‘Make an AWP with the dragon artwork’ is a frequent suggestion I read, although the treatment is unique I still think based on subject matter alone it would be a redundant effort due to the Dragon Lore. So I thought about making an illustration with the same kind of flowing lines sans-dragon.

I was watching Apocalypse now again when I got the idea: specifically the helicopter scene featuring ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ by Wagner. The word Valkyrie comes from Norse mythology, the nords believed that during battle women servants of the gods flew overhead in battles picking out who will live and who will die. Some depictions from fine art feature winged women, some flying on horseback. (That’s why I loved the cavalry ‘horse head’ logo for Col. Kilgore's helicopter division paired with Wagner).

So what I’ve done is made the flowing lines appear nordic with overlapping rope knot patterns with curled terminators, and used them as swirling flight lines for the Valkyrie.

At the beginning I found plenty of ancient nordic reference - what I loved where these ornately engraved ivory horns - I’ve used that idea for the non-patina areas: the scope, stand, and butt. Due to this material decision those areas doesn't wear away. Hence wear mostly progresses in the patina colour transition from a gold tone to a pale silverish metal.

I’ve included a ‘Valknut’ on the barrel block, the three intersecting triangles are believed to symbolise death which I felt was appropriate. The front end of the patina area is supposed to mimic the sun, due to the perspective I’ve used a bit of artistic licence and used jagged lightning rays which are similar to how the Vikings depicted the sun in symbols. Many other elements are rudimentarily drawn which is both in line with the reference artefacts.The second Valkyrie on the spine was a last minute addition, I felt there needed to be a more interesting POV focal point, I roughed out a sketch for the body position then fleshed it out nudging anchor points about until it looked alright - it turns out that’s the bit I’m most proud of to be honest!

Let me know what you think - specifically concerning the wear, colours and style.
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