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Jigsaw Puzzles!!

DB Jigsaw Puzzles!

8.73/10 rating
(119 votes)

Print Available!

I've read out-loud to my boys nearly every night since they were born. It's just something we've kept up even as they have become teenagers, always finding a next book to read. Over the years we've moved from Dr. Suess and Margaret Wise Brown to L Frank Baum and Brandon Mull, from Lloyd Alexander to Neil Gaiman. The past few months we've been enjoying Brandon Sanderson's "Mistborn" and "Stormlight Archive". We've been reading "Oathbringer" lately and a description of the "cognitive realm" called "Shadesmar" really got stuck in my circuits for some reason. Without giving away too much, it's a dark land of black obsidian with colorful crystal trees (and lots of spirits). I thought it would make an interesting challenge to render. Learned quite a bit in Plant Factory about wind and controlling leaf color. I don't know how many more books Ian and Jason will want me to read as they get older. I'll keep at it as long as they want me to. When they finally do move on I will have this scene to remind me of our bedtime ritual.

Member Comments

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Ryan
"@Brendon"
Enough that I might need to start another Stormlight re-read to prepare. I'm holding off on looking at the preview chapters just released.

Fri July 24, 2020 at 8:54 pm

Brendon
"COOOOOOL"
How excited are you for Rhythm of War?!?!?!

Fri July 24, 2020 at 8:43 pm

Brian
"One of your e most striking images"
(accidentally hit enter)..cont..This picture really brings out brings out a visual element of the series for me. Thank you for this very striking and vivid image. Hopefully you can add this to redbubble as I would definately like to pick it up as a gift for someone.

Mon November 19, 2018 at 12:39 pm

Brian
"One of your e most striking images"
I have only started Oathbringer, but this picture

Mon November 19, 2018 at 12:31 pm

Susan
"Long may your bedtime ritual last"
Especially if it keeps inspiring you to do renders like this.

Sat September 22, 2018 at 8:43 pm

Chris
"Fantastic!"
This is striking. Thank you for making this!

Tue September 4, 2018 at 10:22 am

Terry
"one of the best ever"
To me this undeniably one of the best of all time in DB

Wed August 29, 2018 at 8:15 pm

segmentation
"Awesome :)"
Incredible job!

Tue August 21, 2018 at 10:54 pm

Aslan
"Oh My Lord..."
What an amazing image.An utterly stunning contrast of deep, grey darkness and colour. Wonderful

Sun August 19, 2018 at 1:19 pm

Doc Dailey
"Thank you sir may I have another?!?"
Please continue to make locals from Stormlight and Mistborn. They NEED to be made and you're the only person I know who can do them with any sense of justice. Keep up the great work!!

Sun August 19, 2018 at 10:28 am

Ozaawaagosh
"Fanciful "
Fantástico, simply beautiful and fanciful Render, Love it

Wed August 15, 2018 at 6:55 am

Joe
"Must show Brandon"
If you have not yet shown this to Brandon Sanderson you really should. He loves this kind of stuff. Just find him on Facebook.

Tue August 14, 2018 at 6:21 pm

Phineas
"Shadesmar"
This landscape reminds me of that in Angmar in Lord of the Rings Online. The rocks especially. It makes me think of one remaining tree in that land.

Mon August 13, 2018 at 12:41 pm

Nathan Zachary
"Great image; better story!"
This is a great image, but the story behind it makes it phenomenal. What a great bedtime ritual! It's something that my parents used to do as well, and I hope that one day I can continue it with my kids.

Mon August 13, 2018 at 10:48 am

Paul
"Fantastic"
☆☆☆☆☆

Mon August 13, 2018 at 10:44 am

Dragonbreath
"Love"
Been a member for *decades*. I think this is my first time commenting. Love the story, greatly enjoy Sanderson. Would love to see more artwork inspired by your reading with the boys.

Mon August 13, 2018 at 9:03 am

Rodewaryer
"Odd Dream"
I can't get my brain to accept the colors here, it just seems the radical color difference makes the whole picture not integrate in my own mind and the dimensionality looks weak somehow. I'm wondering if the tree colors were limited to blues, whites and grays that it might integrate better.

