You were right Amber, I did want to stare at this long and hard before commenting, or saying anything at all, there's so much to take in. I'm astonished really, speechless, I've known that you're a wonderful artist, and will continue to become better, and I knew you weren't kidding when you said how much work you've put into this before submitting it, but seeing it, that I believe is when I grew lost in staring at this piece.

First, for those that read my critique, I know it's us, so maybe I am guilty of being slightly bias because of it, but I'm not blind to what she has accomplished. This is, indeed, the best piece I've seen you create, my Amber. The poses, wonderful, solemn and elegant, and the stares, they are strong, powerful, if it wasn't us I'd be curious what we are thinking, but I know what the thoughts are, a love too powerful for words alone.

I enjoy your choice in shading, it isn't smooth and mechanical as some artists have become accustomed to with larger brushes, I can see almost every brush stroke, combining as though delicate strands of silk combining to make the artificial light in a very well lit imaginary Universe (or, alas, is it imaginary when it exists between us?).

Then, there's the galaxy you created, the small piece of universe our two characters sit in. There are so many stars placed brush by brush when zoomed up completely close, they almost make a dreamy foggy texture when zoomed out, which almost has to be the case to see the piece as a whole given the size. I love the surreal effect you gave to each planet as well, I'm sure people could try naming the planets if they wished, but I enjoy very much the way you stylized them, tutorials or not, they have your glowing essence to them.

It is, in fact, your very essence I can just feel vibrating in this picture, to me, and maybe it is because it’s me, that I can feel it’s liveliness. I can almost feel the frigid airless space that surrounds everything, as well as the incredible warmth from the sun and stars you’ve so wonderfully placed. Everything really is organized almost to maximize the feeling that is here.

Thank you Amber. Thank you for being there, and including me in a piece that has so much meaning, more feeling than I believe others can comprehend without a glimpse of what exists between us. This, upon seeing it immediately, has become a picture I will forever treasure, but not nearly as much as I will treasure you.


As for the stars rating that is custom for a proper critique, I almost wanted to give you more stars than are in the picture, but I must be fair, given that five stars is the ultimate and zero having nothing, I give you as close to five as I can muster, for I know that with more time, you will create pieces even greater than this, and I look forward to every one of them, and every moment I'm with you as they are created.