The details of her dress and armor are gorgeous, and the aura of mysticism and background add to their impact, but what really made me stop and stare was her expression--confidently powerful, benevolent but formidable. I get the sense of looking at a *person*, with a history, and thoughts running behind her eyes even as I watch. That's rare in *any* medium or genre; this is an exceptional piece.
This is indeed the look I wanted Elayne to convey (she is an archmage in AD&D world). The artist read the story of the character and managed to give it life to it. I haven't seen a single friend (who knows the character) saying that it wasn't "perfect" for Elayne.
Always Welcome)