I have no clue what to name this. *edit* Slapped on a short of generic type name. heh.
I've been working on this piece for. ever. Mostly because I've kept putting it aside/got distracted by doing portraits and writing and playing video games.
And I'm still not 100% happy with it, but then when am I ever.
I painted it mostly with oils, but then revamped the entire thing in photoshop/painter, and added the glowies, which I'll likely go back and add into the original at some point.
edit* did some changes, tweaked and revamped and moved some things around.
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
Sta.sh
I feel there may be a couple minor anatomy issues. The skull seems too tall--there is a bit of a "cone-head" effect going on.
The lengths of the hands, from palm to knuckle also seem a bit elongated, unless she is holding the staff is a very strange way and not wrapping her fingers around it.
I think there is space in this painting for some kind of glowy effects, but I'm not sure they're best used in the corners. I feel like with a classical triangular composition like this the composition should push our eyes like an arrow up to to focus at the peak, which is the woman's face. The swirly spirits are visually somewhat aggressive though, since they're so high contrast against the darker background, I feel like they're fighting for attention rather than pushing our eyes up.
The initial reason that I put the glow in at the bottom was because I felt there was a balance issue at the bottom of the piece and it needed more light near the bottom. The hope was that the glow would fix that issue and also frame her/the triangle shape. Do you think if I left the glow in but toned it down some it would accomplish those effects but also push the eye upward?
Thanks Jayto, great input.
The only thing that sticks as slightly uncomfortable is just how the girl has such a triangular shape; wide base, thinner torso, thinner yet head, then pointed upwards hair, making your eye constantly flow upwards off the image. At least, I think that's what it is. It makes me want there to be something above her! Something floating. Haha. I think what would probably be an easier solution than trying to add a top portion (especially since it's oil) is to maybe just curve her hair to one (or both?) side(s)? Lead the eye back to the trees and down to the ground, down to the dead folks and back up. I hope that's at all helpful.
Her staff deal kind of looks like a giant glowy q-tip. (Not at all in a bad way, I'm just picking on you.)
I will see what I can come up with for the hair. It wouldn't be so difficult to add space above her head digitally, and traditionally I could shorten her hair somewhat.
In terms of triangular shape though I can see your conundrum, and I was trying to kind of base the whole thing off of that type of composition, but if even changing the space above her head solves that then I'm all for trying it.
I've been working on this damn thing so long I want it too look decent, mostly because I've been pretty damned unhappy with most of what I've produced the last 6 month, and I need a new decent portfolio piece (although I do like The Rose, that one isn't bad I guess.)
So yea, blabla. But thanks Ben, I appreciate the help.
(btw, my aim is broken and full of fail and I need to re-install pidgin, but if you ever want I have texting now so you can bug me that way, lol)
And I might just take you up on that texting buggery. You, Reed, and I need to hang out sometime soon!
Also, happy new year!