The creative process:
1) Inspiration, literally could be from an RP event, or solo PVE, or seeing something on my wall. Inspiration is important. If you can get a picture of what you want in your head, then you have a great start.
2) Rough draft - Just get your idea's out! Order doesn't even matter, spelling and grammar, word choice... these are things to worry about later. Rough draft is arguably, to me, the most important part, as it should be providing you a roadmap of your description. Bullet point lists works, short paragraphs, etc.
3) Sleep. I never ever took a second pass over a rough draft the same day I did it. It's important to look at it with a totally fresh mind.
4) Second draft - this is where you flesh out the bullet points, or revise and add to your paragraphs. Word choice is ultra important, I strove to never use the same words twice in the same description (though obviously sometimes it's unavoidable. If this is the case, make sure the context is noticeably different than the previous usage). No shame in using online thesaurus' if you're stumped, or looking to literature or other descriptions for further inspiration.
5) Final draft - This was just a spelling check, mainly. I would also have someone peer review it (make sure you choose a peer who will dig to find something wrong with it, or they're no good to you.)
Some Rules of Thumb I stuck too:
1) Less is more; if you can convey the same amount of information/detail in three sentences with one, then you should use only one.
2) Don't get too "wordy". Ties into #1.
3) Do not 'take control' of other character's PC's by describing how they feel looking at something.
4) Personal taste: Don't slap DC's into descriptions.
Paintings
A Pactwitch Shackled
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A wide brush was used to make the innumerable short strokes that make up this striking portrayal. It bears a pastel-like style, and it is difficult to tell what type of paint was used upon the grainy canvas (which itself likely comes from Ripplebark, and Underdark fungus). Minuscule Xanalress runes have been etched into the back of the frame.
They read:
"A Pactwitch Shackled"
by Qintarra Vh'larra
Jilted by each other's presence, every object and figure appears to nebulously blend into the next, defined by where the colors that define them meet, in place of hard lines. Despite the artist's chosen style and choice in materials, when one takes the image in as a whole, it becomes easy to determine what the creator wished to capture.
Under a lightless ceiling, Arachnid motif's decorate otherwise dark granite walls; against it: a large bed clad in purple sheets between a pair of massive... bookshelves? The foreground is dominated by a massive column. Twin granite appendages jut out from other side, curving forward in a embrace. In place of hands are shackles, the Adamantine constraints occupied by the limp wrists of a Human female.
Diamonds and Rubies are scattered upon the floor before the prisoner, her shredded clothes loosely hanging by threads: robes torn to pieces, a veil sundered apart like broken glass. A lone violet feather manages to sneak through the tangled mess of fabric. Crimson hair splayed forth (and through) the tattered remains of the woman's hood.
Intimidating, yet undeniably charismatic. Desperate and defeated, yet defiant. A difficult combination of traits to capture, yet successfully done so here. If one's eyes linger upon her, they may notice a face without imperfection, creating a disturbing uncanny effect that borders surreality.
Thin, delicate Dark Elven fingers grip the prisoner's forehead; she faces away from the viewer, silhouette obscured by hood and flowing cloak of Obsidian and Amethyst color. A black staff is held in her left hand, rising to a height greater than her own and ending in a shimmering vortex.
Hue's darken around the point of physical contact, crafting an illusion of warping light that closer inspection reveals to surround the Drow. This effect seems to spread and multiply across the illustration. The floor becomes a sea pulled by a slow tide, and the spider's that nest upon the walls animate and scatter away from the encroaching field of bending light. The viewer's attention may be drawn back to the prisoner's symmetrical face by... movement? Her cheeks split open! Jaw, eyes, porcelain skin erupting into the dark mist of a thousand centipedes, leaving behind an empty void as the plague of insects spreads across the vacant regalia.
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The artist behind this painting used long, slightly curved strokes and a wide brush to assemble the background of this watercolor painting, and short, straight strokes with a thin brush for the foreground. The canvas is a grainy paper possibly made from an Underdark fungus, and tiny Xanalress runes have been etched into the back of the frame. They read:
"In a Mirror, Darkly"
by Qintarra Vh'larra
Most of this painting is pitch black, akin to staring into an empty abyss. This void begins to slowly morph into grey, which in turn gives way to faintly visible Earth as a light source struggles to illuminate the landscape: a shaft of white light rising from behind an enormous, reflective mirror.
In the distance behind the mirror, the faint silhouettes of distant peaks mark a mountainous region. Amethyst and Alexandrite have been encrusted to the frame of the dark mirror that dominates the visible foreground, adding the only real color to an other wise monochromatic piece.
An ill-defined humanoid shape can be seen within the reflection of the mirror, though no form can be seen standing before the great pane of polished glass. Focusing on the figure unveils a detail here or there: an edge of clothing, a wayward hair, the lace of a boot; but the face seems to remain without feature.
