Daughter of War

[Celtic_Emperor]

It has been quite a while, but its time for my art to make another rare appearance.

This is Rona (pronounced Row-na, not Ron-ah). She is the older sister of Azalyn (another of my original characters you've seen).

While she is a character in one of my mangas, I've opted here to draw her realistically as a portrait for this one. It is my first time ever drawing her. 🙂

I highly recommend a full-view if you want to really see the details, as it is a hi-res picture. 🙂

But, just in case you don't (or you can't because of your connection), I've also uploaded a smaller version that should be able to fit on most screens. 😉

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Artwork by & © Damien Jones 2006
Rona © Damien Jones
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Caution: Short bio below. Don't read if you're not interested.

I don't want to release too much information about her just yet, but she's a warrior, masterswordsmen, and is involved in the war effort whereas her younger sister is not. Currently, she hasn't been seen or heard of in many years by Azalyn, her parents, or her friends and family, leading many to believe shes dead. Her might is legendary and her reputation precedes her wherever she goes.

Rona is a leader in a warband which used to be an elite unit under the command of the king. This warband has broken all ties and oaths of fealty to the king for reasons known only to Rona and her warlord whom she defected with soon after they learned the truth. Since then, Rona and her warband have been branded traitors, all with prices on their heads. Made to look like the true evil of the realm, Rona's warband is often on the move, her and hers leading the lives of vagabonds and black knights for hire.

Confrontations are constant and blood is shed often. Years of fighting and unrest have changed Rona's perception of the world around her, or so it would seem. She's no longer the gentle flower her little sister Azalyn remembers smiling so long ago...indeed, she is now a daughter of war, and if she's to wrest power from the so-called king she must invade her own homeland....a thought that weighs heavily on her heart.

 

[Low_Roads]

An original character of yours is always worth the wait, Vlad! This Rona portrait lives up to her formidable description! The eyes, steely gray and framed by stern, mannish brows, convey the attitude of one who's lived a hard life, filled with tough choices and much privation. Still, the soft sensuality of her lips offers some vestige of the gentler life and friendships she's abandoned. Her very pale skin is well modeled, with good definition to the nose and more subtle traces shaping the eyes, cheeks and jaw. The coppery hair is severe and roughly cut (suggesting, perhaps, the austere necessities of her current existence), while retaining an underlying luster. And her lightly adorned uniform speaks of Spartan durability, forbiddingly black with a handsome military collar! My overall impression as I survey that gaze, is that she's sizing up the viewer... determining the most efficient sword thrust, should necessity arise. I believe I'll withdraw now, quietly... slip away before things turn ugly...

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

LOL, man, you're too good with the comments. Thank you. 🙂

This character (and several of the other elf characters) aren't like the typical willowly elf mages. They're built, they fight, and some have no magical powers at all. In Rona's case, I wanted to give her the beauty she deserves but have her look a bit rugged and weathered (mainly shown in her eyes and how they pitted a bit and she has the racoon-eyes thing going on....thats not actually make-up or anything, though I did give a glossy effect to her lips for feminine appeal). While I didn't draw the eyebrows realistically that way to give her a boyish or masculine quality, I did realize what I had done right away, so I kept it that way. It just made more sense and it worked for me. A warrior whose out and about isn't going to be plucking her eyebrows as if she has someone to impress.

The collar design is a little cheap and is a mixture of Lodoss War-type designs. I don't have any real good designs yet, so these types work fine for now.

It should be noted that she wasn't always that pale. I painted her this way for dramatic effect, as a symbol of what she's been through and what she has become.

The one thing I absolutely had to give Rona was the trademark birthmarks on her cheeks. Azalyn has those as well, and its what I use to tie the two sisters together, visually anyway. They both have red hair, but thats not as much an indicator as the marks would be. At first I going to leave them out, because they gave her a cutesy look and it makes them look like blush marks (which they're not) and because they took away from the gloom of the picture. I like the cutesy appeal they have as well. It helps round out her character and personality.

