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Post by Griffin on Jan 2, 2011 20:39:36 GMT
Awesome as usual. Reminds me of Dinotopia.
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Post by Himmapaan on Jan 3, 2011 17:30:03 GMT
Thank you so much, everyone! Wow, I haven't been back here for a while! Look at all I've missed!! Niroot, you have way too much time on your hands, lol!  ;D From your pink & blue raptors to this gorgeous Olorotitan, they are all exquisite! I thought I was a detailist!! You even included my favorite bird on the tapestry hanging below the seat. One day, when I can pay your worth, I shall commission a peacock from you. To me, there is nothing more beautiful!  So, you used watercolors over pencil on your Citipati. You also did some shading with the pencil. Right? Amazing! Even with watercolor paper, my brush would have surely worn through the paper with that many applications! (Why is it whenever I am commenting on your art, I must use many exclamation marks?) When I did watercolor paintings more often, a long time ago, I remember often using pen & ink outlines over the colors when dried. You know, the dip pen holders with the changeable variety of points/nibs you would dunk into an ink well. So many techniques! Anyway, Niroot, these are simply amazing. Just remind us next time we have a drawing contest, you can't play!  Oh, if only that were true about having too much time! These were sneaked in at intervals between doing the actual work. And they were not all posted here at once, of course. ;D You simply haven't been keeping up, you know. ;D The peafowl is one of my most favourite birds too. But I do have a very great fondness for pheasants, after all. I didn't do any tone on the Citipati underdrawing, but I did draw in some of the feather detail. The tone was built up with the layers of watercolour glazes. I managed to scan some of the main steps which might help explain things:     And dip pens have always been among my most basic tools, I both write and draw with them.  Hmm, I ought to recuse myself from any future drawing contests then. I'm very much impressed by this beautiful artwork, it's just gorgeous. The elaborate detail, the liveliness and kindness in the Olorotitan's expression, the storytelling in one single image, it's a wonderful and fascinating piece of art! I also really like the little figure who's seen from behind - he reminds me of similar types of figures Jacques Callot and other sixteenth/seventeenth century artists used in their imagery. Did you intend to make a specific reference with this little guy? I didn't, in fact; but now I've looked up Callot, I see just what you mean! Thank you for your kind comments about storytelling too. That means so much to me as a (primarily) narrative illustrator. |
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Post by hkhollinstone on Jan 4, 2011 9:42:30 GMT
I LOVE your latest work Niroot, wow! They are so impressive.
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Post by Meso-Cenozoic on Jan 4, 2011 9:54:49 GMT
Oh, thanks for these build-up pics. Really nice to see! I guess what I meant about the pencil shadings underneath the colors are the different feather details you show in the first pic. They almost build up shadings of sorts.
You do know I was totally kidding about your "time on your hands." Hehe! It's just something I say when I see something someone has created that has sooooo much detail. ;D
Yes, I agree with Chris, your Olorotitan picture also reminds me a bit of James Gurney (Well, not James himself, but his work, hehe!)
I do love the Peacock so. The poor little Peahen unfortunately pales in comparison. But, I have seen some peahens that still have some beautiful color markings. BTW, while researching peafowl, I discovered they are related to pheasants. I didn't know that, but it makes sense to me. I also find pheasants stunning! Well, if you ever need a specific kind of view of a peacock, just ask. I have a couple hundred pics saved in a folder filed away on my computer! ;D
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Post by Himmapaan on Jan 4, 2011 18:43:34 GMT
Thank you, HK! Oh, thanks for these build-up pics. Really nice to see! I guess what I meant about the pencil shadings underneath the colors are the different feather details you show in the first pic. They almost build up shadings of sorts. You do know I was totally kidding about your "time on your hands." Hehe! It's just something I say when I see something someone has created that has sooooo much detail. ;D Yes, I agree with Chris, your Olorotitan picture also reminds me a bit of James Gurney (Well, not James himself, but his work, hehe!) I do love the Peacock so. The poor little Peahen unfortunately pales in comparison. But, I have seen some peahens that still have some beautiful color markings. BTW, while researching peafowl, I discovered they are related to pheasants. I didn't know that, but it makes sense to me. I also find pheasants stunning! Well, if you ever need a specific kind of view of a peacock, just ask. I have a couple hundred pics saved in a folder filed away on my computer! ;D One of the many things I so love and admire about James Gurney is that he is as passionate about human history and civilisation as he is about natural history. I am exactly of that mould too. My favourite peafowl is the green. The only difference in the sexes is that the peahen lacks the train, but she is otherwise just as beautiful as the peacock in all other respects. I will ask to take a peek at your peafowl picture library someday. ;D |
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Post by Meso-Cenozoic on Jan 5, 2011 3:28:52 GMT
My favourite peafowl is the green. The only difference in the sexes is that the peahen lacks the train, but she is otherwise just as beautiful as the peacock in all other respects. I will ask to take a peek at your peafowl picture library someday. ;D I will agree about the green peahen having similar body feather colors as her male counterpart (sans the fan). BUT, the poor little blue peahen was mostly left behind when they were handing out the more exotic hues.....   |
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Post by bokisaurus on Jan 5, 2011 5:50:49 GMT
So much beauty in your work Absolutely love them! Really would love to have one of your drawing to add to my collection Wanna trade? ;D |
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Post by EmperorDinobot on Jan 5, 2011 11:57:55 GMT
That is absolutely freaking amazing. My breath is breathless.
The Olorotitan that is.
