https://theshiftingbalance.com/2016/11/15/chapter-1/https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/kahrusthroneeditwp.jpgKahrusThroneEditWP2017-11-08T21:44:22+00:00monthlyhttps://theshiftingbalance.com/the-write-side-of-life/https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ahraemahrenwp.pngAhraeMahrenWP2017-11-08T21:30:12+00:00weekly0.6https://theshiftingbalance.com/2016/11/15/about-melissa-berg/2017-11-08T21:23:43+00:00monthlyhttps://theshiftingbalance.com/2016/03/03/fantasy-maps-and-a-tutorial-on-how-to-make-your-map-look-like-google-earth/https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/mapdrawing.jpgMapDrawinghttps://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-10.pngImage 10https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-9.pngImage 9https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-8.pngImage 8https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-7.pngImage 7https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-6.pngImage 6https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-5.pngImage 5https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-4.pngImage 4https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-3.pngImage 3https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-2.pngImage 22017-11-08T21:15:00+00:00monthlyhttps://theshiftingbalance.com/2016/05/04/a-collection-of-excerpts-related-to-writing-action/2017-11-08T21:13:04+00:00monthlyhttps://theshiftingbalance.com/2016/11/15/dragons-myth-or-science-by-melissa-berg/2017-11-08T21:12:20+00:00monthlyhttps://theshiftingbalance.com/2016/11/15/five-cliches-that-should-be-kicked-in-the-butt-and-then-remolded-and-reused-think-green-recycle-2/https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/samwise.jpgsamwise2017-11-08T21:11:52+00:00monthlyhttps://theshiftingbalance.com/2016/11/15/writing-from-the-artists-point-of-view-by-melissa-berg/https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/pirate-battle.jpgpirate-battleThe sun’s rays shining through the tearing sails, the swinging figures, the bending and blurred edges as though a camera is being used, pulls your eye down to where the real story is happening. The two figures in the foreground, and the epic battle being waged.https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/monochromeaction.jpgmonochromeactionHastily painted background, less detail in the figures along the sides, the direction of their gazes and their weapons pulls us right into the center of the scene. You can almost hear them screaming, the thundering hooves as they charge. All of this created with only the red and orange section of the color wheel.https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/action.jpgactionThe hard angle of the pose, the shape of the fire, and the hastily painted background and border areas bring movement and a sense of urgency to the action.https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/sansa.pngsansaThe entire story in this portrait is her expression. The slight downcast tilt of her head, her eyes submissive as she stares at something she is forced to look at. The bleeding lip telling us that she is obeying out of fear. Yet there is the slightest nuance of her gaze that tells us something else. A need to fight back, an anger growing. We know, that once she gains the courage she needs, and just existing is no longer enough to survive, she will make her stand and kick some serious ass. At least, that’s what we all hope for, right?https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/sunlight.jpgsunlightHere bright colors are used, yellow and gold, greens muted with blue and purple, rust to add some warmth in a quickly painted background. We feel a sense of peace and intimacy, yet the figure’s expression could be pensive and thoughtful. What is she thinking?https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/details-and-light.jpgdetails-and-lightSo much detail in the shadows, or so it seems, if you look closely, those lines are really quite simple, letting your eye fill in what you think is there because of what we see in the foreground. The moon beam draws your focus to the open book, and reveals the story of this mouse reading spells. Was he a wizard that used a bad spell? Or have mice become the rulers of the age, and he is discovering the former world of man long gone?https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/light.jpglightThe hazy moon beams illuminate dust particles in the ancient ruins, drawing your eye to the burning torches and the open door, and a story that is full of secrets.https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/moonlight.jpgmoonlightDetail in shadow shapes painted in monochromatic blues. The only color brings the character into focus. We see Mystery and Mischief in her pose, but a sense of freedom where she sits high on her perch overlooking the city.https://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/atmosphere.jpgatmosphereThe focal point is centered, yet the wisps of smoke and banners move your eye around the image, the sword brings you back to center. In an instant, the story is revealedhttps://theshiftingbalance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/darkbackground.jpgdarkbackgroundVery few brush strokes and color depict the dark forest in the background, while the branches draw your eye to the emotion, the area of more detail and light, her face. And here is where the story is shown to 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