hrymfaxe]

Thank you so much! I'm kind of looking at it and doubting that I made it - sometimes everything just seems to come together. :D

I also really enjoyed how unpredictable the watercolors and inks were behaving, and did my utmost to not be too controlling and just letting them go where they wanted once I applied water.

[hhimring]

She seems very one with the leaves and the birds, but also very much a woman looking and maybe seeing.
Amazing.

[heartofoshun]

It really is amazing. Lit up my day.

[hrymfaxe]

Thank you again. That made me smile all over!

[hrymfaxe]

Thank you! That was exactly the effect I was going for.

[kaja_lakoka]

No surprise that Thingol fell in love with her so much he couldn't even move :^D

[hrymfaxe]

Hahaha exactly!! There had to be a reason.

Thank you! <3

[independence1776]

Wow!

[hrymfaxe]

Thank you!!!

[oloriel]

Intriguing! I didn't spot the nightingales at first and then I went "oh. ... OH!" It seems like she's growing out of the birds and the ink splotches - it always works like a movie scene in my mind, first there's nothing to see, then you hear singing, then a flock of nightingales appear out of nowhere, whirling up leaves with the wingbeat, and then a wild Melian appears! OK, a bit corny perhaps, but I enjoy it. Anyway, this is a very evocative piece!

[hrymfaxe]

I love your description! I'm really happy that I have managed to hide the birds and make the piece a bit like a secret forest scene. :D Thank you for leaving a comment.