Overall

Vision Vision

Originality Originality

Technique Technique

Impact Impact

Lovely and interesting picture. I love Chrysalis (and snakes for that matter too). And this is one of the best pieces of her that I have seen in a long time.- The idea of showing Chrysalis in her scheming and deceiving nature is not a new one, but I have never seen it done in this way before. I like the focus on her sinisterly scheming nature with her sly, almost seductive smile. The cooler colour scheme with the cyan flame instead of her normal green one adds to the cold menace and works nicely with the rest of the piece.One of the things in the piece I am really taken by is the redesign of her horn and crown. The almost claw-like shape of the crown, as well as the blue crystal shards gives off a both more regal and evil appearance that suits her. And the way her horn is painted more like hardened carapace not only keeps well in line wiht her insectile design, but make her look suitably imposing and intimidating. I am rather fond of both those designs and the overall effect they have for her, something that I would wish to see on her in the show itself.Possibly the most intriguing element here are the serpents.The two snakes seem to reflect Princess Celestia and Luna judging from their coat/scale colour, eye colours and the cutie mark symbols. The black one is particularly interesting, not only from the fact that I prefer its design, but because judging from it being black and purple it could as well represent Luna in her Nightmare Moon incarnation. With that in mind, even if it was not intentional, I find the fact that it is that snake which lifts its head to Chrysalis's side an appropriate touch.It is a nice little detail that each of the serpents has a tear of their sister's colour.Keeping the title in mind, I presume the two snakes resembling the royal sisters here represent Chrysalis' manipulating and deceptive nature, which I consider an interesting concept and idea.- The technique and design is very well executed. The style of both the drawing and the colouring is elegant in its simplicity. I am generally a fan of more detailed work, but the relatively 'clean' style here serves the overall picture and theme well. Though I also have to say that where you have added more in-depth details (such as the snakes' scales, the elaborate cutie mark medallions on their heads, and Chrysalis' eye) it looks phenomenal and adds an extra dimension of lovely splendour to the work. The absence of further ornamentation even serves to enhance these details, which is always a nice touch and a point to consider when painting, whether and where to pull the focus of the viewer.I would normally prefer a background, but the pure black here seems to add to the effect of the sinister atmosphere rather than subtracting from it, as well as pulling attention to Chrysalis and the snakes without making the frame appear empty.The light and shadow are nicely done, and the cold colours lovingly compliments the theme and feel of the picture. Though it is a bit more eye-catching than the other elements in the piece, I am impressed that you managed to make the Celestia-serpent white without making it draw too much attention away from the rest of the piece.There are just two small points which I think looks off. The tear duct of her eye is a rather bright pink, I think it would look better subdued to a darker shade so it drew less attention and did not clash as sharply with her dark coat hue. Secondly, the way that the curve is drawn at her ear makes it seem too rounded compared to the normally sleeker and more sharp way that changeling ears normally tapers to a fine point.- As someone who has always been dearly fond of Chrysalis I love to see pictures of her like this, that not only portrays her lovingly in her dark radiance, but explore her personality and nature. It is a joy to see her with a dark smile and insidious expression, as well as the royal-sister-serpents to represent her deceiving and manipulating nature and talent. Wonderful work.