Strange Artwork - the One-Legged Elf

[MerricB]

Well, now I know why 4E art normally shows people just standing and looking at the artist... they can't draw other postures.

I submit for your consideration the cover picture of the recent Themes article: Heroes of Virtue

The picture looks nice on initial viewing, but a few incongruities began to prey upon my mind. The prime one was this: where's the elf's other leg?

Another question that needs answering: where are the dwarf's knees?

There are nice things about the picture: I particularly like the beggar's face, and choice of colours is excellent.

However, a one-legged elf? A one-legged elf who keeps the heel of her front foot off the ground when leaning down to give something to a beggar? (I don't know if you've tried it, but have a go now...)

Sigh.

 

[Klaus]

I agree with everything you said. At the very least, the elf woman's right leg should be affecting the folds of her clothing, even if it was hidden by them.

And that dwarf has ballerina feet.

 

[Aegeri]

Maybe he just likes to dance? Are you saying that Dwarves can't be good dancers? What have you got against short people huh?

 

[caudor]

The answer is simple...she really does have one leg.

Note she is holding the staff; she is using it as her other leg. After she stands up, she will continue hopping down the street Such is the fate of some adventurers. The beggar lady seems to have only one arm.

The dwarf's knees are hard to see. However, if you look at the guy in the background, his legs look a little short to me.

Kinda weird.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Are you talking about a full picture behind the paywall, and the one on display in the page itself is a crop of the full one?

 

[MrMyth]

Are you talking about a full picture behind the paywall, and the one on display in the page itself is a crop of the full one?

The one on display is a cropped preview of the full one in the article itself, which is the one being commented on.

 

[Umbran]

The prime one was this: where's the elf's other leg?

I don't think it looks so odd. Her knee is probably on the ground, behind the dwarf's foot, where you cannot see it. The positioning is *slighly* off for that, but not majorly.

Another question that needs answering: where are the dwarf's knees?

You're looking face-on, he's standing straight, and he's wearing Hammer Pants. You shouldn't expect to know where his knees are.

Ask, instead, what gods of fashion he follows that demand he wears Hammer Pants.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

Ask, instead, what gods of fashion he follows that demand he wears Hammer Pants.

I thought that was Moradin's favored fashion. It's in every book of every edition of every game system I've ever played.

 

[keterys]

No, no... it's showing how truly virtuous they are!

When a one-legged elf and a kneeless dwarf can spare coins for a beggar, you know they're paragons of virtue.

 

[occam]

However, if you look at the guy in the background, his legs look a little short to me.

Everyone's legs are too short. If you can, imagine the elf standing up on her one leg; I don't think foreshortening explains it, something is off.

It's too bad; from the waists up, I really like this piece.