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RalphHorsley β€” The Endless Maze

Published: 2007-04-29 10:51:14 +0000 UTC; Views: 41176; Favourites: 511; Downloads: 965
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Description The Endless Maze

Acrylics, approx 7" x 11"

Β©Wizards of the Coast. Fiendish Codex; Interior Illustration.

Original artwork sold.

Lidda, Mialee and Hennet use every means at their disposal in an attempt to map and navigate their way through the endless maze, unaware of the danger that lurks so close by...

With the illustration I decided to take an aerial view. This adds to the detachment of the viewer, but seemed to suit the vignette, after all we can see all that is going on, unlike any of the protagonists. Like in the horror movie we know something bad is going to happen before the characters in the film do.

To emphasis the split between the minotaur and the party I placed the corner in the middle of the composition and chose a nicely contrasting palette between the two elements. On one hand you have the warmer orangey/brown hues and on the other cooler rich purples in the shadows.

The lighting was integral to the image. The lightest spot draws your eye in and allows some dramatic lighting on the characters, who are otherwise fairly static. I also put a tiny tip of the orange light on the minotaur. I thought this helped imply that he was just moving into the light and drew us around the corner vuisually.

The strong lighting also allowed for strong shadows, which helped with the mood, and allows me to create interesting silhouette's to fram the vignette image. I particularly liked Miali's trail of string receding into the distance.
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Comments: 137

Darvokan [2007-04-30 22:24:23 +0000 UTC]

Wow, awsome work there...

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RalphHorsley In reply to Darvokan [2007-05-01 07:40:23 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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Kal-aMari In reply to ??? [2007-04-30 17:18:59 +0000 UTC]

Very nice. Excellent job on the lighting!

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RalphHorsley In reply to Kal-aMari [2007-05-01 07:38:44 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much

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MolotovGod In reply to ??? [2007-04-30 17:16:02 +0000 UTC]

Ive always loved mythological stories, paintings etc this one is real good I love the plot

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RalphHorsley In reply to MolotovGod [2007-05-01 07:38:29 +0000 UTC]

Cool. Thanks

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DameDesReves [2007-04-30 15:18:44 +0000 UTC]

wonderful work

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RalphHorsley In reply to DameDesReves [2007-05-01 07:38:18 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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Art-Calavera [2007-04-30 12:15:22 +0000 UTC]

And that's why you always need a rouge on the team..

I like the illumination on the minotaur, it makes great contrast

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RalphHorsley In reply to Art-Calavera [2007-05-01 07:37:04 +0000 UTC]

Thanks. Glad you feel the lighting works

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Mr-Godflesh [2007-04-30 07:13:26 +0000 UTC]

There is nothing that makes me happier than wonderful D&D Pieces. Thank you, good sir for accomplishing this.

^___^

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RalphHorsley In reply to Mr-Godflesh [2007-04-30 07:56:09 +0000 UTC]

...and I very much enjoy working on D&D - so I'M glad we are both happy

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Mr-Godflesh In reply to RalphHorsley [2007-05-01 01:49:07 +0000 UTC]

I know this is all commission work that you are doing for wizards but I think it would be rather badass if you did some D20 modern stuff. I just recently started playing that and it is AMAZING!

^__^ keep on keeping on with the mind blowing work!

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RalphHorsley In reply to Mr-Godflesh [2007-05-01 07:42:44 +0000 UTC]

I must admit I prefer swords to guns - but glad you are enjoying your game

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Mr-Godflesh In reply to RalphHorsley [2007-05-02 01:38:04 +0000 UTC]

there is something magical in converting a Barrett M-82A1 "Light" Fifty into a 160ft ranged weapon and making it do 2D12 X2 with crit. (this sniper rifle in real life can fire up to 2 miles though and can take down roflcopters in on hit. ;_; its not given justice). oh, and HALFLINGS ROGUES FTW!!! (as far as fantasy goes)

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RalphHorsley In reply to Mr-Godflesh [2007-05-02 07:46:50 +0000 UTC]

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megalaros In reply to ??? [2007-04-30 06:57:30 +0000 UTC]

I love how it's just waiting right of out sight. Or visa versa. It's cool to think that this is actual size on my screen. Nice job.

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RalphHorsley In reply to megalaros [2007-04-30 07:55:21 +0000 UTC]

Great - thanks

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hamann666 In reply to ??? [2007-04-30 03:46:55 +0000 UTC]


Love it!

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RalphHorsley In reply to hamann666 [2007-04-30 07:54:22 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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MoNyOh In reply to ??? [2007-04-30 03:41:01 +0000 UTC]

wow! the axe is really great! and the expressions and colors and... well, you know

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RalphHorsley In reply to MoNyOh [2007-04-30 07:53:47 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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MoNyOh In reply to RalphHorsley [2007-04-30 23:38:28 +0000 UTC]

welcome, you deserve all kind of good words for your art, in fact, there arenΒ΄t so many to describe it

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RalphHorsley In reply to MoNyOh [2007-05-01 07:42:08 +0000 UTC]

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eiries In reply to ??? [2007-04-30 03:21:36 +0000 UTC]

WOW. A great way to make a minitor intimidating; you hit the spot perfectly. The lighting adds so much to itl it's incredible!

Two spellcasters and a rogue? Where's Krusk when you need him!?

