Rinaldo Attacked

A monster symbolic of jealousy thrusts its serpentine tail into Rinaldo's visor.
I have always loved Ariosto's Orlando Furioso.

My first attempt at watercolors in two years. This is actually quite experimental, I used a large amount of ink and used extra absorbing paper for biomedical use, it's not suposed for watercolor but I like how it absorbs the color so quickly that you can't change a bit.

Minor edits: added digital blur here and there for atmosphere and lowered color saturation because the violet was too distracting.

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Il mostro al petto il serpe ora gli appicca,
che sotto l'arme e sin nel cor l'agghiaccia;
ora per la visiera gliele ficca,
e fa ch'erra pel collo e per la faccia.
Rinaldo da l'impresa si dispicca,
e quanto può con sproni il destrier caccia:
ma la Furia infernal già non par zoppa,
che spicca un salto, e gli è subito in groppa.

-Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, 42:50

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English Translation>

The monster threw a serpent at his breast,
That froze his heart beneath its iron case:
Now through the vizor flung the poisonous pest,
Which crept about his collar and his face.
Dismaid, Rinaldo fled the field, and prest
With all his spurs his courser through the chase:
But not behind the hellish monster halts,
Who in a thought upon the crupper vaults.

-Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, 42:50