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a-portrait-in-time — Slate, the Last Gray
#character #oc #escapedslave #amputeearm #guywithlonghair #hidingplace #onearmed #originalcharacteroc #originalspecies #piratepirates #seaocean #soldier #thinkingaboutyou #slavemarket #racespecies #lovesickfool
Published: 2014-07-28 21:40:26 +0000 UTC; Views: 1622; Favourites: 22; Downloads: 0
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Description
Mixed Media: Colored Pencil, Acrylic PaintOriginal Character
Slate is a character from a novel I am currently writing. Too fair to be Dark, too dark to be Fair, he tries to find his way in a world torn by racial prejudice.
I've been told countless times, "Never put gray into skin", but how do you bring to life skin that is already gray? With this in mind, I shadowed his face with purples, pinks, and oranges. These breathed realism into a fantasy tone.
In the surrounding cargo I used crosshatching for the fabric and swirls within the wood.
I reached for acrylic as a last detail. It gave a tousled appearance to his hair and showed reflected light on his face. I added subtle stippling into his shirt to provide a stitched texture.
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Comments: 15
Oh D: I didn't comment on this before now!?
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I find I must comment on this again, this piece is so beautiful, it is one of your best works!
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Thank you. It is a realistic rendering of my character in colored pencil, one of the styles I'm considering for the book, but maybe just for the book covers. I might use a digital illustration style for the individual illustrations.
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Its completely up to you! I have used traditional drawings in my novel Lupine Lights as that's what suits me. But everyone is different, It will look fantastic no matter which way you choose to do the illustrations!
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Cool. Looks like a character with quite a story.
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Yes, he does have quite a story. Slate was a soldier turned slave by his enemies. His arm was cut off for a crime he did not commit. His story is one of hate and grief for what was taken, but his heart finally comes to acceptance - and forgiveness.
I wanted to stray away from the now popular ideas of vengeful anti-heroes, killing their way to justice. People need to read about strong characters who can overcome their circumstances and themselves.
Thanks for the nice comment! 
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his hair looks great, very skillful, nice detailed work. great piece!
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Thank you. I used acrylic paint for the fly-aways. I wanted to give his hair a rough and tangled effect. Thank you for the great comment.
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you're very welcome.
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the skin is so beautifully done- illuminating)
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Thank you. This was one of the first mix media where I used acrylic to show highlighting and reflected light. I'm glad you like it.
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I rly do - its colours r vibrant)
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This was done in prismacolor. I am very satisfied with their high quality pigment. They blend smoothly over each other and do not cake like other brands.
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