HOME | DD
xdragonflyx — .: stripped to the bone :.
Published: 2009-05-25 02:42:47 +0000 UTC; Views: 6084; Favourites: 239; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
The natural sounds of the woods were hushed, and the resulting silence hung heavy in the air. Between the spokes of trees, however, a lone figure ran as a trail of mist unfurled behind her, engulfing all in its path for a few lingering moments.The lone Avian ran on, her eyes wide and blind to all that passed by. Her maw parted to emit a cry, but all she could summon was a silent, choking gasp as the waves of sorrow racked her body. She faltered only for a moment before hastening deeper into this place. Their place.
come with me
into the trees
we'll lay on the grass
and let the hours pass
take my hand
come back to the Land
where everything's ours
for a few hours
let me see you
stripped down to the bone
let me hear you
speaking just for me
let me see you
stripped down to the bone
let me hear you
crying just for me
let me hear you...
-------------------------------------------------------
My entry for =kilara 's epic Avian contest. This is Mizgarth, who after learning of the death of her lover Exiel, flees the heart of the Avian City to its outskirts where she can be beside her sorrow. I always saw Mizgarth as having to be very collected and proper due to her royal status, so I doubt she would allow herself the luxury of grief in the presence of others. Here, though, in the same woods she stole away to with her lover in days past, well, here she doesn't have to hide her torment. Here she can escape the shroud of duty, if only for a few hours.
Also, I'm not so sure there are trees even like this in the Avian world, so my apologies if they are uncanon, kilara. Just pretend for a moment, k? XD And for those unfamiliar, Mizgarth often surrounds herself with mist. Hence the mist. That also doubles as a METAPHOR, WHOA.
I'd also like to mention that I wanted to try out an Avian in my style rather than something completely realistic or a replica of Kilara's own style for Avians, thus Mizgarth's form is a bit longer and lankier than I believe she really is.
OH. OH. AND. I spy, with my little eye.... FORESHADOWING IN THE TREES. EEGADS.
Song: Stripped, by Shiny Toy Guns
Avians and Mizgarth ©
Art © B. Veenstra
Related content
Comments: 69
I originally included more glimpses of Mizgarth as an amsk where the trees overlapped with her body, so the tree nearest her head was the most important because her head displays the most drastic changes as an amsk. I wanted to keep the majority of her head visible while still having enough of the amsk head to show as well, hence it's slightly awkward placement. So I wasn't really going for randomness; I was making strategic decisions that would best suit my idea. After I started coloring this, though, I realized that my idea for the intermittent glimpses just wasn't working out because there weren't enough differences (the trees just looked transparent). So I got rid of them (except for the head tree), and the trees stayed in the same place.
I think the placement of that tree would look a bit less awkward if Mizgarth were a darker color instead of white, but alas she is not.
Thanks for the critique.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is really beautiful -- the movement, the texture, the emotion, the composition, all really well done.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Oh, this piece is just lovely, down to the colors used and the movement involved. Wonderful! ♥
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Definitely my favorite part, too. :3
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
The way you paint those trees is beautiful... I especially love how you added the details onto the front one, so you seem to see more of the creature behind it. Your texture use is beautiful, too.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks! Trees are on my list of favorite things to draw.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I love the textures,it reminds me of an oriental screen....lovely!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Oh my god, by Shiny Toy Guns/Depeche Mode?! AWESOME SONG!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
which do you listen to though, the Depeche Mode versio or the Shiny Toy Guns version?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I listen to the Shiny Toy Guns version. I know Depeche Mode originally did the song, but it's a bit too 80s for my taste.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I wanted to write a critique but it wouldn't let me so I will have to do it here. For the most part it is very good. Things I would suggest changing / adding are: changing the flexion/extension of the dragons neck (right now it is slightly too far flexed in my opinion, I think the eyes should be facing more forward and less down). The left front leg looks slightly awkward to me (I'm assuming she is coming head first from a leap so I would suggest lowering the foot closer to the ground so it matches the other foot's position a little better; the way it is right now makes it look like she is going to either break a leg or fall over). I think it would beneficial if you added a few shrubs in the far background (there is a good number of trees in the foreground with a relatively sparse background. I think a few low level shrubs would provide a little more balance). The mist looks more like kicked up dust right now, which I understand because she is coming in fast, but I think if you made some of the mist come off a little more random it could give a better effect). I think it would be nice to see at least one track on the forest floor too (especially where the single foot is currently planted). The colors are great, the textures are awesome, and the line art on her is exceptional.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yeah, you have to be subscribed to write/receive official critiques, I believe.
Thanks so much for the critique! You've always been good at giving them! I have to agree with you on most of what you've said. I don't think I'll be going back to this one (unless I decide it'd make a nice portfolio piece) but I can certainly learn from it and apply those things to whatever I do in the future.
Thanks again!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
The first thing that caught me was the amsk-imagery in the tree trunk.. brilliant.
lovely image, sad and appropriate for the story.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
This really does have a storybook quality to it. It reminds me a lot of images you might see in old books :3
I like your foreshadowing on the tree there too.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Interesting use of the space around the creature, it seems to be like a play, with the scenery curtain behind the action and all. Puts emphasis on the drama. You know I had noticed that about some of your other works, the presentation being like a viniette, or a shadow box. Was this intentional? In any case, it's really neat.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It wasn't intentional, but now that you've mentioned it I really do see most of my recent illustrations having that vignette/shadow box look. It must just be something I do naturally! You know, I like that, though.
Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention! I guess now I'll have to consciously decide how to build on the technique.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks! I use found textures (both my own and from free resource sites) combined with filter effects in Photoshop and custom Photoshop brushes.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I remember when that song first came out (the Depeche Mode version, anyway). Very raw & haunting pic, good work!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I haven't heard the original yet, just Shiny Toy Gun's cover. I'll have to check it out!
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
Do so, it's worth it - very moody. The album it's from is Black Celebration
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Rammstein also cover it, but their version is horrible... I love Depeche Mode music so much and Rammstein broke my heart with this cover...
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Very beautiful and full of raw heartbreak...You captured the moment wonderfully. I rather like your take on the Avian race being lankier. Great job!
There is only one thing..."Stripped" I believe was originally done by Depeche Mode, but I could be wrong.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you!
And yeah, Shiny Toy Guns did a cover of it. But it's their version that I was listening to while working on this. ^^ I haven't actually heard the original yet.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This could be a winner piece for the contest in my opinion! 
The foreshadowing is a great add to the mood. There is a very complete feel to this piece, that dusky background nicely compliments the shades of white and the vertical shapes of those trees.
I am not usually a fan of brown-ish colours.. but in this piece they work all the way and any other colour choice wouldn't be as good!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Haha, well let's hope you're right! Although there really are some outstanding entries. The competition is definitely up there.
I actually tried seeing what happened with other color schemes, but as you said, none of them worked as well as this.
Thanks so much!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Beautiful piece and nice poetry. Pretty close to a song of mine actually
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
The poem is actually comprised of lyrics from Shiny Toy Gun's cover of "Stripped." You should listen to it sometime. ^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I'm digging that you used your own style for this. And those gorgeous colors seem so appropriately somber... Wow!
It's neat to see how the vertical trees break up the scene, almost as though it were a comic playing out, a great concept. And double win for that hint of foreshadowing!
My oh my, I wish I could write a proper critique, but it seems like this is beyond me. Those textures you use are always incredible.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks! And hey, critiques can include analyzing what was done well, so it's good for me to hear what elements you find successful! ^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Lovely illustration, I think all the details look amazing.
I love the detail in the background, the trees, the smoke and dragon. The colours are well chosen as well!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
| Next =>