Helpless WIP - Diane
Diane | 01/29/2007 @782 | edit post

Erm.... I feel a little bit embarrassed posting ANOTHER WIP because I've not had time to work on the previous ones as I would have loved to (I dunno why, just feeling a little bit down at the moment, so I can't seem to be able to paint things I had planned to...) I hope you won't kill me for being so inconsistent in my way of working.... I've recently opened an old sketch I had done of a girl and her leopard and edited it... Since this one was fitting my mood better than the other works I had started, I've added some colours and now it's the most "finished" of the 5 paintings I'm actually working on.... I know, baaaaaaad me I don't like the face. I've tried to edit the features so they wouldn't look like mine but it seems that I can't paint a realistic face that doesn't look like mine without refs (it's ok when I start but when I add details, it always ends looking like me) If anybody wants me to paint her face instead of the actual one, just tell me! The red things on the tree will be hearts (human hearts, not pretty clean ones... well, it may sound a little bit disgusting for now... ) So here's the thing.... feel free to crit, don't be afraid of sounding harsh, I don't mind as long as it remains constructive And hell yeah, I know, it's just "another chick with a looooong dress, stiff pose and things like that " I PROMISE that I'll finish the previous paintings I had started asap 1 2 3 4 closeups : Sorry for not being able to finish the other paintings for now, my mood may change soon though (I hope so!) reference I've done a google search for the snow leopard since I didn't exactly remember how they looked like.

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
deandude | 01/29/2007 @826 | edit post

you don't remember what a snow leapord looks like?!?!? and you call yourself an artist...

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
wildlifehoodoo | 01/29/2007 @828 | edit post

Ahh good work on the snow leopard. they have slightly flat heads but i LOVE them. I used to draw them for a zoo I lived near years ago

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
JordanRoots | 01/29/2007 @857 | edit post

Yes, this looks a lot like you. But I like her like that, If I were you, I would let her like that, but if you really don't want her to look like you; just edit the nose coz this is the part that looks the most like you. Changing a nose on a face changes it completely. I'd suggest making it a tad rounder. But again, I think it doesn't matter if this looks like your face. You have a very strong concept here, I think this is gonna be one of your best paintings so far (if you finish it, of course) MAybe it's intentionnal, but the dress is overly saturated IMO. The whole piece is looking good so far, continue! Jordan

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Ikaa | 01/29/2007 @907 | edit post

...ehh, dont ever never stop using yourself as a model Your face doing just fine!! ...and your not inconsistent in your way of working at all! Let the previous rest for a while, you will come back to it with new inspiration. I have nothing to crit so far, looking great... /Stina

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Diane | 01/29/2007 @917 | edit post

Thank you very much Deandude, Andydude, Jordan and Stina! Jordan : I know about the dress But since I've started using very saturated red, I prefer finishing it like that then adjusting the colours About the face : I must admit that I'm too lazy (and too tired) to paint totally from imagination for now (I'll do that during summer holidays ) because I don't really have free time so, in order to save some time and to finish some paintings during the very very few free time I have, I always use refs (so I don't have to think too much ) and the first ref I can find at the very early stages of morning is...... myself (and I also can take EVERY pose I want to paint because I already have an idea of how the painting would look like) It's just a matter of laziness and an easy way to obtain what I want quickly. BUT I'm not happy to paint myself everytime and I'm tired of doing paintings with always the same face (even when I've not used refs - "deep sea creature" and "lord of nightmares", the characters have ended looking like me) so I actually want to do something different Btw I've a special face (nose, eyebrows...) that may not fit every subject I want to paint Thanks a lot once again! [Message edited on 01/29 @919]

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Donna | 01/29/2007 @925 | edit post

Tsk, tsk, bad girl! I love the motion in the picture. It looks very, VERY chilly, despite all the reds (and I really like how saturated it is). The only thing that bothers me is that her dress looks too stiff right now - I mean, she IS sitting in the blizzard on top of a tree And if it were a really heavy dress, I don't think she would've been sitting someplace high. I love her eyes and face and she's just beautiful <3 Oh, and the peacock feathers! They're so cool.

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Wallace | 01/29/2007 @926 | edit post

Thsi is going great so far! I love what you did with the expression in the eyes I know this is only half way but few things i have noticed: the ear has a different colour palette than the face, and needs some more construction, but I'm sure you will handle that well I might suggest to use strong(er) shadows on the leopard to give more volume and some of the red and tree colours in the fur Her breath is going against the wind, should be carried away by the blizzardly wind to the left. Also don't forget to place that icy breath on the leopard as well It's a bloody good concept you've got here As mentioned, this will be one of your best....if finished Good luck anf have fun! [Message edited on 01/29 @928]

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
BlacKeri | 01/30/2007 @007 | edit post

I'm sorry I cannot offer any crits at this point... The piece is drop dead gorgeous, I already like it the most out of all your works. I love the colours, mood and the design... I am waiting for updates, keep up the wonderful work! =)

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
seeThrou | 01/30/2007 @154 | edit post

I agree that this is my fave of the 3 you have started, though anything with snails in it is very cool. I have no crits, just love the way it's coming together and how well you can tell a story through one image is amazing.

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
aureliecorre | 01/31/2007 @498 | edit post

I love this piece ! It will be awesome when it'll be finished !

