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MirrorandImage — Heading to an Uncertain Future
Published: 2011-01-26 00:31:19 +0000 UTC; Views: 2268; Favourites: 52; Downloads: 22
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This is a rare occasion where the picture I had in my head came out EXACTLY like I wanted. I'm so happy with this one!This is the result of a not-quite random doodle. Mirror and I are working on outlining a Star Wars fanfic that takes place at the end of Ep one and I doodled this in the margin. The picture started shouting in my head at full volume so this weekend I pulled out my light tablet and started doodling. Then I found a picture online of the Temple that was at the right angle (I was PETRIFIED that a pic like that didn't exists...) and did a filter out called "cut out" to get it to match the cell-shaded work I've been doing.
I'm just so happy that it looks as good as I think it does.
If you think I'm out of my mind (or if you totally agree with me), let me know what you think.
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Comments: 7
Helooooo! (I'm Utopia87 on here, but you more commonly know me as Volitan from ff.net).
This is great! Its almost impressionist in style, I think. Oh, and just to warn you - I'm an absolute menace for reading too far into things and picking up on the minute details!
I'm not certain that this is post Naboo, when they first come 'home' to the temple? Something is telling me that perhaps, on examining what Anakin is wearing, this is before they return to Naboo, before Qui-Gon essentially disavow's Obi-Wan before the council and tries to take Anakin as a Padawan before his existing Padawan has achieved nighthood?
I love the contrast between the dullness of the background, the un-living, inanimate masonry with the vibrancy of Obi-Wan and Anakin in the foreground. There is a definite sense of 'alive' and 'not alive' about the picture. Perhaps this image was what a Force-Sensitive walking behind them saw? Perhaps this is how Jedi 'see' when they use the force?
Obi-Wan's shock of red hair stands out like a flaming torch - certainly signifying his future role as a guide in someone's life. And the lovely warming colour of his cloak is rather soothing in comparison to the almost bleakness of the background. I think it ties in well with the fic - Obi-Wan was the only safety and home Anakin ever managed to get in the Temple, and the warm colours emphasise that.
I absolutely adore how lanky Obi-Wan looks! That tuft of spiky hair and the Knight's tail still tied at the back of his head! He honestly looks like his cloak is a size too large - like he has some growing to do. And I think this reflects his character brilliantly! He really wasn't ready to be Knighted - he just happened to manage to be the first Jedi to kill a Sith in a millennia, while his master was dying! The Council pointed out Obi-Wan wasn't ready for his trials... and if this is post Naboo, then we all know from your fic how much growing Obi-Wan needed to do to become the teacher and master that he did.
I also like the little detail of Obi-Wan's hand on Anakin's shoulder. It's an excellent visual metaphor of guiding; pushing forward; steering in the right direction. As far as I am aware, the pose Qui-Gon took with both of his hands on Anakin's shoulders is part of the ritual of taking a Padawan (though, don't quote me on that one). If this is prior to Qui-Gon's death, is it a sign of things to come? Is Obi-Wan's hand on one of Anakin's shoulder a pre-warning that he's going to claim him as a Padawan one day? Or, if it is after Naboo, is it a reaffirmation that he has accepted Anakin as a padawan, a silent warning to anyone who'd challenge it?
Another little detail I admire is that the only flesh of Obi-Wan's that is on show is the back of his neck and his hands. I think this makes him just that little bit vulnerable, and just that little bit more accessible. The long cloaks the Jedi wear make them mysterious and a little menacing - but these little patches of flesh remind you they are people.
Anakin looks ready for a fight - or perhaps flight or fight? His posture isn't comfortable and his hands are almost curled into fists! It looks like his uniform doesn't even fit him! The sleeves are too short! (that little bit is what makes me think it is before Qui-Gon's death, that and the messy hair-cut that doesn't look like the Jedi Buzz cut of a Padawan).
Overall, I love this, and I've probably read too much into it!
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Woah, there's so much here I'm not even sure if I can answer everything...
The scene actually takes place after the first movie with artistic license - I never liked that Anakin got his braid and padawan clothes so quickly even though Obi-Wan keeps his own braid. It makes more sense that it happened at the temple, and so I decided to make the image fit my own wants (selfish, I know...).
I love the idea of how a Force-sensitive could see this. I wish I could take "credit" for the colors if only because I was trying to match the actual colors they wear in the movies - again with the artistic license that Obi's hair should be much more red; I dislike how blond he gets by the end, but I'm glad you found them so vibrant.
I, too, like the hand on Ani's shoulder and all the symbology it represents. You're right that Anakin doesn't look very comfortable, "uncertain" is a big part of his future if for not other reason than the culture shock he's about to be exposed to. The sleeves are deliberately short because he's still in his slave gear, and I imagine it's not like he has a lot of spares, a small visual sign of his status.
We're so glad you were able to read so much into it, and we're also glad you're enjoying our fics so much! By all means, feel free to drop by and comment whenever you want - it will boost my non-existant ego.
And again, thanks for the uber-comment!
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My pleasure, Ladies, my pleasure.
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They look, from behind, both hopeful /and/determined -- a good combo and I especially enjoy your background~ that's really good!
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Yay, thanks for the praise!
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Wow! This is a marvellous pic. The sketchy background is great because one's view is immediately drawn to the two characters, but one still can see all the details you put into this pic.
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