The Valiant Warrior

Sídhirien, Daughter of the Watchful Peace, Daughter of Sídheldes of Doriath and Alagosdir of Lindon, the Steadfast Warrior, Former Scout of Imladris, Maiden of Snows, Bringer of Ill Tidings, and Wielder of Laegrist, the Keen Cleaver.

View the full image here.

View the Step-by-Step process here.

So this image took me a good 12+ hours to craft, all the way from sketching to coloring and applying textures. The original inspiration was a series of digitally crafted stained glass art by Marissa Garner. 

A lot of the imagery in this picture is very symbolic, just like the Gothic window art it's based off. The top three emblems each represent Sídhirien's origins, with the leaf representing Rivendell and it's eternal autumn. The cave flanked by trees is a representation of Doriath, where Sídhirien's mother Sídheldes lived as a court poet. The white ship points to Síd's roots in Lindon, where her father Alagosdir originated.

Stars, the moon, and the night are all very important aspects of Elven culture, and Sídhirien is no different from other Elves in worshipping them. The snow-capped Misty Mountains are also present, being the place where Sídhirien has spent most of her life in as a scout - and thus becoming closely associated with snow. The lower half of the picture depicts Rivendell and the Last Homely House.

Here Sídhirien is wearing ceremonial armour made of steel and green and brown leathers, with her sword Laegrist, the Keen Cleaver, which was passed down to her by the parents of the now-deceased Díllothel, who wielded it with deadly efficiency whenever she was out.

All in all, a very fun and very time-consuming piece! (PS: Please don't ask me to design armour or clothes. I suck at it. Also sorry for any weird anatomy.)