Those few that have survived an encounter with an Alvaiser claim to have been generously granted a second chance at life, and speak earnestly of the tremendous awe and humility they felt during what is now commonly described as the ‘spirit judgement’ – a personal trial of the soul.

Alvaiser are supernatural woodland spirits, keenly watching all who venture into their forests. They are guardians and protectors of the natural world, seeking without compunction to redress the actions of human weakness and violence. They are primarily found in areas where trauma and death has affected the natural balance of the environment, and therefore take what is necessary to achieve the required equilibrium within their individual location.

Appearing in human form as beautiful semi-transparent goddesses, they float amongst the treetops, glowing majestically in flowing white gowns that separate into ribbons below their waist, where no further human form remains. Their long hair radiates a warm and enveloping heat, and their hands emit a vaporous blue energy that silently flashes with arcane potential.

All who gaze upon the Alvaiser find themselves stupefyingly transfixed and unable to turn away. Reaching down to touch the head of their target, they communicate solely through direct thoughts and images into the mind, prompting powerful sensations of extreme loss, confusion, and submission, and decisively searching the soul to determine a suitable sacrifice for their needs.

Victims of an encounter with an Alvaiser are never seen again – they magically cease to exist and no remains are ever found. Those who pass judgement however, continue on to live with a new appreciation for the world they share, and believe that their personal destiny is favourably altered forevermore.

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A potentially fatal encounter for travellers in my ongoing fantasy project Tales of Quahnarren. The Alvaiser are equally feared and respected, and feature heavily in the folklore and historic fables told across Quahnarren.

This illustration was created in both Painter and Photoshop, and is one of the enjoyable quicker pieces I’ve completed recently using a palette knife style. This image was initially produced in Painter, only in black & white, and then coloured and altered within Photoshop. This technique allows me to firstly concentrate solely on the complete composition, values, and contrast, before progressing on to determine a final colour palette, add/delete/alter any details and textures, and to fully develop the atmosphere I wish the subject and overall image to convey.

Below are a few small sections of the illustration showing the differences between an unfinished early black & white version, and the final coloured piece. The advantage for this particular image of using individual programs for separate stages of production, was the ability to work with a specific brush style within Painter, and then import that base art into Photoshop (a program I have considerably more experience in using), where I could easily add the required highlighting effects onto my existing art.

As part of this personal project I’ve been compiling various notes and descriptions of the people, creatures, historical events, customs, and spiritual beliefs of all those that play a significant role within this fantasy world, and will continue to produce new illustrations of a diverse selection of these elements as I move onwards in the creation of this world.