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Published: 2007-04-22 02:50:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 11720; Favourites: 153; Downloads: 1747
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Description
"Thus unlamented let me die"Subject(s) / Character(s):
Alastare Valentine
Size:
8&1/2" by 11"
Medium / Tools:
-pencil (H2-8B)
Explanation:
-
Analysis:
“Thus unlamented let me die” is the conclusion of one’s philosophy on death, where as the title was derived from Alexander Pope’s “Ode on Solitude”. The conclusion of this poem is:
“Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lye.”
Perspective was a key element in this piece since I started with the face before adding the hand and glass as an afterthought. The face proved monumentally successful considering I had challenged my rendering abilities by utilizing such graphite as 3B and 4B. When shading such delicate features such as those in the face: the nostrils, eyes, and mouth, using such dark pencils is a great risk because of the detrimental effects they produce on the paper. Originally the windows were placed horizontally, which then caused the subject to seem off-balance. I had an associate help explain the dimensions of the background using a plum line to better place the windows in perspective with the already existing figure.
It wasn’t until the foreground was nearly complete that the lily was added. This was because, without the lily, the left bottom corner would have been an abysmal black, weighing down the viewer’s attention.
The single lily was a reference to a previous piece of mine: “We’re keeping him company” where several lilies crowded around the lone male figure tentatively. (The male figure had been sewing his face beneath an abstract entity that was an umbrella while a vigil was held by the surrounding flowers) and while that piece had the essence of loneliness, since he was accompanied by inanimate objects, this particular artwork was meant as an ode to loneliness: an utter acquiescence to the inevitable and despairing acceptance to it. The lone white flower against the dark background draws attention to the subject of solitary: “Thus unlamented let me die”. There will be none to mourn his passing and none will visit his unmarked grave and in his final hours he has but a lily for company.
Such as Giotto used a technique to draw the viewer’s attention from drifting outwards, into the landscape of the background and back towards the subject, I attempted to draw my viewer’s attention from the hand and glass back into the windows. From Rembrandt I maintained his technique of emerging figures from the areas of deep shadow and his sometimes extreme highlights (this is particularly noticeable in my subject’s face).
The last intentional detail I included was the clouds around the subject’s head. They form a halo.
“Thus unlamented let me die” was recognized for artistic excellence at the 2007 Middlesex County Teen Arts Festival and has toured New Jersey. On June 2nd, 2008 “Thus unlamented let me die” returned to my possession.
Related content
Comments: 200
AbstractDoctrine In reply to ??? [2007-05-10 01:26:48 +0000 UTC]
Thank you. I'm going to try a 9 by 12 soon.
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AbstractDoctrine In reply to mmpratt99 [2007-04-26 18:41:22 +0000 UTC]
Well, yeah. It's supposed to be. Thank you.
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Valicetra In reply to ??? [2007-04-25 20:08:25 +0000 UTC]
very nice, ^^ i realy like the reflections of the window, and the stiching pattern on his face...
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stale-kisses In reply to ??? [2007-04-25 05:17:05 +0000 UTC]
holy shit. that's fantastic. :stares in awe:
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
AbstractDoctrine In reply to stale-kisses [2007-04-25 10:44:26 +0000 UTC]
Heee, told yoou! Thank you for having a look.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
stale-kisses In reply to AbstractDoctrine [2007-04-25 11:05:29 +0000 UTC]
no prob <3 it's fantastic
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AbstractDoctrine In reply to stale-kisses [2007-04-25 18:31:23 +0000 UTC]
I like your avatar, btw. It's adorable.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
stale-kisses In reply to AbstractDoctrine [2007-04-25 23:15:23 +0000 UTC]
aww...thanks babe
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stale-kisses In reply to stale-kisses [2007-04-25 05:19:23 +0000 UTC]
*now able to formulate sentences...sorda*
the way you have that clear boundry btwn the lights and darks but then yet shade them so flawlessly is so enviable. I love the intricacy in this piece..well,..in all of your pieces. My God you have so much freakin' talent.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
deadtotheworldzero In reply to ??? [2007-04-24 00:22:36 +0000 UTC]
You never cease to amaze me... the warping of the clothing though the glass is quite conceptual.. As redundant as this is, good job. :>
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
AbstractDoctrine In reply to deadtotheworldzero [2007-04-24 00:28:42 +0000 UTC]
Nah, thanks for telling me.
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AbstractDoctrine In reply to jedimasterpaul [2007-04-23 19:06:48 +0000 UTC]
Thank you kindly.
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AmySaD In reply to ??? [2007-04-22 20:54:31 +0000 UTC]
My new favourite of your works. I`m totally in love with it. With the perspective, contrast and and all those thoughts you described you`ve created a wonderful atmosphere and feeling for this piece.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
AbstractDoctrine In reply to AmySaD [2007-04-22 21:08:44 +0000 UTC]
It's the new favorite of mine, too. Thanks so much, you always elevate my satisfaction with my work.
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Skoane In reply to ??? [2007-04-22 19:45:26 +0000 UTC]
Stunning piece...fantastic shading and use of dark values!!
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AbstractDoctrine In reply to Skoane [2007-04-22 21:09:31 +0000 UTC]
Thanks, I'm fond of those qualities too.
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CodeOfVulgar04 In reply to ??? [2007-04-22 19:38:18 +0000 UTC]
the glass is just wow! i really love your shadeing.
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TinysBlood In reply to ??? [2007-04-22 14:19:40 +0000 UTC]
this is amazing. Your skill absolutly shocks me still, and I'm an in awe of how well you do what you do. You are by far one of my favorites.
-The wine glass, the trees, the windows, and his face... absolutly stunning.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
AbstractDoctrine In reply to TinysBlood [2007-04-22 14:22:07 +0000 UTC]
Thank you! I'm glad I'm capable of doing work that makes me one of your favorites.
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ani-r In reply to ??? [2007-04-22 12:42:28 +0000 UTC]
Definitely your best work this far. I can't find one single flaw. His eye/nose area looks really realistic and I just want to stare at it forever. I'm also surprised by how you did the windows; that perspective is lovely.
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AbstractDoctrine In reply to ani-r [2007-04-22 14:05:25 +0000 UTC]
You know, I completely agree. I felt overwhelmed the entire time I was working on him because it was all just so sad and so beautiful. Thank you, Ani.
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SandraHultsved In reply to ??? [2007-04-22 10:14:00 +0000 UTC]
wow, impressing!! the glass looks awsome and also the face. great work!!
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AbstractDoctrine In reply to SandraHultsved [2007-04-22 14:04:00 +0000 UTC]
Those were my favorite parts, thank you!
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SandraHultsved In reply to AbstractDoctrine [2007-04-22 16:15:03 +0000 UTC]
I can see that! really amazing!
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QueenIndra In reply to ??? [2007-04-22 08:44:21 +0000 UTC]
the way you translate your thought process is superb, i adore the veins and most of all the trees.. its a brilliant piece, very well done
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AbstractDoctrine In reply to QueenIndra [2007-04-22 14:02:42 +0000 UTC]
I appreciate this- you hardly ever comment my work.
Thank you very much.
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QueenIndra In reply to AbstractDoctrine [2007-04-23 08:24:10 +0000 UTC]
your more than welcome!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Lead-Poisoning In reply to ??? [2007-04-22 06:30:52 +0000 UTC]
Hi AD, This looks so wonderful with all of the details and really dark shades. It always astounds me how you can get so much depth and value with just graphite truly you are a master in your field.
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