"Now you try." Moreal directed.
Anelle sat in Moreal's chambers on the floor opposite her. She lifted her hand and traced lines through the air. Anelle poured the tue into the phy symbol and watched as the curved lines shone between them for a moment.
"When painting you need to have a strong image before imbuing the phy." Moreal said.
Moreal lifted her hand and closed her eyes for a moment. A ball appeared on the palm of her hand. "Now creating the object is only the first step. Describe this ball."
"It is a ball. It is the size of your palm… And it is orange?" Anelle ventured.
"Does it look like a real ball?" Moreal asked.
"No."
"Why is that?"
"It feels flat." Anelle answered.
"How so?"
Anelle paused for a moment looking at the illusion. "I…I do not know." Anelle responded.
"That is the reason painting is hard to perfect. People will know if the illusion is poorly constructed from a glance even if they themselves have no clue why.
"The reason the ball looks 'flat' is because it is unaffected by the room's light. The ball has no shadow or highlight. Using this method to change someone's appearance would be incredibly difficult. A room with a single light source is simple enough," Moreal turned her hand and added a shadow to the underside of the ball, "but when you have multiple light sources or a moving one, like a candle flame, it is far more difficult to make the illusion realistic enough to fool the eye." Moreal turned her hand and added a weaker highlight to the edge of the ball, adding the light from the far window to the illusion.
Anelle nodded her understanding.
"Painting is all about tricking the senses. Illusions trick the eyes but the best paintings are not seen." Moreal smiled as she watched Anelle study the ball. "As a Wyrish the illusion you will use the most will not be seen at all. Every sense can be painted and altered. This is how I help customers hear courtesans better by making an illusion that there is no other sound around them. Or creating a feeling of warmth that reminds people of a mother's embrace. Which brings me onto you." Anelle looked up. "Your room was cleaned three days ago and I want you to use it. Over time the smell of rotting fish will fade but until then I want you to practise painting a pleasant smell."
Anelle opened her mouth to protest but was cut off by Moreal's raised hand.