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jkearney — Falling Stars
Published: 2005-02-05 21:38:57 +0000 UTC; Views: 1314; Favourites: 31; Downloads: 161
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Description
A new painting--made with pencils, watercolor, and pretzel salt! The little 'stars' in the background were created using the pretzel salt on wet watercolor paint and letting it dry. (The salt was then brushed off). It's a fun effect, but you have to be patient and let it dry all the way (or just get a blowdryer). For some reason I'm really happy with his shirt--it turned out very smooth with a little bit of gradient. Well, please feel free to tell me what you think
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Comments: 105
this is so beautiful O_O
and I'm not just being goofy for pretty boys. but his expression, his eyes, the colours and technique... all is beautiful
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you must be proud indeed. Let you know what I think? you nailed it, great use of the medium, great use of the salt and that look on his eyes adds all the mood, superb piece 
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I really love his expression. Without delving too acutly into the Colour wheel masterpiece this is and how the tones are carefully crafted to creat two similar but distinct Mood and Atmospheres, I must say his mien is sonorously akin to a slightly hopeful, but not expecting any miracles. He is almost contemplative, and the gesture of the hand resting on the nape of his neck regards to a vague nervousness or indecisiveness.
Of course my favorite aspect of all of your pictures has been the eyes, and anon it still is. The deep set look and his distinctly enervated appearence adds to his hesitation. It personally reminds me of a human who has been through many hard times and stands, very plainly, for a simple answere betwixt the complicated measures and tries of his life.
Another wonderfull note of improvement is your new intrest in darker but distinct colour wheel patterns. Using a gold/tawnny shade for highlights instead of an inelaborate light army green is a sublte, but nicely powerful, touch into your development as an artist. Additionally you have very happily and effectively combine mediums to create a rather "whole" image - that is, a person cannot specifically pick out select styles or paints in your artwork, but sees it as a complete masterpieces.
Anatomy is very good, continue to strive for that excellence, practice cannot kill someone. The proportions have also evened out in the face, and wonderfully the shading does remain consistant, hence the realistic aspect of this art despite an unrealistic-traditional style.
A wonderful and delicious improvment, I am truly jubilant about this work and I can't wait to see more.
- Dreams
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Very nice comment, so thorough, too! I really appreciate it. I've kind of been down about my artwork lately, and this has been the only postable painting I've done in a while. So the comment has lifted my spirits
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The colours in the skin-tone are really nicely complimented against that dark, sap green background... Nicely painted aswell. I don't think the 'stars' add much to the painting, since they seem to be painted ON the painting, and not INTO it, but I really like the technique you've used to make them... very resourceful 
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Mm, it might look good with more blues. Thanks for the advice (though I double I'll go back into the painting--I'm lazy like that and I'd rather just start an entirely new one XD)!
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As my old art teacher said to me onc: "Paintings are never finished... Just abandoned." 
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THis question will be considered stupid-do you dribble the salt after you paint, or before? I'd imagine you'd have more control after, but maybe the effect's not as strong then? 👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It's not a stupid question!! XD You sprinkle it on after you paint the background but before it is dry. That way the salt will manipulate the still-wet paint. Thanks for being curious
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Hm. What if you used table salt? Finer effect?
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Yeah. It didn't work out really well for me before--I think I put too much on, though. You have to be fairly sparing with the salt to get a better effect.
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Ah...Yea, I can see that happening. Super saturated water
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I really like how you painted his hair. When i paint hair with watercolor, it ends up being a blob of colors. But when you paint it, you can actually see the different strands
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I used to have that problem (I still have trouble with brown hair). Here's what I do now though--I pick the 'main' hair color (in this case a golden yellow) wash it over the area of the hair (except for where I might want highlights). I let that dry, and then I start adding in more details going from light to dark. It helps to have a small brush
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Ok, thanks for the advice. I'll definately try that next time I work in watercolor
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I really like the colors in this piece - his hair goes wonderfully with the background, and his shirt is great. And, as always, it's a generally lovely piece. <3
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yeah, i've heard about this method and was even considering to use it
face is great, a bit sceary but still hadsome :]
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Yeah, you should try it! It's fun (although it takes a while to dry because the water pools up around the salt).
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What a creative idea with the salt! And that shirt gradation is very very impressive, as are the textures. *clapclap* Very nice.
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Thank you 
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hmm.....maybe it soung stupid....but...what is pretzel salt?
Still a nice work as usual
And I really like the green back ground ^^
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Not stupid at all!! Pretzel salt is a larger rock of salt than table salt, and you would put it on a soft pretzel (a twisted bread). Its effects are more apparent than regular table salt, which is why I recommend it.
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Thank you so much for your explanation
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wow! this effect with salt is really cool! it turned out great. looks kinda like raindrops or something...
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Thanks
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mmm pretzel, i try it but it doesnt work for me ><>< maybe if i try rock salt! what an idea... this is lovely lovely, something more meaningful to it than usuall.
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Thank you
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Thank you
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Mmm, pretzels are delicious...thanks for the comment!!
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Hmm I've been watching you for some time now but I never have the courage to comment. However, since you have mastered watercolours so well and you seem to know how to use human anatomy, I suggest that you'd use some other view angles on people and objects. Unless you like making portraits, try for example putting many people into one picture and giving them some movement?
I hope I didn't sound too icky, but you can do this already
This piece of art looks dynamic.
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No, not icky at all! I feel the same way--that I should try different angles and poses and such. But lots of times I'm not really sure what to make the person doing, you know? That's where I have to be more imaginitave, definitely. But I really appreciate the criticism, sometimes I need to be told these things to motivate me to change a bit. Besides, a criticism like this is a compliment to me, because you have enough faith in my abilities to suggest I try something different.
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Yeah ^___~ Well isn't the fun thing about art just trying all new things once you have mastered something? I still feel that you draw pretty much like Fuymi Soryo a creator who drew Mars xD But your style rock and I hope that you get the courage to try different angles and poses. If you're not feeling imaginative enough take your camera and snap some silly pics of your friends. Then you can use their poses and expressions as models.
Art is about being creative and going crazy
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It really is, I must agree
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Ah please, dun use sharpen tool please! > __<
It kills the image and the great crazy effect you did with pretzel salt. The background is pretty interesting, so the shirt! But I was really taken by those eyes ;___;
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Hehe, sorry! It looked really blurry when I scanned it XD
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wow!!! love the color detail in the hair, and the shading on the chest, and I dig the textured background
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his shirt does look great
his hair looks really smooth too
and his eyes seem to glow..
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