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More from *MelissaFindley

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July 24, 2009
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:iconmelissafindley:
My entry for the ArtOrder [link] Drow vs. Mindflayer challenge. We were tasked with coming up with a mock book cover, and given a size, and a template with text on it to show us where the text would go. The wraparound cover had to be planned in such a way that it would work with the book cover graphic elements. You can see what this would look like in a book cover template here: [link]

The brief was pretty simple aside from that: a female drow locked in battle with a mindflayer. It had to be dynamic--no static poses.

I... worked my ass off on this. The chance of getting my work in front of some of the top art directors in the industry was too good to pass up.

I'm a long time D&D fan and for me drow and illithid (mindflayers) are still traditionally denizens of the Underdark--vast caverns deep below the earth where no sunlight penetrates. Drow and Illithid are lightblind (sunlight, fire, blind them)... which poses a problem when you're painting since you kind of need light to... well... show stuff.

My solution was, clearly, to go crazy with phosphorescent mushrooms.

I promise, I was only painting them. Not eating them. I actually think mushrooms are ick.

You do NOT want to know how many mushrooms are in this painting. I know because I counted. Don't ask.

I am really pleased with how this turned out. Even if it doesn't win, I know I really put a lot of effort into it and tried some new things to solve some unusual problems. Also, I got to paint a bunch of stuff I really like: waterfalls, big underground caverns, and chicks kicking ass.

[Edit:] You can view some detail shots here: [link]
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:iconhawthorne-cat:
*hawthorne-cat Dec 29, 2011  Professional General Artist
shrooooms!!!

--
staying up with the nOg until stupid o'clock.
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:iconfiendfyre34:
~Fiendfyre34 Aug 16, 2011
Not really fighting the Mindflayer IMO; it's more like a Mindflayer getting killed by a Drow.
Also, I love the subtly placed Mindflayer in the foreground. Almost didn't notice it there.
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:iconschnoekums:
Mood: Love =schnoekums Jun 29, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
brilliant, absolutely brilliant

--
Anything worth doing is worth overdoing - Mick Jagger [link]
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:iconjuzmatt71180:
~juzmatt71180 Feb 14, 2011
so so so cool!
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:iconkeinve1:
~keinve1 Dec 30, 2010
I tried to count.... I gave up at 252.
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:iconwolfshade0614:
~WolfShade0614 Dec 13, 2010
HOLY FUCK!!! This is SuperMegaFoxyAwesomeHawt art work! You have some serious skill! I would deffs lok at this book had this been a cover. It combines the total pwnage of female Drow and Illithids with the epic colours and landscape of the Underdark. The mushrooms and their phosphorescent glow just pulls it all together. A masterpiece right here! Total WIN

--
I'm the only friend that makes you cry. You're a heart attack in black hair dye
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:icondantesil:
Mood: Love ~Dantesil Sep 19, 2010
you win in my book man. and since i'm writing one with intense Underdark action and battles in several of the chapters, PLUS since I intend my book to be different than an everyday fantasy novel but to actually include key artwork for the progression, I would like to at least get to know the master behind this piece.

Digital or not, it can be put to paper and thus has a chance to turn words into heart-stopping gasps for breath at each pivotal moment. A+++ man and you forever will have more skill with art than I believe I ever could with words.

roadtoday@yahoo.com if you want to chat dude. about the Underdark, art, storyline or anything in general. thanks. And name's Blake.
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:iconzojo420:
Mood: Love ~zojo420 Aug 16, 2010
SO how many mushrooms?
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:iconsetsugen:
~setsugen Mar 10, 2010
being a mind flayer this picture scares me l o l

--
Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
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:iconpietroigor:
Mood: Joy ~Pietroigor Jan 31, 2010
Very nice picture!
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