I think having the birthmarks there is symbolic in it's own way. She may be leading this kind of life, but the birthmarks are like a sign that her true, former self isn't lost just yet. Its one of those ways of showing that a dark character is redeemable. At least, thats how I feel about it. I don't expect anyone else to understand. LOL 😛

 

[His Divine Shadow]

I'm not even going to try and top the LBH's quality review. No way no how. 😛 I will say it is a delight so see work from you again! How long has it been...since April? My goodness! The collar reminds of of the uniforms of the crew of the Silvana from Last Exile, that it does. Black with white ornamentation always seems to be spiffy. Splendid job but, then, the LBH already said that, and far better than I could. 😛

 

[TKLVR181]

Yea, I'm no LBH, but I know what I like!! Love it Vlad, her hair color is really nice, I can see what you meant about the eyes, as well. It's been too long! :super_hap

 

[Violetta]

Wow! I think you gave her a great design. There's a lot expressed about her in just that single picture. She looks tough enough to have been through her share of fighting, but she's still got that trademark elven beauty. And I really like the idea of a departure from the normal frail, magic-heavy elves.

And I thought that collar design looked a tad familiar. 😉 Excellent job. n_n

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

I'm not even going to try and top the LBH's quality review. No way no how. 😛 I will say it is a delight so see work from you again! How long has it been...since April? My goodness! The collar reminds of of the uniforms of the crew of the Silvana from Last Exile, that it does. Black with white ornamentation always seems to be spiffy. Splendid job but, then, the LBH already said that, and far better than I could. 😛

Awwww, you're not? Poopies! 🙁 LOL

Yes, it was April since the last time I shared anything here.

Thank you. 🙂

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Yea, I'm no LBH, but I know what I like!! Love it Vlad, her hair color is really nice, I can see what you meant about the eyes, as well. It's been too long! :super_hap

You may be no LBH, but you could try. Although, it might give you a heart attack!

Thank you. The think my art benefits from its rarity. Its not too commonplace that people are completely used to it, but its around just enough that people know about it (and some look forward to it).

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Wow! I think you gave her a great design. There's a lot expressed about her in just that single picture. She looks tough enough to have been through her share of fighting, but she's still got that trademark elven beauty. And I really like the idea of a departure from the normal frail, magic-heavy elves.

And I thought that collar design looked a tad familiar. 😉 Excellent job. n_n

Yeah, I wanted to put as much into this picture as was reasonable, since its my first time actually drawing her. On top of that, it's a portrait and its realism, not anime/manga (which is significantly easier), so this one was pretty important. Its also my first new deviation for my new Deviantart account that I created after I moved from the old one. So, it was a good way to christen the new account.

As more pictures are drawn, she'll have different poses and expressions, so that will really help flesh her out in a more tangible way than just the story can at this point.

Yes, I wanted to do something different with some of my elves. Everyone expect an elf, whether they're high elves or whatever, to be magic-users who can't fight much, don't wear armor and fighting with a dainty rapier.

Rona is a knight, she does wear armor, and she fights with a bastard sword (I may upgrade this to something larger if I think I can get away with it). She's the complete opposite of the typical elf character.

I forgot to mention this earlier, but Rona is a norse female name that means powerful/mighty. So I chose her name carefully and it really suits her in more ways than one.

Also, Rona and Azalyn are half-elves. Their father is an elf and their mother is human. They also live amongst human society and in human villages, as opposed to the woods. So this goes a long way in explaining why they're different. Azalyn likes to go to the forests to commune with nature and escape from the world, whereas Rona is more assimilated into human culture.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Oh, and one more thing you guys...

Don't be afraid to comment just because LBH gives a review like nobodies business. LOL 😛

What he says doesn't take away from what you say at all, and it wouldn't be a waste to give your two cents even if its similar to what he said. Its well worth it to the artist, at any rate. I'm sure they appriciate the effort as much as you appriciate the effort they put into their art.

I may just have to have him stop. His responses seem to be intimidating folks all over the art boards. 😛

Or, maybe its also my fault. I've been told before my artwork is intimidating and leaves people with little to say (I'm guessing because of it's quality) and that it doesn't belong here. I can see how thats a HUGE compliment, but I don't see how thats fair to me, since it implies (perhaps unintentionally) that I should only involve myself only with peers at my level and higher. And thats not very fun. Its also kind of snobbish in it's own way, that mentality. Its also, indirectly, an insult to you guys, and thats not right either.