Sun August 12, 2018 at 10:18 pm

Todd
"Alignment"
Ryan, I've been a Brandon Sanderson fan for quite a little while. (Actually, I've been a Ryan Bliss fan for longer, as it turns out.) I, too, read to my boys; my wife and I both do. They're 10 and 13 years old, and we still read to them. It's cool bit of family time that we just never got out of the habit of doing. My boys got Chromebooks this past year, and I was sure to put your artwork into their desktops. It's just an interesting bit of synchronicity that these things seem be swirling around one another.



That being said, I've had Shadesmar stuck in my head, too. It's glimpsed briefly, but I tend to dwell on the descriptions because it's so alien and compelling. It's nice to see you making it more...tangible. Thanks :)

Sun August 12, 2018 at 8:09 pm

Todd
"Alignment"
Ryan, I've been a Brandon Sanderson fan for quite a little while. (Actually, I've been a Ryan Bliss fan for longer, as it turns out.) I, too, read to my boys; my wife and I both do. They're 10 and 13 years old, and we still read to them. It's cool bit of family time that we just never got out of the habit of doing. My boys got Chromebooks this past year, and I was sure to put your artwork into their desktops. It's just an interesting bit of synchronicity that these things seem be swirling around one another.



That being said, I've had Shadesmar stuck in my head, too. It's glimpsed briefly, but I tend to dwell on the descriptions because it's so alien and compelling. It's nice to see you making it more...tangible. Thanks :)

Sun August 12, 2018 at 8:09 pm

feylief
"Novel Inspiration"
You have excellent taste in fiction, good sir. ;)

Sun August 12, 2018 at 6:39 pm

ChrisW
"Eye-popping!"
I've never heard of Brandon Sanderson, or heard of "Shadesmar," either, but this image is...intriguing. I might have to check it out.



That aside, I really like this pic. The bright foliage on the tree really pops against the dark, black background; reminds me a lot of "Vernalis," another favorite of mine. More, please!

Sun August 12, 2018 at 4:34 pm

Bob
"So Stunning!"
Agreeing with others below...the story of what you read with your children and how this impacts your art is what the art is all about.

Sun August 12, 2018 at 1:16 pm

Todd
"Stunning"
This is very dramatic. The juxtaposition of the vibrant colors against the dark background, even makes the darkness seem more intense. Another beautiful work of art!

Sun August 12, 2018 at 12:35 pm

byrontex
"Two great stories"
Your story behind the creation of this picture is just as impressive and thoughtful as the picture itself. Well done.

Sun August 12, 2018 at 11:45 am

Brandi U.
"Love the images and the story"
I think it's wonderful you and your sons share stories together like this.

Sun August 12, 2018 at 11:06 am

Littlemom
"Looks Great!!!"
What a great memory for you and your kids. I love the contrasting colors of the obsidian and the tree.

Sun August 12, 2018 at 10:32 am

Sharon
"Sanderson!"
I absolutely love all things Brandon Sanderson. It's wonderful to see Shadesmar in the flesh. Thank you for this.

Sun August 12, 2018 at 9:12 am

Lisa
"Freakin' BRILLIANT!"
Oh I love this so hard! It's got the beautiful pop of colors in this otherwise dark and soothing to the eyes background - FABULOUS!

Sun August 12, 2018 at 9:10 am

Phil C.
"Reading is awesome"
I enjoy this image, but I enjoy the story of you reading to your boys even more. Anyone who shares a love of reading with their offspring is A-OK in my book. :)

Sun August 12, 2018 at 9:04 am

Timmo
"Stunning"
WOW.

Ryan, I think we should spend some more time in that world. Love it.

Sun August 12, 2018 at 8:40 am

Susan
"Intense"
I love the way the tree pops.



If I were to niggle at it, I think that the background could have a bit more color while still being dark and in the background. What's there is just a bit more drab than I'd choose.



My kid is 7.5, and we also read every night. I'll keep it up until she makes me stop.

Sun August 12, 2018 at 8:01 am


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