more of the Boy Who Lived oil painting WIP5

[leelastarsky]

It's probably starting to bore the socks off everyone, but you can see what long and tedious process painting with oils is.


Added highlights to the faces and hands, to make sure I'm headed in the right direction. I didn't like how flat and lifeless their robes were looking, so I went over them with some thick paint - to give them more richness of colour.


Another day drying and then working more depth into the robes, and more highlights on the skin.


And a close up - McGonagall was looking a bit like the undead, but she's improved a bit thank goodness. My favourite part at the moment is Dumbledore's hand. ;~P


Whenever I paint, whether it be with traditional media or CG, I always reach a point in the painting where I hate it. I was fascinated that it didn't seem to be happening this time - that I was thoroughly enjoying the painting too much. Heh. Well, I hit that point today, so that was reassuring. For me, every painting is like climbing a mountain - a slow, tedious chipping away - and, just before I reach the summit, I look at it and despair that it will never be finished cos there just seems so much left to do. Soon after, I crest the summit and from there it's a nice rapid glide down the other side! So the fact that I'm now feeling like this is reassuring because it means that the completion of the painting is not too far away! :~D

Hope you're still enjoying watching it grow.

Comments

[feriowind.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! That's amazing! I love the colours and Dumbledore's beard!

[belovedranger.livejournal.com]

Gods, I'm enjoying this! Where to start? Dumbledore's eyebrow and eye area in general...fantastic... and his beard! The robes are taking beautiful shape, with those fabric folds...wow. I love the hint of burgundy under Dumbledore's robes. I like the way Harry's hand and Dumbledore's hand are both "active" - it's as if they're communicating with each other. : )

[nassima.livejournal.com]

Just so you know: this is not boring at all! More like the opposite, in fact. Absolutely fasinating.

And you have this moment of hating your paintings, too? I guess there's always a moment where all the potential ideal paintings we had in mind don't match anymore with what we see in front of us ;)

And for this particular painting, let me reassure you: it's all in your mind, because I can't see how one could hate it! I, for one, love McGonnagall's face. She looks old, and kind, and yet strong, and like she really cares for baby Harry. And you're right, Dumbledore's hand is a thing of beauty.


Can we hope now that the finished painting will come soon? Yay :)

[pelirroja-ljc.livejournal.com]

How do you do that somewhat glittery effect?

[netbyrd.livejournal.com]

Not boring at all! It's inducing wistfulness for me though. I haven't been able to paint properly in over 6 years because apartment living doesn't work well for painting. I've never used oils though, only acrylic. I love their faces!

[trainparty.livejournal.com]

WOW

[astrea-black.livejournal.com]

This isn't boring to me. Baby Harry is cute!

[fools-trifle.livejournal.com]

It's great fun to watch, and not the least bit boring! :)

For me, every painting is like climbing a mountain - a slow, tedious chipping away - and, just before I reach the summit, I look at it and despair that it will never be finished cos there just seems so much left to do. Soon after, I crest the summit and from there it's a nice rapid glide down the other side! So the fact that I'm now feeling like this is reassuring because it means that the completion of the painting is not too far away! :~D

This is the natural law of any creative project that takes time to finish - that you find the point of despair reassuring just shows how experienced you are with the process ^_^

[orange-bastard.livejournal.com]

I love the sparkle in the painting. And OMG you draw hands well!

[moondog.livejournal.com]

I don't even remember how I got to this post, but I'm glad I did: it's amazing.

[lolukomiya.livejournal.com]

Your artwork is amazing! I love the media and motive you've used!
Very lovely!

[godrics-h.livejournal.com]

I hear what you mean about the 'summit'. I get immense relief at the finishing of main characters, but then get all concerned about then having to start background. Hey are going to include an owl?
I love this, Im very attracted to the hint of Red under dear old Dumbles robe. He's a bit 'fancy pants'. I also love that you have a difference between witches and Wizard robes. Mine all look the same. And the hand? Don't get me started on how beautiful it is. I want to bite it.

[ura-hd.livejournal.com]

Simply wonderful

[octagonal.livejournal.com]

Wow! That's simply amazing.

[honeybean.livejournal.com]

Ohhhhhh this is so inspiring.

How on earth do you do this? It's amazing!

I love the bluish colours, the mood, the sparklies, the fact that this is an oil *painting*...

I'm afraid I don't really have anything constructive to say.

Just. Amazing.

[m4g1c4lm3.livejournal.com]

this is BEAUTIFUL! great interpretation of the chapter, i love it.

i hope you dont mind but im going to add you :)

[celestialsoda.livejournal.com]

I really admire your consistency and the way you've stayed true to your original image...me I tend to change everything with each stroke, which is why it takes me forever to finish a painting ;P Can't wait to see this finished, it's been an amazing journey :)

Woah!

[esareh.livejournal.com]

Thats gorgeous! <3 its so sweet!

[ashleigh-713.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure this will be something I'll spend a lot of time looking at, and noticing something new each time. I'm very impressed, and also you've used some of my favorite colors. Thanks for sharing!

~Ashleigh

[dreamcoat-mom.livejournal.com]

Wow! I've been a fan of your work forever, and have left a couple of reviews here and there, but never took the time to really tell you how much I appreciate the strength and beauty of your pieces. You've truly outdone yourself on this one - the depth of character in the faces is absolutely stunning! I hope you don't mind if I add you to my flist...I'd like to keep up with your work, and you seem to be so nice. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pieces with the rest of the fandom!
-Mary (Dreamcoat_mom)

[ravenpan.livejournal.com]

I'm in awe of your skills. they're so amazing.

[a-fallen-sister.livejournal.com]

This is so beautiful! McGonagall's facial expression, especially, is wonderful. Your description of your process is so interesting to me, because I find the same thing - that it's this arduous chipping away. I enjoy it, obviously, or I wouldn't do it, but it really is hard sometimes. I'll look at what I have and bargain with myself, 'okay, just one more bit, one arm', then 'okay, one more, just the shoulder now'. I thought I was the only one that did that!

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

I think it's probably something all artists go through. I can remember my illustration teacher explaining to us, while teaching us the best methods for using dry pastels - "work as much colour into as you can, until you want to throw it across the room, then spray it with fixitive. Then keep working it until you want to throw it across the room again, then spray it with fixitive. Then work it again..." Heh. And, yeah, the desire to fling one's art across the room is pretty accurate when dealing with pastels. ;~P

[liebchen127.livejournal.com]

Hope you're still enjoying watching it grow. I certainly do. And I am really jealous. You're so gifted. I wish I could do a painting like that. It would look great in my living room. :)