I do genuinely enjoy seeing all of your guys' artwork, no matter what level of skill you're at or what talent you have. People might make the excuse that because this is a tickling website I'd fair alot better in a more proper location with my non-tickling work. Only thing is, I already do that, and I'm successful in those places, so that doesn't concern me here on this site.

Ah well. No use thinking about it, I guess. My situation here is what it is. I still haven't gotten used to it though. I think its that way because of how I fare on other sites, by comparison and it would be ideal if it were the same everywhere....or maybe not...that could be bad. LOL! 😛

 

[Violetta]

Well, I personally don't mind seeing good non-tk artwork here. There's a section for it, and I say use it to it's fullest. Sometimes it is true that it can be hard to come up with something to say that ya feel does justice to a picture, but as an aspiring artist, I know the value of even just a "Hey, nice picture" now and then.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

HDS'll see what he can do, then. Perhaps a "Froggie Went A Courtin'" in the background will give me strength. 😛

Lemme see here. First, a comment on the wee pink circles. HDS likes them, he does, for they add a little bit of color and emotion to an otherwise serious face. Her ears as well, I must commend you on. Many an Elf drawing today either has ears so long and pointy one needs no rapier, while others attempt to make the ears as minimal as possible. I myself prefer either the kind seen on a Warcraft Night Elf, which is a variation on the latter, or Deedlit's type, which Rona appears to have ('Course, being the Lodoss buff that you are, much practice have you had over the years. It shows it does.). Did I mention before how much I like the collar? 'Tis the same any time I see a unform done in that style, with a stylized collar rather than a simple one. HDS is a sucker for dark uniforms. A final comment on her eyes: HDS does like the swirl-ish effect you've got in them. The pupil is defined just enough, with the shifting iris lending an air of either mystery or knowledge, depending on your point of view.

*Checks* Nope, not an LBH review. 😛 As good as HDS'll ever get, though. :happy:

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Sammi, you draw. You're not an "aspiring" anything. You're an artist. Give yourself more credit. Unless your definition of artist means something else (like perhaps professional), then you already are an artist. Level of quality, skill, or experience doesn't decide it.

There were times when I didn't think this was true, since I felt, like many, that one has to earn it. Artist isn't something you earn. Its either something you are from the start or something you have to train yourself to be.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

HDS'll see what he can do, then. Perhaps a "Froggie Went A Courtin'" in the background will give me strength. 😛

Lemme see here. First, a comment on the wee pink circles. HDS likes them, he does, for they add a little bit of color and emotion to an otherwise serious face. Her ears as well, I must commend you on. Many an Elf drawing today either has ears so long and pointy one needs no rapier, while others attempt to make the ears as minimal as possible. I myself prefer either the kind seen on a Warcraft Night Elf, which is a variation on the latter, or Deedlit's type, which Rona appears to have ('Course, being the Lodoss buff that you are, much practice have you had over the years. It shows it does.). Did I mention before how much I like the collar? 'Tis the same any time I see a unform done in that style, with a stylized collar rather than a simple one. HDS is a sucker for dark uniforms. A final comment on her eyes: HDS does like the swirl-ish effect you've got in them. The pupil is defined just enough, with the shifting iris lending an air of either mystery or knowledge, depending on your point of view.

*Checks* Nope, not an LBH review. 😛 As good as HDS'll ever get, though. :happy:

Thank you for that. Thats really considerate. But, I had to suggest it to you, so it doesn't feel quite right even though you're being honest.

Just save it for the next piece and we'll call it even, my Contradicto. 😉

(Yes, I said MY Contradicto. I am the one who knighted you as such so long ago, and never you forget, lest a horrible list of tortures befall you! :awe🙂

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Just save it for the next piece and we'll call it even, my Contradicto. 😉

(Yes, I said MY Contradicto. I am the one who knighted you as such so long ago, and never you forget, lest a horrible list of tortures befall you! :awe🙂

Aye, err...Count I suppose. =P 'Course, if you make the length of time between works posted less than half a year it would be easier. 😛 Not that you should rush, but grace us with your talents more frequently, eh?

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Aye, err...Count I suppose. =P 'Course, if you make the length of time between works posted less than half a year it would be easier. 😛 Not that you should rush, but grace us with your talents more frequently, eh?

