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digital fanart of Essek Thelyss from Critical Role, somewhat evocative of formal full-body equestrian portraits. he is depicted as a young-looking slender drow with light lavender skin, standing contrapposto, with his back straight and chin held high, looking at the viewer with a cold haughty expression. he is wearing a lavish winter outfit consisting of black leggings, gray flat-soled boots, a cherry red coat and a darker cloak worn over it. the coat has an asymmetric hemline and leg-of-mutton sleeves, and is decorated with a wide iridescent mint green sash tied around his waist, the two ends of it falling down his sides. the very long embroidered cloak, draped artfully on the snowy ground around Essek, has a very tall stiff collar and a large fur mantle accentuating his shoulders. he is wearing a cylindrical fur hat, his curly white bangs falling over his forehead from beneath it, and his pointed ears with minimalistic silver cuffs visible. Essek's icy light purple eyes are made even more striking by lines of red paint on his lower lash line, and his lower lip is painted white. his right arm is resting on the shoulders of a young moorbounder, which is sitting down next to him. it's depicted as a large panther-like creature, muscular and sleek, with a nose consisting of two vertical slits, short ears, and large tufts of fur around its neck and shoulders. it seems calm, looking at the camera with large turquoise fish-like eyes. behind them, there is a suggestion of a clear horizon and gray stormy winter sky, with greenish early twilight lighting.ALT
a close-up of the above image, showing Essek's face in more detail.ALT

i’ve fallen so far down the rabbit hole of life that i totally forgor i was supposed to be posting my colorful Esseks project! (wherein i paint Essek wearing all sorts of fun colors outside of his signature black and purple, because i can, and because he should)

part one was peachy orange, anddddd

part two is cherry red 🍒

it was also painted last year and was inspired by conversations about equestrian portraits, the potential Kryn versions thereof, and young and impudent Essek wanting to impress people. which very well could have resulted in him commissioning a formal portrait of him standing next to a mighty cat steed (juvenile so as not to take up 90% of the portrait) in his youth 🤭

tip jar!