I commissioned this piece from the unbelievably talented Hotwe, who is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, deliberate artists I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I cannot express how grateful I am for the kindness shown towards my imaginary dolls at every step of this process. Thank you! <3
This is a paired piece to this one, also by Hotwe, which I commissioned immediately after finishing Inquisition for the first time. Once I finished Veilguard and filled out how the story ends for these two, I knew I desperately wanted the other half of this diptych.
Close-ups and lengthy notes on the incorporated symbolism are below the cut.
Where the first piece was much more somber and determined, I really wanted this moment to feel triumphant (if not unreservedly happy). These are two people at the end of a long war with each other, and moving forward doesn't mean erasing the road before.
Some notes in no particular order:
Solas's hands are now open, releasing the hard and inflexible grip he had in the original piece
The constellation is Fervenial, the Oak, for its associated concept of Vir Tanadhal: "fly straight and don't waver, bend but never break, and the idea of balance. ...The imagery of the hunter (Adahla) metaphorically striking like a bolt on Solas' plans and forcing a reframing of the lightning/smite-y/fate concept of Fulmenos into a concept of balance and growth/organic/spring" - straight from the artist's massive brain
(I've written about why constellations & stars, especially Fulmenos, are important to them here)
Red embrium leaves for healing
Spring growth for seasonal change
Solas, being pushed forward by the strong wind behind him, is finally able to stop thanks to Adahla's pressure
Adahla's dress is inspired by this statue (San Joaquín, Santa Ana y la Virgen Niña by Juan Alonso Villabrille y Ron), but has been reworked with Dragon Age motifs and emblems
The gold vines are from my post-Veilguard fic for them, The Heart Where I Have Roots
I plan to do one more post with both of these pieces together as soon as I can; their journey's been messy to the max, but it honestly brings me so much joy to know they've landed somewhere like this, and I'm again so thankful to Hotwe for bringing that ended war to life.
i never understood what made your lips on my neck such an intimate affair, until your teeth grazed my pulse and i realized: you could tear open my throat and make me bleed out in your arms. but instead, you chose to kiss.
Full Solas character sheet.
I have been absolutely enjoying myself with this new, simplified design. I was worried Solas wouldn't translate, but I guess it all worked out 😅
If anyone is in the mood for their daily dose of sad wet dog Solas, this is the fic for you. A completely self indulgent piece I put my heart in, and made him cry out his in turn.
I AM ALIVE GUYS! I have to admit, I simply forgot to upload on tumblr 🙈 The good news is, I have some cool stuff to upload👀
About this painting, it was supposed to be a silly little sketch of roathe, cause he's been absolutely taking over my brain. I'm not ashamed to admit I started Warframe because of him and I am having a BLAST! seriously loving it!
If you want to add me as friend, drop a comment! I'm looking for more Warframe friends🥰
I hope you guys like my rendition of this handsome devil~
God damn Dragon Age and their god damn beautiful scenery and their god damn heart wrenching tragic romance. I feel compelled to draw all the moments of dialogs that happen in my head but not in the game because I need more of these two ;_;
a great tragedy of this world is that many things that are bad for you also look very sexy. smoking. riding a motorcycle. that crazy shit they did to saint sebastian
