From the "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth"
" 'Andreth adaneth, the life and love of the Eldar dwells much in memory; and we (if not ye) would rather have a memory that is fair but unfinished than one that goes on to a grievous end.
Now he will ever remember thee in the sun of morning, and that last evening by the water of Aeluin in which he saw thy face mirrored with a star caught in thy hair - ever, until the
North-wind brings the night of his flame. (...)' "
(J.R.R.Tolkien, HoME X)

One of my favourite essay/stories by Tolkien, not only for the insight into the spiritual beliefs of Eldar and Edain, but because of the sad love story between Aegnor son of Finarfin and Andreth of the House of Bëor... Brings me close to tears every time I read it

A short note about Aegnor's hair, before someone bitches about it, imho, this is the best you can get using Tolkien's description as reference and avoiding turning Aegnor into a crazy manga character...
That's all I will say about it.

I have worked on and off on this one for 4-5 weeks, since I had other things to finish first. I am quite happy with the final result, the water ripples are subtle enough and I think the light is right. Anyway, I will have to revisit it soon to add the star, once I know how to make a realistic one.

I have tested this deviation on my Mac and PC, if it looks too dark for any of you, perhaps it has to do with your monitor config or your gamma.

Pencil sketch.
Painter IX, Photoshop CS2 and Wacom tablet.