Focusing on the blank head prompts it to take shape. A nose slowly fades into clarity; color finds the skin, the shape of the lips and jaw forms. At this point, the nature of the painting begins to twist. The darkness that surrounds the light seems to bend and warp in peripheral vision, and the shaft of light dims.
It becomes easier to make out the face, and an involuntary shudder might pass through the viewer when they spy the visage reflected in the mirror: their own. Only the strongest of wills or dimmest of minds would be excluded from hearing the drawn out words spoken with a woman's voice in their mind: "I see you."
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Long, flowing watercolor strokes of a wide brush form the background of this painting. This contrasts with the short, sharp detailing done with acrylic paints and a thin brush. The canvas is high quality, though it carries a grainy texture and appears to have originated from an Underdark fungus. The back of the frame sports tiny Xanalress runes that translate to: "The Chains of Minauros", by Qintarra Vh'larra
Towering cliff faces obscured by a perpetual, disgusting cloud of thick, sickly green fog. A waterfall of acid pours from the heights and crashes into the basin below, draining out into a bog that stretches across the landscape. Crumbling pillars of stone jut out like rock formations, remnants of a long destroyed bridge.
A massive formation of anthropomorphic rock stands partially in the bog, a stone fist pinning a creature draped in numerous hanging chains against one of the ancient bridge supports. A small, armored Elven figure crouches not far away, tower shield over her head to deflect the incoming blade of a winged female figure, her own blade impaled through her opponents stomach.
The central pair fight side-by-side, a trail of eviscerated bodies and severed limbs left in their wake. Decayed bones, shattered armor, broken weapons, and polished skulls of all shapes and sizes decorate the landscape, the legacies of past battles and expeditions into the hellish environment.
Focusing on one spot too long seems to animate the figures caught in the peripherals; the viewer might swear they witnessed the incoming horde moving towards the interlopers. It even seems to create the illusion of falling acid rains.
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Muted ambers, vivid oranges, and deep purples battle each other in twisting, weaving threads that dance and twine together until all become one at the canvas' center. Their edges are dark, fading into the colorless, black backdrop the sphere is transposed upon. At it's center, the blend is bright, giving the illusion of illumination. The back of the frame sports tiny Xanalress runes that translate roughly to: "Love.", by Qintarra Vh'larra
These watercolors are interrupted by a layer of acrylic paints: Icewhites, Obsidian blacks, Faezress Reds and Purples. An immense, rusted iron pillar rises through the center, encased by granite at both ends. Steel arms protrude from the column, stretching outwards like arms searching for an embrace, with shackles in lieu of hands.
Thin wrists, skin the color of painted Obsidian, poke through the tightly latched shackles. A female Drow hangs from her cage in an exaggerated Y pose, slender hands limp; head held aloft, Faerzress red and purple eyes transfixed forward in an expression that can only be read as: "I'd rather be anywhere but here."
The Icewhite tunic and cloak born by the prisoner matches the close-shaven hair she sports. A pin signifying the rank of Matron is affixed to her breast, alongside a House symbol of a screaming skull looming over the prisoner's heart. Tears seem to flow freely over her cheeks and face in real time; an artist's trick of the eye, or perhaps a minor enchantment?
A diminutive Dark Elven female form stands before the prisoner, facing away from the viewer; armor plates colored a shade of deep purple stand out against the backdrop of gleaming obsidian that makes up her armor. One arm is held linear towards the captured Matron Mother, a jagged-edged longsword clasped tightly by a gauntleted hand and aimed towards the unfortunate Drow's heart.
The armored figure's other arm is cocked back like a pugilist preparing to strike, hand posed as if gripping at an invisible sphere. Peripheral vision seems to reveal an orb of twisting darkness that slowly comes into being in the empty space she seems to hold, but it disappears when one's eyes fall back upon her.
Despite the impossible prospect of making out her features or expression, an impression of victorious contempt oozes from the smaller Dark Elf. Wispy, oily shadows stand watch in the background, the forms Gnolls and Duergar identifiable amidst the smoky silhouette's; they stand in stark contrast to the bright color of the rest of the painting - their presence felt, but clearly not a part of the scene.
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This illustration was crafted using two differing techniques. Depictions of the inanimate and background scenery have been painted with sparing wide, flowing strokes of pastel-like oil paints. Conversely: numerous short, thin passes with a fine-haired brush dipped with acrylics create the striking forms of the animate. Small Xanalress runes have been embossed into the backside of the Ripplebark (a fungus that grows abundantly in the Middledark) canvas.
They read:
"The Bridge of Sighs"
by Qintarra Vh'larra
Menacing full plate gives bulk to a slender, otherwise diminutive Elven figure; atop the chest of a hideous Devil/Golem hybrid she stands, left-hand firmly grasping the hilt of a jagged-edged blade firmly sheathed into the Juggernaut's immense chest. Yellow tracers bend against the warping, twisting light surrounding the warrior's fist, raised high above her winged helm.
They stand at the head of a stone bridge. It's length seems to stretch on forever, fading into the red-hued fog that hangs over the horizon. Granite platforms the shape of perfect squares guard the granite crossing, juxtaposed against the river of magma that isolates them.
