A First Critique for me!

Vision: Having the evil Hyrule Castle and Death Mountain in the background add alot of depth and create a vision of the task ahead for Link. The clouds being created by the Song of Storm add to the power he holds. The idea that he is the one causing it would be better shown if he was playing the Ocarina of Time but it is a Photo Manipulation piece so I understand why it he is not.

Originality: This is one of the darker Link pieces I have seen and it conveys this part of the game very well. The image of Link I think is done very well and created a great sense of his courage and perseverance better than most do. The idea of the Triforce symbol being created at the center of the spell is very original and makes it feel more magical. This view of when Hyrule is evil and conquered is rarely used is Legend of Zelda art.

Technique: The lighting is much improved over the previous piece. The new mountain fits much better and it's darker lighting adds more to the scene. The darkness behind the tree fits the mood of the art much better. The added dust/leaves around the symbol add alot in terms of scene. The level of manipulation is amazing! However I wish you posted a super highres version or atleast some zoomed in parts like you did for V1.

Impact: I want to go back and play some Zelda or pick of a copy of one of the new ones!

(I have to however nerd out for a moment and point out that Link's horse in Ocarina of Time was brown and Death Mountain had a red ring when he was an adult but this is not part of the review.)

First of all, this is a LOVELY piece of work!! I think you did an amazing job on the sky; I love the darker atmosphere, it really adds to the piece and gives it that essential mood. That, as well as choosing a sky that matches the golden/white/cream color in the foreground field. You also did an amazing job on the distance shown in the field in the foreground as well as the background; it's flawless in comparison to your original. They blend together nicely. Further back, the horizon on the right blends together in a seemingly effortless realism. That feel continues all the way to the right and is made even more awesome seeing the effort that you put into the tree line on the far right. I'm also amazed at how gorgeous the mist with the smaller fairies in it is. Incredible depth and atmosphere there. You also did a really excellent job on the mountain and adding the identifying cloud circle around it. Plus, I absolutely LOVE the castle in the far off distance. Reminds me of the old days playing OoT when you'd see it off in the distance.

Going back to the foreground, I think you also did a great job on Navi (or any of the other fairies throughout the games that it could be) and the trail behind her. It's the little details that are making this so amazing for me. Another thing, before I keep rambling about Link and Epona, your concentration on light is INCREDIBLE. The Deku tree, the mountain, the field, Link, and Epona - everything - is lit from the correct angle. And kudos to you for changing Epona's contrast to match the lighting. Now back to Link and Epona. I can see that you were very thoughtful and mindful to his outfit. It's stunning and the realism there is also immaculate and incredible. I also love Epona's expression - it really lets you read into the piece. <3

While overall this is a stunning and jaw dropping piece (if I had the money I'd buy one the size of my wall), I do have a few helpful critiques too.
- Loving LoZ, I know that Link doesn't have that long of hair - but somehow you pulled it off and it actually fits in very nicely with the piece.
- His right hand is at a bit awkward of an angle holding his ocarina. I appreciate that it's easier to notice behind him as opposed to at his side, and I love how it catches the light, but its still an awkward angle. It does however also let you imagine that maybe he's trying to hide it away from Ganon's view from the dark castle though.
- Before going back to Link, I actually didn't get right off the bat that that was a triforce in the middle... I see it now, but I think what would make it clearer is if the edge between the top point of the right triangle and the bottom right point of the top triangle as a bit more established as a line. I LOVE this effect, though. It really fits in nicely with the piece.
- These next two things kinda bug me though... But I still love this piece.
1. The sword. Riding on a horse, especially how Link gallops across Hyrule, that sword would not be okay like that. I love all the detail on it and how gorgeous you made it look (incredible) but it's, sadly, not realistic. If that were me riding, it'd be afraid of loosing my sword out the bottom of my belt. It might be okay for walking around though.
1 continued. The sword has no sheath! While it's pretty like that, think about Epona! He side would be bloodied pretty badly and Link might even get a cut or two on his calf or boot.
2. The way Link is riding Epona... I didn't have a problem with this until I looked closer, and because Epona's side is in shadow it still isn't that much of an aesthetic problem...it's just my problem with realism again. If you try to ride a horse like that, you're probably going to fall off. While I know Link does backflips off Epona in TP, that doesn't mean he gets to ride Epona awkwardly. If you'll notice, Link's right leg is is back on Epona's flank. It needs to be another shoe-length forward to look more realistic, and in real life, your foot is about midway between the horses's elbow and their knee, on the round part of their belly. Not to mention that riding a horse like that is difficult. You really have to extend your hip back in order to get your foot that far back (talking from experience riding my horse). It looks great in composition, but in realism it doesn't work that well.
(also, not a big deal because since LoZ:TP it hasn't seemed to matter overly much, but Link is originally left handed. In this work he's right handed. Sorry for being a nerd and knowing that. )

Overall however, I think this is an amazing piece. A thousand congratulations to you for this awesome fan art and for such a beautiful improvement over the original. This is incredible, and even after writing all this I still don't want to stop looking at this picture. Truly an incredible job. Your attention to detail, lighting, composition and manipulation is flawless.
Absolutely gorgeous. <3