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Post by Himmapaan on Jan 5, 2011 17:38:18 GMT
Thank you so much, Boki and Emp. Perhaps we can trade with prints, Boki; but I'm afraid not the originals. ;D I will agree about the green peahen having similar body feather colors as her male counterpart (sans the fan). BUT, the poor little blue peahen was mostly left behind when they were handing out the more exotic hues..... Precisely. It's one of the reasons the green wins out for me, even though I do love all peafowl. When I was a child, I once thought that white peacocks were the peahens! That they possess the train, but were simply white instead. I wish that were actually true. Could we petition Mother Nature to make it so, do you think? ;D |
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Post by Meso-Cenozoic on Jan 7, 2011 8:12:00 GMT
Sorry for one last derailment! (We'll have to start a favorite non-extinct animal thread, hehe!) Anyway, have you ever seen a white/blue peacock combo? Isn't that wild?!!   |
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Post by sepp on Jan 7, 2011 8:43:27 GMT
Sorry for one last derailment! (We'll have to start a favorite non-extinct animal thread, hehe!) Anyway, have you ever seen a white/blue peacock combo? Isn't that wild?!! Would that peacock count as piebald? :0 Lovely! |
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Post by Himmapaan on Jan 7, 2011 13:29:10 GMT
No, no, it's no derailment, fire away! They're one of my favourite birds and I'm more than happy to keep talking of them. ;D Yes, indeed, that would count as a pied peacock, and they are quite extraordinary. And to prove we have not derailed:  That was my binding design for the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám. And I think we may have seen this on the first page, but what the hey ;D  |
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Post by bokisaurus on Jan 8, 2011 5:33:24 GMT
Thank you so much, Boki and Emp. Perhaps we can trade with prints, Boki; but I'm afraid not the originals. ;D I can imagine that those originals would be pretty pricey ;D I definitely would love to a print PM me your wish list, and I will do my best to fine them |
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Post by Meso-Cenozoic on Jan 9, 2011 11:37:00 GMT
"binding design for the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám"
Wow, it looks like some kind of beautiful wall-hanging tapestry or rug. Well, since the poems were originally written in Persian, that would make sense, hehe! So, what exactly is a "binding design"?
Yes, I think I remember the second one. It's a wonderful pen and ink! I love your fine detailing! What is exactly going on in the bottom left corner? I see a draped shawl, a bottle, an open book and scrolls. Hmm??
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Post by Himmapaan on Jan 10, 2011 0:34:29 GMT
Both were for the 150th anniversary edition of Edward Fitzgerald's translation of the Rubáiyát. The binding design is essentially the design for the cover, but it's specifically referred to as the binding because the book is bound with the design blocked on the binding material instead of being printed on the cover. In this case, the book was quarter bound in vellum with Laid paper sides. The design was blocked with three metallic foils in gold, copper, and a much paler gold. This is what the actual book looks like.   My design in the earlier post was painted in gouache, but after that, I had to prepare seperate layers of seperations in black for each colour of foil (which all had to register with each other) for the binders. The pen & ink drawing was turned into an etching plate and limited edition prints were made from it for the book:   It's basically another iteration of the binding design, as you see. The objects grouped at the bottom were symbolic references towards the poem itself, but more specifically to the line: ' A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse - and Thou' in quatrain 11. Sorry if you're bored already. ;D If you're at all interested, you can read more (and see the illustrations for the book) here. Some of the illustrations were exhibited at the British Library. There is a picture of me next to two of them somewhere in the 'Pictures of Us' thread. ;D |
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Post by Himmapaan on Jan 10, 2011 0:41:03 GMT
I definitely would love to a print PM me your wish list, and I will do my best to fine them If you're not in a hurry, Boki, I will get back to you about it. Was there a particular piece you liked? The portrait of you as Amargasaurus, perhaps? |
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Post by stoneage on Jan 10, 2011 1:05:59 GMT
Why did you decide to limit it to 1,000 copies?
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Post by bokisaurus on Jan 10, 2011 6:15:34 GMT
I definitely would love to a print PM me your wish list, and I will do my best to fine them If you're not in a hurry, Boki, I will get back to you about it. Was there a particular piece you liked? The portrait of you as Amargasaurus, perhaps? Not at all and that particular piece was what I had in mind... for it's sentimental value ;D Let me know |
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Post by Meso-Cenozoic on Jan 10, 2011 10:05:11 GMT
Haha, I feel a little silly now! Of course, the book binding cover art!  Wow, is your book still available? I imagine it is very pricey (but well worth it)! I also love your Bird of Time. Perhaps a bit influenced by your love of pheasants? The fire-breathing dragon is also very cool! Oh, and I am also amazed at the amount of details and color usage in the swirl of Spring with roses in her hands. Gorgeous! Great job all 'round! It is truly beautiful! (BTW, not the least bit bored.) |
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Post by Himmapaan on Jan 11, 2011 14:02:15 GMT
Why did you decide to limit it to 1,000 copies? It was the publisher's (The Folio Society) decision to make it a limited edition. Hence its being lavished with so many fine production details. If you click 'Behind the book' on its page on Folio's website, you can find out more. Also, The Fine Bindery, who bound the book, has a wonderful slideshow on the binding process. Wow, is your book still available? I imagine it is very pricey (but well worth it)! I also love your Bird of Time. Perhaps a bit influenced by your love of pheasants? The fire-breathing dragon is also very cool! Oh, and I am also amazed at the amount of details and color usage in the swirl of Spring with roses in her hands. Gorgeous! I'm afraid the book sold out within about a month of its release (November 2009), which was a complete shock to me! More so since it was indeed very pricey. I think you are right about the pheasant influence in the Bird of Time. ;D And thank you again! Not at all and that particular piece was what I had in mind... for it's sentimental value ;D Let me know I'm just starting to become very busy again (til the end of May or so), so please feel free to send me a nudge via PM if it's been a long while and I haven't yet got back to you. |
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