Blog post 18/06/2025
“Raistlin – White Roses” is my new digital painting. In occasion of Raistlin’s birthday, on 17 June 2025, I drew “something” about him as I did in the past years. A personal challenge, a reminder I should draw something for myself. Painted with Photoshop on Wacom Tablet and S Note 9. Raistlin Majere is a character from the “Dragonlance” books by M. Weis and T. Hickman; this is a work of fanart.
This time, for Raistlin’s birthday I asked myself: what would he love to do on his birthday? Well, why not gardening? He’s an expert herbalist, and he needs rose petals for his spells. The robes are black, the black moon is shining its black light. In the background we see the thorns of the Shoikan grove.
Here. Your Day of Life, Raistlin. Alone in the moonlight, focused on some not so happy thoughts, not smiling. Happiness is something you dont feel is part of your life – yet there are brief moments of serenity, buried among the bitter thoughts. White roses, as innocence lost under the crushing weight of life in an unjust world.
Work in progress
Trivia & Faq
Is this scene from the books?
No, it isn’t. It’s fanart, like many, many others. But remember, Raistlin is – other than a mage – a herbalist and healer since he was young. He would have a small garden even in Solace (I think Soulforge covers that). So, every gardener has to trim and tend flowes and herbs. So this scene, even if not specifically described in books (it’s just fanart) is about a black robed Raistlin, master of past and present, pruning roses – or collecting petals for his spells.
Are the white roses about Crysania?
Various users thought the white roses represented Crysania, and I love that interpretation as well; it’s a nice symbolism too, very poetic. Like the Good taking root in his heart, as Crysania hoped. Or the opposite, of course. Like, when Raistlin betrays Crysania in the Abyss, he somehow destroys every nice memory or feeling for her – that in his soul that could be represented as him, cutting away white roses from a secret garden. I find it beautiful that where I drew white roses for the lost innocence of young Raistlin, others saw much more facets of this complex character.
Prints
Prints on RedBubble
Use of this artwork
For any commercial use or repost of this artwork, contact me first. If you’re interested in digital downloads without watermark for personal use, licensing an artwork for a new project, or you’d like a custom print, please contact me.
Use by Fans for publication in themed Fandom groups or Fandom lore videos.
I am okay with “fans” publication, as long as you use the watermarked version of the painting (we entered the era of AI and NFT theft and I already got burned, sorry), and you credit me in the post description with: “Artwork: “(Title)” Artist: “Elena Zambelli @Greenedera”. I kindly ask you to Tag me or send me a notification and insert a link to my website.
Copyright 2025 Elena Zambelli, All Rights Reserved.
Created on: 17/06/2025