A whirling vortex dominates the space above the closest platform: a disc of nothingness bordered by bright yellow concentrations of light sucked into the inescapable void. A swarm of Erinyes' are caught within it's grasp, forcefully stretched into it's maw. Wing, limb, blade and bow all bend at broken, unnatural angles; fear, horror, death, wrote across their faces.
Flights of the winged temptresses dance in and out of the bloodfog that stains the horizon. A phalanx of chain-draped silhouette's form into perception at the bridge's far end, a Juggernaut at their head, ever-marching towards the viewer.
Obsidian Spider Guardian's of Lolth
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This sculpture bears the signs of having been chiselled from Obsidian gemstone, but upon touching the warm surface, the grainy texture reveals the sculpture to have been hewn from Granite-- likely, the surface was treated Alchemically to give it a black, shiny sheen.
The sculpture takes the form of an enormous Dire Spider, it's mouth slightly ajar to slightly expose it's silver, venomous fangs. Four brilliant Amethyst Gems have been cut and polished into a convex curve and set into the Spider's eye sockets; flecks of Gold dust have been merged into the Amethyst through an undetermined alchemical process.
Close inspection reveals traces of a sticky, midnight-purple substance leaking from the Spider's fangs, a weak poison that would burn to the touch. Splattered globules of discharged webbing lie beneath the sculpture's spinner, decorating the cavern floor. A Ruby the shape of a flattened hourglass has been set into the Spider's forehead.
Those with the prerequisite expertise would be able to detect the lingering traces of Divine Poison and Web spells.
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An Obsidian pillar rises from the granite floor of Her temple to meet the ceiling. It is exceptionally cold to the touch, leaving a chill sensation upon the skin. The grainy texture of the surface dispels the illusion that this was crafted from gemstone, revealing it instead to have been hewn from a block of granite. It was likely treated by the same alchemical process as the Spider Guardian's that stand watch at Her doors, giving the pillar it's black, shiny sheen.
Thin, interconnecting rings made from bonded Amethyst dust wrap around the entirety of the column. Using only peripheral vision, it might seem that these lines are swimming and dancing across the ocean of Obsidian darkness upon which they float. Touching anywhere else inside these near-infinity symbols, and the finger would seem to disappear into the blackness like a castaway lost at sea.
Inside every third Amethyst band rests the image of a spider with the head of an exquisitely beautiful female Drow. Lines of Silver webbing have been engraved into image, from which the Arachnid hangs upside down. Tiny, flattened Ruby gems in the shape of an hourglass have been pressed upon Lolth's bloated abdomen; even smaller Rubies are set into Her eyes, which give the illusion of following your gaze. If one were to touch the Silver web, it would leave traces of a sticky residue upon the finger.
Those with the prerequisite expertise might detect the lingering traces of a Divine Web and Darkness spells active upon the pillar.
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Thin strands of cotton, a semi-rare commodity in the Underdark, deceptively appear to have been tightly woven together. Though at first glance this appears to be a solid piece of material, minuscule gaps are revealed between each line of material upon a closer look. The number of individual threads is staggering, likely numbering upwards of several hundred thousand. This work of art likely took a number of years to complete that one of the shorter lived races simply could not afford to spend: given the subject of the illustration, this theory is likely true.
From a distance, one would immediately notice the portrait of a Dark Elven woman solely depicted in the center of the mosaic. Her back is turned towards the viewer, silver-grey curly tresses fall over her black cloak. Brilliant, winding purple lines her otherwise Obsidian robes, indicative of royalty.
Defiant in pose, the Drow's arm is raised towards the sky; gauntleted, crimson-band decorated digits tightly grip a staff just below it's head. Decorated by winding, brilliant purple engravings that match the robes of it's wielder, the pole's summit has been set with massive gems that gleam a Hellfire red.
She stands against an unseen foe: indeed, excluding the Amethyst-colored ring that makes up the mosaic's edge, only a sea of darkness greets the observer's eyes. Is it this impenetrable void that she stands against? Or is she embracing the oblivion that it signifies?
Close approach would reveal the finer details: the image-within-the-image, the microscopic that builds the macroscopic. Repeating images are the rule of day here, arranged in patterns that form the larger picture. Colors of red break apart into dancing arachnids, skittering along webs of blood. Rivers of Violet and Heliotrope serpents slithering in great numbers form royal purples, bordered by ebony seas given definition by mauve ringlets. Silver-yellow hair takes the shape of the Many-Ringed Fingers of Kiaransalee.
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Contrasting sharply with the beautiful, intricate mosaic this product of the carpenter's craft sits atop. Considering the artistic flair of nearly everything else in the room, this object seems out of place, despite the obvious consideration paid towards it's placement. Does some enchantment lie hidden within it's hardwood planks? Does some command word unlock hidden magical powers? Is it a gateway to the Abyss, hidden to prevent suspicion?
No, it's just a table.