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
pawlack | 01/31/2007 @693 | edit post

great. I have suggestion about snow. I guess you used another layer for it and motion blur filter. My suggestion is to use 3 layers. for the smallest leafs - the ones which are most far, medium and biggest - closest. I would leave the small leaf layer alone, for the medium i would use a bit of motion blur, and the strongest one for biggest leafs, but with a little different angle.

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Diane | 01/31/2007 @707 | edit post

Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions! Pawel : that's a great idea indeed! I've added motion blur to all the layers (more to the nearest snow, but there is no big difference between these layers). I'm gonna fix it right now

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Florence | 02/01/2007 @023 | edit post

Wow! I love it !

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Chinchillla | 02/01/2007 @067 | edit post

Wow, Diane. you certainly have a flair for self-portraits.

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Itzpapalotl | 02/02/2007 @348 | edit post

well, i have to say you are quickly becoming my favorite artist. to me the face looks more like ami lee from evanescence. although, the nose is a definate give away. to me though the leopard looks as if it should be closer to the woman (just personal preferance) i love how its going, and greatly anticipate the end result.

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Diane | 02/13/2007 @636 | edit post

Thank you very much for your comments and crits! Here's a little update... I can't really choose if I'm gonna make her look "broken" (in a kinda disgusting way) or just pretty but sad (I find pretty sad girls a little bit annoying now....) Here's the nasty (muhahahaha ) version : The clean one : And a larger view of the clean one : The snow will be back later Btw my best friend told me that she doesn't look like me anymore so IT'S NOT a selfportrait!!!! [Message edited on 02/13 @638]

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Juro | 02/13/2007 @648 | edit post

Very nice Diane.

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
mysticcat | 02/13/2007 @673 | edit post

Well, she's hurt cuz of the injury right ? Though you have successfully shown her pain with the "broken" traces around her eyes, I think adding a few more obvious tears or blood drops falling from her eyes won't be a bad idea. However it's all up to you. Finally, your recent painting speed and regularity just makes me bow down ya know .

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
kittyKat | 02/13/2007 @759 | edit post

hey girl hows it going ok... I was lurking seen your new wip here... well first impressions was why a white tiger in a tree?? the girl and the tiger just doesn't look like it goes well together? or maybe its the BG it self... maybe changing the BG to a old vintage library or something or vintage bedroom something like that ok maybe its the idea of bing in the forest and snowing.. I dunno.. any ways you are prolly to far into this even think about considering changing the BG but hey its an idea laters I will be watching

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Diane | 02/13/2007 @985 | edit post

Glenn : thank you Mysticcat : I think that adding blood tears would be too "explicit" so it would loose its meaning... I'm gonna try it though Pam : this is in fact a snow leopard, I wanted it to symbolise her "hunter" behaviour and also her pride. The tree was meant to show how lonely and unreachable she is. It's also a heart tree ^^ (well, there are no hearts on it for now but I'll add some ) It may be a little bit strange but I guess that my mind is a little bit odd An update : closeup : It's the first time I paint fabric without any ref so please be indulgent... crits are very welcome to help me improve [Message edited on 02/13 @986]

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Diane | 02/14/2007 @498 | edit post

Another update! The fabric is HARD to paint, it's the first time I do such a thing, very interesting to do There must be lots of issues, crits are very welcome! More coming soon (I'm ill so I've had to stay home... the only thing I can do is sleeping and painting so I guess that there will be some more updates today) A closeup of the fabric : ' Oh and btw, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to everybody!!! [Message edited on 02/14 @922]

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
Diane | 02/14/2007 @921 | edit post

Last edit before going to bed, I've too much fever and a huge headache, I can't paint anymore A closeup (click on the thumbnail to see a bigger image) to show you the heart-peacock feathers Crits are very welcome, as always

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
JordanRoots | 02/14/2007 @925 | edit post

Being sick has it's advantages When you first mentionned that you would put real hearts as fruits in the tree, my first thought was: I hope she changes her mind. But now That I see what you're going for, I can tell you that this is a kickass Idea. Very original and looks very natural in the painting (i does not clash with the rest, I mean). The fabric is , so far, very well done technically, and looks beautiful. Is her top made out of metal? if it is: it must be very unconfortable! if it's not: well what is it? Will the background stay like that? It would be okay to leave it like that in order to focus more on the subjects, but I'm not very fond of its colorsheme..Maybe it's just me. Lol, this really suits the valentine's day's theme: hearts and a bunch of red! Awesome work, continue ! Jordan [Message edited on 02/14 @931]

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
navate | 02/14/2007 @962 | edit post

This is really awesome. I can't wait to see it finished. I prefer her "clean" with just the subtle wounds on her skin... A tiny crit though--the blood on her hands is too red and shiney. It looks like thick gel or paint. Blood is darker and thinner (so it the shine wouldn't give it that much volume. )

Re: Helpless WIP - Diane (I know, another WIP, sha
ritaisabel | 02/14/2007 @972 | edit post

dear lord that's amazing oO you're unstoppable. i'm enjoying this piece quite a lot, of course i would like better without the tiger, but that's just me and is still GREAT with the tiger. <333 oh you were saying painting fabric without reference... that reminded me what i was doing yesterday, i painted an hair melting. could you make a tut on that face? i like how you've done the whole face, mostly lips, eyes and the thing around her eyes which is amazing. [Message edited on 02/14 @975]