Contemplation

Posted May 30, 2009, 7:35:26 PM UTC

This drawing was a challenge to myself, to see what I could do by taking my time, especially on the scenery, which is where I usually get sloppy. :p

This piece is about the feeling you get when you walk into an old place... somewhere people were many many years ago. When you walk through these places, you can feel their memories. I can, anyway, and I love it.


References:
Girl from faestock
and
Scenery from Exhumate

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Constructive Critique requested.

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Comments

  • Oct 16, 2016, 3:49:24 AM UTC
    Those are some amazing roots and bricks, I could take note!
  • Oct 13, 2016, 5:01:52 AM UTC
    Holy crap, the detail on here... You definitely hit your goal on making some serious scenery work. I love the draped roots. I mean, I know I'm way late to the party with this comment, but I was just browsing old forum threads and your work is really delightful. If you ever drop by again, I would love to meet you.
    • Aug 8, 2021, 3:28:26 AM UTC
      Thank you very kindly!
      I can’t say I am back, but I did finally remember my sign on to this gallery, and am about to make my first new post in… a decade?
      Thanks for the kind comments.
  • Jan 17, 2011, 3:15:01 PM UTC
    lovealy! And I see a mountain of work done here. You are extremely good!
  • Jul 4, 2009, 10:36:17 PM UTC
    This is INSANELY good, Robin. O.O I'm just, I'm jaw dropping over here. Sheesh!
    • Jul 5, 2009, 9:16:31 AM UTC
      Giggle
      Aw, Heidi, you're funny and I miss you.
      I'm very glad you like her.
  • Jun 17, 2009, 11:49:03 AM UTC
    OMG! This is fantastic!! You've done a wonderful job! WOW!! <3
  • Jun 8, 2009, 3:26:41 PM UTC
    This is just awe inspiring Robin. I love all of the incredible details. Wow! You've surpassed me by miles!
    • Jun 9, 2009, 6:25:31 AM UTC
      Nonsense! Surpassed you indeed; I don't know where you get these crazy ideas!

      This took me what seemed like an eternity. I don't think I can pump out many of these in a year. Thanks so much, old friend.
      • Jun 11, 2009, 10:52:14 PM UTC
        Have you looked at your textures? Your work is spot on and believe me I know it when I see great art and skill
  • May 30, 2009, 10:39:41 PM UTC
    ...guh. I want to lick the texture on the pillars. <3

    My only real critique would be to maybe footle with levels to make the whites whiter, and maybe to take out that funky scanner shadow on the left.

    Man, that's some shiny pencil work.
    • May 31, 2009, 7:56:09 AM UTC
      hmmm.. I did play with the levels quite a bit when I scanned it, to the point where if it gets whiter, I start to lose detail. I don't really want to lose any of the detail in this one, so I think I have to leave it as is.

      The scanner shadow is a bitch, I know. Do you think I should crop it? The paper was about half a millimeter smaller than the scanner bed, and try as I might, I just could NOT get that shadow gone. So I reached the dilemma - post it with a little bit of shadow, or crop about 1/4 inch off the drawing.

      Would warn you off of licking the pillars - you don't know where they've been! Wink
      Thanks so much for the comment and critique, it's great to hear your thoughts (though I was hoping no one would notice the shadow.... Laughing )
      • May 31, 2009, 9:30:15 AM UTC
        Oh, dude, I'm so used to picking out the TINIEST scanner shadows on subs on ygallery that that one just jumped out on me. XD I doubt anyone who doesn't go around looking at scanner shadows all day would notice. It's pretty faint.

        Maybe go in with a white paintbrush in Gimp/Photoshop and pick out the areas that're supposed to be REALLY white?
        • May 31, 2009, 9:56:19 AM UTC
          Paint them white? OK, but I think I need a little help here. The parts that are supposed to be REALLY white ARE white, at least on my monitor (as far as I can see, and besides where the shadow is, since whitening that makes it look even crappier (believe me, I tried. Laughing )). Could you maybe point out the problem areas for me, and I'll see what I can do?

          I can't rescan it, since it is now framed (permanently) and on the other side of the province.
          • May 31, 2009, 6:09:51 PM UTC
            To me, they're more of a 10-20% gray, is all XD I keep my monitor settings weird, so it could just be me.

            By "paint them white" I mean use the paintbrush tool in Gimp to just make them entirely white instead of that really faint gray- that way your darks stay dark. It really is fine as is, I'm just being nitpicky and having that art teacher voice in the back of my mind going "make your darks darker and lights lighter, nyah".

            I HATE THAT VOICE.
            • May 31, 2009, 7:41:55 PM UTC
              Laughing
              Well, art teacher or no, I respect your viewpoint. I'll fiddle with it a little and see what I can do.

              I have my settings pretty bright, so maybe it's just me. ROFL Or maybe we're BOTH monitor-settings culprits.
  • May 30, 2009, 9:33:26 PM UTC
    wow the shading and details on this are stunning.
    you captured the atmosphere great. I love the textures.
    I cant come up with much crit on this oneSmile
    • May 31, 2009, 7:59:31 AM UTC
      Yay atmosphere!

      Thanks bunches for your comment. The atmosphere was the main focus, and I think to get something like that across is another one of those great artistic challenges. I'm so glad you think I pulled it off! Bounce
  • May 30, 2009, 7:29:03 PM UTC
    My attention was drawn right away to the roots of the trees and the leaves behind it. This piece is wonderfully detailed Smile
    • May 30, 2009, 8:28:32 PM UTC
      Thank you very much!
      The roots were fun to draw, actually, although they took quite a while. I think I'm starting to get a better hang of how to get textures right with my pencil... Still a ways to go yet, though. I'm working on the next one right now. Yes
      • Jun 6, 2009, 6:40:38 AM UTC
        I would love to see your next work and the skillful use of textures! Smile
  • May 30, 2009, 5:48:45 PM UTC
    I love the detail!! Your stuff is always top notch! I love it
    • May 30, 2009, 8:22:59 PM UTC | Total Edits: 1 | Last edited on May 30, 2009 by Minimaid
      Heart

      Thank you so much! That's quite the compliment. Smile
      • May 31, 2009, 1:59:39 AM UTC
        You're welcome ^_^ you're one of my most favourite artists. I love your work. I always get so inspired to draw something.
        • May 31, 2009, 7:38:23 AM UTC
          Dance Thank you so much!
          It feels awfully good to be an inspiration. You're so sweet! Big Smile
  • May 30, 2009, 4:30:47 PM UTC
    I like how the composition leads right to the girl. There's a lot going on, but the focus keeps it from seeming busy.
    • May 30, 2009, 8:19:31 PM UTC
      Thanks so much! That's good to hear. I was afraid that in the end, the piece was too busy, so it's nice to know that you think it's not (and why, too! Big Smile)

      Thanks bunches for the comment.