Funeral of the Sea Snake (Corlys Velaryon)

One of the illustrations I had the pleasure of making for "The Rise of the Dragon, An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty, Volume One" by George RR Martin, Elio García and Linda Antonsson.

This piece is on the funeral of Lord Corlys Velaryon, probably the most famous and remarkable seafarer in Westeros history, and my favorite of all those I made for The Rise of the Dragon.
I think I have a very special connection with this particular piece because I was allowed to develop a very personal idea. The original concept was about showing the family in the shore, looking at the Sea Snake (boat) sailing away to the horizon.

But, I think the true farewell of a man who spent most of his days in the sea shouldn't be with the family, but with the sea itself. So, showing the last sailing of Corlys, that last moment before the sea embraces his body forever after the ship sanks, that last instant of unnatural calm when two non-living elements interact with each other in pure visual poetry like the final climax of a whole life waiting each other, was (in my opinion) showing the real idea of Funeral for such an amazing character.

"Corlys served as one of the regents for Aegon III Targaryen during from 131 AC until his death in 132 AC. Corlys was regarded as the most powerful of the regents. When he died of old age on the sixth day of the third moon of 132 AC, at the age of seventy-nine, his body was placed beneath the Iron Throne for a week. Marilda of Hull and her son, Alyn Velaryon, sailed Corlys's remains to Driftmark on Mermaid's Kiss. Corlys was then buried at sea east of Dragonstone on his ancient Sea Snake. When the ship sank, the Cannibal allegedly flew overheard in salute"

Funeral of the sea snake