Another interesting discussion on the way women are portrayed in the fantasy art genre: https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?624898-5e-Dragon-s-Eye-View-Sexism-in-Fantasy
Whether depicting female or male figures, I like this discussion and it raises larger concepts for me of the way society trends towards, values, and exploits certain expressions of self more overtly than others. In the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the personality expressions are defined by Introvert/Extrovert, Sensing/Intuiting, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. Images each have a kind of personality, and just like people, they appeal to, interact with, and inspire different personality types differently.
Being an INFJ type, I’m more wired to value subtlety, hidden meaning and potential, which could be considered stereotypically more of a feminine approach. I’m exploring that in style and composition, while trying to avoid tepidness or blandness by still feeling for the passion, heart, and narrative in the image. Subtlety and passion, yin and yang, can be complementary, not opposing, forces.
This series of posters focuses on female characters in a few archetypical fantasy class roles. They aren’t as targeting towards the art styles of most current fantasy brands as they should be for freelancing, but I’m hoping to show the potential of some different takes if done right. I’ve seen these pieces draw positive interaction from a female, non-gamer audience as well as the more traditional fan base for fantasy art, so I’m hoping it’s something I can continue to mould and tailor towards different brand needs.
Painted Monk 