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RalphHorsley In reply to eiries [2007-04-30 07:53:38 +0000 UTC]

If the Minotaur looks a suitable threat then this works for me too - thanks

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elestrial In reply to ??? [2007-04-30 02:07:44 +0000 UTC]

Wow, very nicely done

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RalphHorsley In reply to elestrial [2007-04-30 07:52:29 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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elestrial In reply to RalphHorsley [2007-04-30 14:44:29 +0000 UTC]

Your welcome

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artfreakguy [2007-04-30 02:06:36 +0000 UTC]

Wow, I really like the concept of them being unaware and oblivious to an upcoming danger. And more so with how you illustrated such dillema!

Yet another beautiful piece!!!!

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RalphHorsley In reply to artfreakguy [2007-04-30 07:51:43 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much

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AfflictedHeart [2007-04-30 00:11:31 +0000 UTC]

This is amazing and I love how you describe the reasons for doing what you do. It definitely helps the aspiring artist. I was more surprised to find you had a deviantart account though. I had clicked on one of your images and thought it looked a lot like many of the different art found in D&D books. I've always been a fan of your artwork so it's awesome to have someplace to go and look at it all! ^_^

So did you take a lot of art classes to get this level of talent or were you just able to draw well and practiced from that?

I've been drawing since I was nine and took my first art class a few months ago during my first college semester. I'm just trying to figure out if taking classes is worth the money or if it's just better to practice on your own and buy books for reference material.

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RalphHorsley In reply to AfflictedHeart [2007-04-30 07:51:31 +0000 UTC]

Glad my explanations are useful.

I have enjoyed becoming part of DA. It is a very friendly community where the members seem genuinely enthusiastic about art. It also gives me the chance to meet the people for whom the pictures are intended.

I studied at school, but am mainly self taught. I would advise you to take classes if you can, it will speed up the elarning process and enable you to learn which questions to ask.

Thanks.

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AfflictedHeart In reply to RalphHorsley [2007-04-30 23:13:32 +0000 UTC]

^_^ Thanks for replying. It is helpful. I already took Drawing I at the school I'm attending. Unfortunately, because it's a community college with several campuses, the classes I need to take aren't always offered at the campus I'm attending. Since I can't drive, I can't go to the other campuses to take the classes I need. I'm hoping the next Spring semester will have what I need. And the other problem is that art supplies are sooo expensive! >.<;

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RalphHorsley In reply to AfflictedHeart [2007-05-01 07:41:55 +0000 UTC]

I hope you overcome your diffilculties. Some art supplies, especially oil paints, are expensive, but there can be cheaper alternatives.

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AfflictedHeart In reply to RalphHorsley [2007-05-01 15:27:45 +0000 UTC]

Well, since I don't do a lot of painting, I don't have to worry about it too much. I pretty much stick to watercolors right now because they're so easy to work with and I think they're the cheapest type out of oil, acrylic or watercolor. I usually just use mechanical pencils, pens and Crayola colored pencils, haha. I'd love to get Prismacolors one day, but they're definitely expensive.

Actually, I was wondering if you knew whether or not the big department type art stores are cheaper or if stand alone, smaller places are cheaper. Around here, I know of Michaels and Artist's Plaza to go to for supplies, but that's about it. MICA is in the city and I'm sure there are art stores around there, but being as I can't drive, I'm at a disadvantage.

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RalphHorsley In reply to AfflictedHeart [2007-05-02 07:45:46 +0000 UTC]

Just using pencils, etc, is as good a way as any to develop your drawing skills and the fundamentals of colour.

As I am UK based it is hard for me to give any more specific advice as I have no idea how the US prices compare.

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AfflictedHeart In reply to RalphHorsley [2007-05-03 22:05:52 +0000 UTC]

Ah, I see. Thanks though!!! ^_^

<3 Jen

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Letdragon [2007-04-29 18:50:53 +0000 UTC]

That's incredible, the lighting, the perspective, the mino!

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RalphHorsley In reply to Letdragon [2007-04-30 07:48:38 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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Letdragon In reply to RalphHorsley [2007-04-30 14:48:54 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome

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JerMohler [2007-04-29 17:27:00 +0000 UTC]

Nice piece, Ralph. I do think that the perspective on the woman in the maze seems a little off/forced compared to the background. But, I absolutely LOVE the minotaur. Awesome colors as well!

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RalphHorsley In reply to JerMohler [2007-04-30 07:47:19 +0000 UTC]

Not sure I'm quite seing what you are over the woman... still glad you like the minotaur. Thanks

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JerMohler In reply to RalphHorsley [2007-04-30 11:59:52 +0000 UTC]

Y'know, I just realized that the "woman" was actually a halfling. That's why the proportions seemed off. My mistake. Cool piece!

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RalphHorsley In reply to JerMohler [2007-04-30 12:11:47 +0000 UTC]

lol

Thanks.

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AquariusWolf [2007-04-29 17:25:28 +0000 UTC]

Wow! The lighting is really amazing!

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RalphHorsley In reply to AquariusWolf [2007-04-30 07:46:24 +0000 UTC]

Glad you think so - thanks

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thespaceinvader [2007-04-29 15:56:49 +0000 UTC]

Methinks they are in serious troubel

That's the best kind...

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RalphHorsley In reply to thespaceinvader [2007-04-29 17:20:01 +0000 UTC]

Oh yes, I think so

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thespaceinvader In reply to RalphHorsley [2007-04-29 19:15:00 +0000 UTC]

=D

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