Check this out, I've just noticed about this today while merging the scans in PS, I scanned the illo in 3 parts and upside down, and somehow they make much better abstract paintings unintentionally than the finished illustration does on purpose. I have encountered feelings about this right now, excitement for the chance of strong new paintings hidden in this illustration and sadness because they're happy accidents instead something elaborated on purpose.
But the post is about the illustration itself and here it is, it's been three weeks of working on and (mostly) off on this one and now that it's done is time to move on.
I am glad for the potential it has for the final piece but I know that even when I've stick to my goals and made a finished drawing before picking up a brush it's not what it should have, it should not be focused on anything other than stating the values perfectly, but somehow I've been caught up in fiddling with tiny details instead of values (which still need some severe adjustments).
What I'm happy about is that, even if it needs some tweaks on the values, I know exactly where and how much, and even if I've gone way too far with unnecessary detail now my brain and my arm know exactly every shape and movement and it's going to be so much easier to paint it, I have a much better understanding of the image and how to control the eye flow around it.
Now a secret between us, using a kneaded eraser to lift up the graphite back to white for the lanterns is not as good an idea as it appeared to be, using white chalk over it ain't the brightest idea either...
Ok, here's the first linework that was the skeleton to all this drawing, from the moment this line work was done all my body has been urging me to stop drawing and start painting, the devilish little teresa on my shoulder kept whispering that it was more than enough to get to painting. Even if I followed the little sensible teresa advices and finished the drawing it'll be used as one more reference, it's served it's purpose to let me familiarize with the surroundings, the shapes, the values, the flow and the mood I want, but the base for the painting will be a rough line drawing similar to this one.
The palette I have in mind will range from dark blues to fuchsia unless the color thumbs get to look too weird.
But that won't happen yet, I'm going to let this one rest because I'm too much into little details about it right now and I don't think that will be of any good to the final painting, also my goals included a "finish all the drawings first, for cohesion" and I'll try to stick to that (for as long as I can :P)
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8 comments:
Dear Teresa,
Fist of all, weldone and take a rest well. The pencil work looks very interesting and amazing in value. Water looks great.
Best wishes, Sadami
Its looking very good, Teresa. I find it fascinating to see how you work! xx
This comment won't help, but I've got to be honest. I would be afraid to start painting that image too. It's so perfect right now!!!
However, you are so incredibly good at painting that I won't worry. If it was mine it would be done and I would only look back to wonder at the beauty of what I had created. I am so impressed with this drawing.
Wow.
You have the right idea, Teresa. Let it rest a while. Go back and see where you center of interest is and make that pop when you get color there :) Love the rushing waters - you did a fabulous job on that. You know your stuff and it will shine through in the final. Don't fiddle with details; tell us the story :) And stop being so down on yourself - you rock!!!
I will take a rest Sadami, then rock it! Thanks for the suport :D
Pat thanks, you look just like me, favouring wips over just finished works :)
Ben man, I started to read your first line and got ready for a hard punch, then you go and say the sweetest things, this one needs to get better, and if it were you you would rock it until it couldn't get better, I know it and you know it! The good thing is that if I ruin the painting this one will remain so there's no fear lol. I'm so glad you liked it *tighthug*
Rhonda you know me so well! Don't worry I'm not being down on myself, it looks good I know it, but it doesn't look like I want it to look and that's buggin me because I know exactly what it is that I need to change yet I couldn't fix it here, the main star is not the one I wanted, how is it that you always read my mind? Oh well, I guess I'm just tired, will get energized and come back at it and make it work, if it still doesn't we'll at least laugh at it to our hearts' content :D
Wow. All I can say is just WOW. That is simply incredible Teresa. I love everything about this drawing. When I enlarged it I felt this old familiar feeling that I was sucked back into the story of the Hobbit. And I don't know of any higher compliment than that. :) Really this is fantastic, all your hard work paid off.
Wow - Teresa! Your pencil work is sublime. The depth in this illustration is perfect. Such interesting and intricate waterfalls and that tantalising bridge in the background. It's made me rethink one of my ideas already - you can still tell the story with the main characters so far removed into the background. And the best part - there are colours to come! Cannot wait. Beautiful work, my friend!
Crystal you're making me blush! I love to work in pencils but am missing to hold a brush already, I want to make a final painting that makes you forget about this drawing :D
Andy colors to come for sure! And now you've got me thinking about your rethinking, what scene? what was you first thinking? what're your new thoughts? of course it's possible to narrate even having the characters in the background, I'd love you to try it in an illo; I must admit that my first idea was having them closer but after 4 discarded attempts it was clear that the bridge worked better back there :P
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