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windfalcon — Fire Falcon
Published: 2008-03-28 19:29:27 +0000 UTC; Views: 5746; Favourites: 187; Downloads: 136
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Description
For our final project in computer illustration, we had to take symbols from our zodiac and make a self-portrait. It didn't have to be a literal self-portrait, but it had to represent ourselves in some way. My zodiac sign is Leo, which was a bit difficult to work with, since my personal symbolism is...well...polar-opposite of what Leo represents. Leo is a sun sign, associated with fire, the day, and the lion. I don't really like lions, I'm more a moon/night person, and have more connection with wind.However, after several sketches, this image seemed to work best. I used the 'fire' feel that Leo has for this falcon's plumage. It's perched before the fiery sunset, and the markings on her face mirror the astrological symbol of Leo. In the sky, the brightest stars show the Leo constellation.
And yes, I painted all those feathers, one by one. @_@ It's not much easier in Photoshop than it is with real paint. It's just you have layers and that handy 'undo' function. That was the last computer illustration course I had to take, so thankfully I can concentrate on traditional media again! Hurray!
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Comments: 29
oh Wow I love this 
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oh my god
i think i have just died and gone to heaven.
its magnificent and gorgeous
at first i thought it was a phoenix like from Harry Potter
its so awesome
the details of the feathers are so intricate. it looks so realistic!
can i use this as my desktop background?
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I am in love with the background and with the knotwork on the falcon. there almost seems to be a fire pattern on the bird's head. It's beautiful but it's interesting how different a computer generated piece (I hope that's right) looks from a piece using traditional media. I do not favour one over the other it's just interesting. ^^
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The feathers are beautifully stunning, it must have taken forever but I think it was time well spent.
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That's incredible; your drawings look are so real looking! I looked up your feather tutorials as well; great stuff 
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WOW, your digital stuff is awesome as well :3
its very consistent :3
Thats fantastic :3 very creative way of incorporating the theme :3
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really gorgeous the detail on the feathers is great!
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Stunning job on her as usual. I love falcons a lot. 
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The feathers and coloring are absolutely gorgeous!
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Nifty...
I like the flow of lines in the fire patterns on her feathers. Very nice!
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Perhaps. If so, I will probably do them with acrylic. If I do the other elements in acrylic then I will redo this one in acrylic as well.
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Before this outstanding picture I thought that I liked your traditional pieces better than the digital ones. Now I'm a bit sad that you don't have to do more digital stuff. But if you want to conentrate on traditional media again, I'll just cheer you on
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I might do some more digital stuff, but I'm definitely going to keep concentrating on traditional.
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She's very beautiful. I'm a Leo too, and I actually seem to have more a connection with hawks.
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Gorgeous. Excellent pairing of the actual Leo zodiac and what you feel your personal "zodiac" to be, and I have to give you cred for the feathers! I rush all the time, so I admire that patience
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Lovely! The coloring is striking. You really put a lot of thought into the concept.
Love it!
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It sounds like this took forever and a day to do, those are some awesome mad skills you have there! This looks great X100000!!!
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But you did such a marvelous job on the coloring. I'm really impressed with all the detail in the plumage and the markings on face and back. It's really a great piece of work.
(though I do understand how you feel where the traditional media are concerned
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I am a pisces but am more connected to fire rather than water so personally a "fire falcon" works for me. I am more night/moon/fire destruction warbird of doom. LOL! Hey, falcon is derived from falcis for sickle shaped claws, a shape commonly associated with Death and the Grim Reaper.
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man your wings still amaze and captivate me nice. love the swirling effects on the head and back feathers
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Such an incredible creation!!!
I love the colors you used!
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Very pretty! I'm an Aires...
Not sure if you're looking for any criticism, but her edges could be a little softer, I think... She looks a bit too crisp against the background, especially with the softness of the clouds behind her.
I do love the feathers, though, and the markings. They're wonderfully beautiful. I can never pick the right shades for gold...
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Yeah, I should have probably softened her edges. After all, she's covered with feathers, not stone.
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Man this came out gorgeous! You did an awesome job personalizing your sign this way.. just lovely..
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