Reveal: Shallan's Illusions

[Scriptorian]

A few moments ago in the writing class, Sanderson just revealed that in order for Shallan to produce an illusion of something (presumably with the illumination surge) she must first draw a picture of it. When the video of the lecture is put up, we can get the exact quote, but I just though I'd let y'all know.

Edit: realized the topic name was spoilery.

Edited February 28, 2014 by Serendipity

[Swimmingly]

Oooohhhh. So her hobby of collectin drawings of people and animals is gonna come in handy, is that what you're saying?

[Aminar]

Awesome. I hypothesized this a month or so ago. I'd guess it isn't necessary, but helpful though.

[DiamondMind]

But then how did she turn the deck green in the one of the revealed chapters? She didn't draw a picture, just remembered it.

[Swimmingly]

She spent practically her whole childhood there, during which her hobby was drawing things. I'm pretty sure she did a landscape sketch or two at some point.

[TomR]

I wonder if that's Shallan-specific, common to all Lightweavers, or common to anyone using the Illumination Surge.

[Grayv]

Use this ability to make a memory of dalinar's army and then follow them into battle, when they are ready to fight the parshendi, she puts the illusion behind the real army to make it seem like there are more than there actually is.

[Glaring at the Survivor]

But making an illusion that big would assumably be very draining.

She'd need a lot of stormlight, and she'd glow like neon.

Edit: Grayv, I just realized we both have 31 upvotes.

Edited February 28, 2014 by Stroniax

[Scriptorian]

Now 32 

 

Edit: 34?

Edited February 28, 2014 by Serendipity

[Grayv]

Nice, I'd say "let's have a duel", but i don't know how to sword fight and i have to work tomorrow (Friday).

 

Edit: also, i don't have the book right next to me but did Jasnah or Shalan actually glow when they soulcast? i can understand the spheres glowing but she could hide them in here safehand. Couldn't she?

 

Second edit: was it mentioned that she glowed when she used her ability on the ship to see her garden?

Edited February 28, 2014 by Grayv

[Aminar]

The sketches probably aren't required for things she knows intimately well, like her favorite place as a child. They're a way to help her focus the complexity of an illusion. At least that's the way I'd write it, as from what I can gather, drawing isn't something that helped her find Pattern, it's just a talent she has. Maybe other Lightweavers have to write out scenes or hum a song that reminds them of the concept.

[Argent]

Oh, you know what I wonder?

 

I wonder if some part of her childhood, something vaguely referenced in The Way of Kings, is not in fact an illusion she wasn't aware she had created.

[Glaring at the Survivor]

Nice, I'd say "let's have a duel", but i don't know how to sword fight and i have to work tomorrow (Friday).

 

Edit: also, i don't have the book right next to me but did Jasnah or Shalan actually glow when they soulcast? i can understand the spheres glowing but she could hide them in here safehand. Couldn't she?

 

Second edit: was it mentioned that she glowed when she used her ability on the ship to see her garden?

I assume that Shallan drew in very little amounts of stormlight, enough that to the naked eye, especially during daytime, would be all but impossible to see. (Very hard to notice.) Especially since nobody noticed Kaladin, for example, glow until he started using tons of stormlight at once. When he used a little at once, it was barely noticeable. Especially when in daylight.