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Castile181 — Melian
#maiar #doriath #melian #menegroth #silmarillion #neverseenbefore
Published: 2015-04-01 02:19:06 +0000 UTC; Views: 1938; Favourites: 30; Downloads: 0
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"But Melian looked in her eyes and read the doom that was written there, and turned away; for she knew that a parting beyond the end of the world had come between them, and no grief of loss has been heavier than the grief of Melian the Maia in that hour." - Silmarillion p. 188I wanted to show her as just this perfect ethereal being but there is one thing wrong, just one small, tiny thing, but that one thing means the world to her. For me, this was the saddest part of the Silmarillion, imagining how a Maia can be a demigod but still feel grief like that, but it seems to be an overlooked scene. I never see any illustrations or even fanfics about it.
Also, I wanted to make her black and give her natural hair. Maybe it is really unconventional and I am sure it might upset some people, but I really wish I saw people of color represented more often in fantasy works. I like to imagine Melian being so powerful and conquering everything, even racial boundaries. I've never painted dark skin before but I absolutely loved working with these colors and I will definitely do it again.
Please don't repost. Link to reblog: celeborn-of-doriath.tumblr.com…
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Comments: 11
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I really like when i can find depictions that breaks this 'circle of sameness' I see in Tolkien related illustrations. she looks pretty nice, noble and very loyal to the scene - in fact, nicer than many depictions of her I've seen! I don't see why she couldn't assume a shape showing a mixture of 'races' if her daughter Luthien actually was half maia, half elvish - if Eru represents God, then it's simply logical to assume he created all diversity we have! besides, most Silmarillion characters are briefly described in physical appearance. Tolkien also talks about orient, and he created a lot of different races himself - this can be a clue that people should get 'out of the box' more often when approaching his works!
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I'll be washed and hung out to dry - a black Melian with curly hair!! (Yipee!)
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This is stunningly beautiful, i just love her Expression and the atmosphere of the Picture. And it is unusual too, she is so lovely and why shouldnt she be colored? I think that idea is great! The circlet and the details of her hair and Jewelry are so lovely, elegant and very elven. You have done a stunning work here, the fabric wrapped around her looks so real. She looks so proud and strong and yet so sad, very well done.
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I think it's a fantastic idea to make her black. I'd never have thought of it - Tolkien is so embedded in Northern European history that it just never crossed my mind - but this makes a really great Melian.
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First, I have admired your artwork for a long time. Also, thank you so much! I really like the idea that so many mythic narratives have common elements and I wanted to draw on the cultural implications of that to create something different.
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Wow this is amazing! I love illustrations of melian because she isn't very well described. So they're are so many depictions. This is one of the most original and powerful I've seen. And i agree this scene is a hearty breaking one. When a mother knows her daughter is lost. Really sad
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Holy wow! You are officially my first comment ever in the history of my deviantart profile! Thank you so, so much. I agree, I think she is such an interesting character with so many possibilities and I always love seeing how people interpret her in art. Thanks so much for your compliment. I am working on some more characters from Doriath so I hope I can do them justice
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You're very welcome! Thanks for sharing this with us all
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