SILENCE, WENCH!!! *cracks of thunder fall around HDS, intentionally barely missing him*

ROFL. 😛

You bring up a good point, Contradicto. I'm just busy...and lazy...and I procrastinate more than I should. For example, I'm talking to you right now when I could be drawing. 😛

Whats your favorite anime/manga, again? This is relevant.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

For example, I'm talking to you right now when I could be drawing. 😛

Whats your favorite anime/manga, again? This is relevant.

HDS does tend to be an excellent distractor. =P Favorite? Hmm...where's my list, dagnabbit! *Rummages* Bah, I don't have one answer. Must I come up with one? 😛

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Yes. One. And only one.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Bah. Fine, let this one brood.
Deliberating...
Deliberating...
Gah...Gungrave. But, it is a pretty much equal race. I'll give Gungrave the win because I actually own it, while all the others save one I don't, and the one other I do have I didn't like the ending as much.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Why is it your favorite?

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Why? Because, while half of the show is a good 'ol action bit, it relies and builds upon a second half, one that comes first, a tale of two friends who work their way up from nothing to positions of power within a modern mafia. The first half, without being overly violent, perverted, or any of the stereotypical anime themes, manages to tell a story about these two that, frankly, made me more interested in seeing the next episode than any anime had in a long time. One friend kills the other as he grasps for power within the organization and the dead one sleeps, having forseen this and made plans to return from the dead as "Beyond the Grave." He returns as a monster, barely remembering his past, but knowing that he has to stop his friend and save the daughter of the woman he loved. The revenge arc is powerful, with each scene of Grave fighting and defeating his former comrades showing how, for the most part, each combatant still has respect for and is still, in many ways, friends with the other, even as the struggle for power pulled Grave from their circle. The final moments see the two friends, one dead and one alive, fighting again side-by side, and falling together, even as Grave's mission to topple the corrupt organization his friend had built comes to a close with the two's deaths.

This really but a tip of the iceberg, but HDS is tired now and isn't sure if he'll be able to reply again until Sunday, so here this is.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Thats more than enough. Thank you. Now go to bed. 😛

 

[Senshi1]

Speaking for an uncharismatic Senshi, that are very nice picturing! 😀 The hair is my favourite thing, although I like the clothes and the face-dots as well. ^_^ Worth the wait!

 

[DarthGrinn]

LOL I know omg, LBH just ruins it for the rest of us lol... just kiddin'. I love ya man, don't ever dumb-down your reviews; they are the dessert after the hearty meal that Vlad, Umojar, Tyklfynd and co. provide us lowly fanboys.

Vlad, you rock… plain and simple. I'll tell ya, I feel a sting of (positive) jealousy whenever I see your artwork; I have a hobby of creating original characters myself (some I hope to share someday), but I don't have the talent to take it any further than written bios... I suppose someday I'll find the time to learn how to draw...

This is my favorite piece of yours so far. We all have our Lara Crofts, so it isn't alien for one to fall for a fictional character. I love the asymmetry of her face; it reflects the very thing that I find beautiful about nature around us. The way her chin dips in slightly just below her right cheek, beautiful. You seemed to have instinctually made everything asymmetrical. I also really dig her full eyebrows; I just find that so sexy in a woman. It also adds to her aura of strength. *fanboy alert*

Strong women rock; and it's refreshing to see a warrior who does not look out of character (like a model posing with a sword). Everything in her face is a testimony to her strength, and she does not need to pose with an over-sized sword to get her point across. The birthmarks are a lovely touch. A reminder that although she is a warrior; she is still a woman, and can melt our hearts as easily as she can rip them to shreds 😛

Strong, yet delicate. Tainted, yet there is a purity about her that has remained untouched by her dark-life... or perhaps it is the wishful thinking of the male heart who has been smitten by a beauty, long before her blade reached its mark...

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Speaking for an uncharismatic Senshi, that are very nice picturing! 😀 The hair is my favourite thing, although I like the clothes and the face-dots as well. ^_^ Worth the wait!

Uncharismatic? How can you say that!? You are very charistmatic in your own way, namely in your ability to conjure the random and bizarre. 😛

Thank you. 🙂

Hopefully I can make it so the time intervals between uploads isn't like.....2-3 months at a time! 😛