Rachel McEwan

- Illustrator & Concept Artist -

[rachelmcewanart]

I just want to take a moment to praise the character creator in this game. Most importantly, getting good eyebrow options...we don't talk about Inquisition.

(This is Naeris de Riva, an Antivan Crow Warrior, I love her so much)

[rachelmcewanart]

I know the Solavellan ending has sparked some intense discourse, with opinions falling sharply between love and hate. Personally, I’m in the 'love' camp, and while maybe my voice isn’t needed, I can’t resist sharing why it resonates so strongly with me. I don’t have anyone in my life who understands (or cares) about this, so here goes.

For me, the ending we got captures the essence of Solas and the Solavellan relationship beautifully. Solas is deeply passionate but also, as I interpret him, inherently reserved. Their relationship reflects this—intimate and private, removed from the public gaze in a way that other romances in Inquisition aren’t. Think of how Cullen’s romance unfolds on the battlements, Josie’s duel is a public affair, Blackwall, when being judged, had the option to be a more public declaration of love, and kissing Doran happened where anyone could walk by and see. These relationships have public elements, while Solas and Lavellan’s moments remain intensely private. Their first kiss takes place in the Fade, the second on Lavellan’s private balcony, and their final meeting is secluded in Crestwood. Even looking to their scene in Trespasser as another example. Their love is personal, something shared only between them.

To me, the reunion in Veilguard perfectly honours that pattern. The fact they even kissed with a small audience was new, but still, they spoke to each other in a language that kept things private. Also, Solas is severely injured and likely in a state of shock—it’s a vulnerable, raw moment rather than one for sweeping gestures. There’s so much they need to unpack, with conversations that may turn heated, but now they have the time to do it. That they even received a happy ending was a surprise, but a welcome one—I didn’t expect it, and it felt like a fitting conclusion.

(A final note that these are just my feelings and interpretation. Everyone's are valid, of course)

[rachelmcewanart]

I could ramble forever about Solas and the Solavellan ending, but more articulate people have already covered most of what I've thought. What sticks with me, though, is the knowledge that on the eve of Solas' ritual, the culmination of years of work and everything it represents and means to him, he's thinking about Lavellan.

That letter he wrote to her hit me so hard. The idea of him sitting alone in the lighthouse with 'victory' so close and yet all he can think about is his heart.

[rachelmcewanart]

So at the end of season 1 Wilhelm says 'I love you' and then at the end of season 2 Simon says 'I love you' which leads to my theory that at the end of season 3, they'll both say it and we'll have a wonderful happy ending because I refuse to entertain anything else

[rachelmcewanart]

Casey could write the exact same book from Henry's perspective and I would eat that shit up and give them all my money, I need to know what was going on in his head. I'm so happy the film is going to give us more of a look at his side for the last third of the movie....but still would love that book

[rachelmcewanart]

hi there!! i was wondering if my partner and i can use your imodna kiss art as matching pfps?? love your work!! 💜🖤

Thank you! And sure, that's totally fine

[rachelmcewanart]

"Can I kiss you?" 💜🖤

[rachelmcewanart]

I keep thinking last night was a fever dream...like that actually happened?

I said to a friend last week who also watches that I'd love to have an Imogen and Laudna reunion smooch but that I would temper my expectations, if only I knew then I'd only have to wait a week, well I don't think I'd believe it haha.

Up to last night I was fully aboard the ship, and have been since episode one, but it felt like it would be a real slow burn or maybe it would stay platonic despite all the signs indicating otherwise, who knows.

And the last thing I expected was for them to smooch while grocery shopping...when Laura said "Can I kiss you" I fully bluescreened. And now I have so many questions like has this always been the plan? If not when did it change? How long has that been brewing inside her? What are Laudna's thoughts on the whole thing because of the two she's the more...aloof or not as obvious at times.

Anyhoo I'm rambling but I'd love to know when you all think the turning point was for them and all that.

(Also please Laura and Marisha be on the next 4 sided dive)

[rachelmcewanart]

I am once again struck by how unhinged this fandom's theories can be at times (and I'm always here for it). We all knew Bor'dor was sus and instead of thinking he was evil we went down the path of "he's a dog"....and it made sense. I totally bought into it!

It's really giving 'Sam is the baby alien on the masked singer' vibes.

Anyhoo I'm excited to see if on 4 Sided Dive they comment on how crazy of a theory it was😂 

[rachelmcewanart]

Mighty Nein Night!

[rachelmcewanart]

It’s Thursday!👀

[rachelmcewanart]

🍂Orym of the Air Ashari🍂

[rachelmcewanart]

The Lovely Imogen Temult

[rachelmcewanart]

Laudna is simply the best

[rachelmcewanart]

Hi, I'm a silly goose and sent my ask when previewing your blog, so I didn't see all your links. Oop. <3 Once my husband and I move, I'd love to order some of your art. It's just so beautiful.

Thank you and sorry if this response is late, I forget to check my messages haha, I'll answer both of your in one. I totally okay with people reblogging my art, helps it get seen! At the moment I'm not taking commissions but I do sell prints like you've probably seen, I might open my commissions up at some point so if I do I'll post about it here and my other socials :)

[rachelmcewanart]

Hello there! :) Just found your blog and I am wondering-- How do you make each character so individualized? They all have features that are so very their own. Were the characters conceptualized or based around people you know / references? (Absolutely no judgement I'm just curious 😅). And if they ARE from your mind- Have you taken anatomy or illustration classes? I ask as an artist that solely paints from mash ups of references and struggles to conceptualize unique faces in my mind. Okay thank you! 😅

Hello! Always happy to answer questions! I do use references, mainly to just get the foundation of the figure right and proportional but I do have a formal art education so I did take many anatomy classes and such over the 4 years for my degree. So I'd say it's a combination, I pull from my brain but if I want to do something more complex then I use reference. I'd say it just takes time and practice, looking back at old work I did absolutely suffer from same-face syndrome, but doing studies of vastly different faces and working on my observational skills helped a lot. The fact you know and recognize it's something you struggle with is already a great first step in pushing your art and growing!

[rachelmcewanart]

💎The Gem of Byroden💎