[spooge demon]

Hey there, I am back for 6 weeks, then gone for two.

Here is an idea that came from several angles. One, there are two sketches of the same subject done by Chase (I think) at LACMA. By subject I mean Columbus with globe pleading his case to skeptics. The plaque has an interesting story about the old profession of historical painting and an example of how much it fell into formula and sterility. Chase�s first composition has not done to that formula and he had to redo it for his professors. As I remember what he had done on his own was very much more interesting.

It has been suggested by many here that people do images based on a theme. I think historical fiction is an interesting and very challenging genre. It has a narrative element and a few other restrictions that can really give you a workout. I really took some liberties with this one I realize, but you get the idea.

[Ko]

Ooooo!

Welcome back!

Nice pic... did you use any historical reference for this, or did you conjure it all up from that genious mind of yours

Ko

[Bilbo]

Missed ya, spooge, good to have you back.
great picture, by the way.

[This message has been edited by Bilbo (edited October 04, 2000).]

[::Dino::]

Welcome back...Nice pic. Love the dim, candle
lights and the way Columbus is under his own diffuse lighting.

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O..O

[nil900]

Amazing!!! I like the atmosphere. The candlelight is great.

[nil900]

Amazing!!! I like the atmosphere. The candlelight is great.

[micke]

Nice to see you back
Wow.Very nice captured. The colours are amazing as always.I don't see anything to crit at all.I'm speechless.
-micke

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-Mikael Noguchi-

http://www.katode.org/noguchi/

[This message has been edited by micke (edited October 04, 2000).]

[Joachim]

ooooh welcome back spooge !!! And talking about a grand entrance
I had almost forgot how superiour you are, well almost.

Glad to have you back !

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Joachim's Place

[Rinaldo]

Gasp!... Welcome back Spooge

I must say this is a fantastic piece. My spooge-o-meter is going insane.
It has a very grandiloquent feel. I always think that you've goten as good as is possible to get. Thankfully you seem to supprise me again and again.

Great to have you back

[Jaymo]

Simply drippin with atmosphere...brilliant.
Historical fiction sure is an interesting genre. Still I do not get what you said about Chase and "the plaque". What do you mean?

[JayBee]

*looks at picture in awe, shakes head*

....yup, Spooge is back....

Great pic man! Very "1492".

It's the detail in the background that gets me, though. There's like NOTHING solidly defined there, except one archway, but it looks so busy. You are truly a genius!

Glad to have you back - you've been missed!

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. . : : j a y b e e

www.sketchboard.co.uk

[Chapel]

Ya know I'm not big fan of that whole era, but the atmosphere in this picture is amazing. This is definetly my favorite pieces I've seen you do spooge. Are you going to do more pics along this type of theme? You know historical stuff? Would be neat if you did some stuff of legend. Like the discovery of the fountain of youth.

[silber]

amazing
love the candels in the background
and love your sketchy style


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-----silBer--
www.people.freenet.de/silberart

[JeanJean]

spooge you're the best artist I've ever seen
great pic with a good atmosphere

[beet]

great image. love the impressionist candle lights. great idea too, the historical fiction paintings. I'll have a go at it asap.
http://www.beet.org

[YourMum]

Hi spooge domeon! Maybe I can't say those "welcome back" words because I registered here after your temporary disappearing. Though I have looking at your pics here and your website.. love them. They are really multifaceted.

I love history topics and this is a nice shot. Quite reserved moment. This is one of those countless historical turns which contain many interesting details and legends. I think you have captured that moment amazingly. I mean all those color choices, shadows and the whole image. It's holistic and individual at the same time containing nice details. The atmosphere is created well. Genious work. I looking forward to see more historical work from you!!

Ps. What about the picture of Columbus' flagship?

-Juha-

[Danny]

What an amazing piece! Almost Rembrandt like lighting.. Truely one of your finest non sci-fi pieces yet Spooge!! I have no words... other than welcome home ol' boy!



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[email protected]

Trust in Trance

[Frost]

Spooge: Clearly showing your superiority. =) Welcome back!

[newt]

Eek!
It hurts my self-esteem just to look at it!


Very nice.

[Binke]

My god. You sure know how to make an entrance. Gadaamn I love those colors

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Art Dimensional

[nori]

Wow nice one.

I was talking with a friend at school about digital art, and he said most good digital artist, when they're done painting change the hue/saturation and or brightness/contrast to make their painting look better.. I was wondering if you or anyone else in this forum do that, and how do you do it? :)

[Farwalker]

Welcome back Spooge!!

Wow, this painting is fantastic! The colors swirl around to make me feel I am in the scene.

You amaze me over and over again with your paintings Spooge.

Thanks for posting!

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Gamingvault.com

[CeRbErO]

Spooge... Um, you rule man.. As always

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CeRbErO
www.cerberodesign.net

[Waldo]

I'm curious. Is the scattered light in the background reflected light or light from a distant room? I'm assuming it's reflected light because it certainly adds to the breadth of the scene.

Great piece by the way. I love the mood you've established...

Cheers!

[Jenn]

Damn... what res do you draw these in?

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DarkChyld

[Dhabih]

Beautiful as always! Glad to have you back

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http://www.sijun.com/

[Snake Grunger]

Hooray for Spooge! This board needed a guy to show the lamers who the boss really is..

[Weeks]

Hi, spooge,

Bravo... you're well known even in Paris.
(excuse my english)
so, can I ask you a question ?

Please, tell us, in few words, how do you paint stone, rock, tree, with pshop ?

Is it textures, background, what else..

thanks

Weeks

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From Paris...la..la !

[burn0ut]

love the lighting and colors in this, its gravey, welcome back

[Void]

Heya, welcome back Craig! Awesome painting; it really shows your skill in atmosphere creation. However, one thing really stood out at me when I took a look at your painting...

If you look at the man closest to the foreground (in the bottom left of the composition)his figure looks a bit deformed. By this I mean that his right arm is placed in an extremely awkward position. His palm is facing the ceiling, twisting his arm over. This usually would not be a problem, but I noticed the edge with which you defined the arm is almost completely linear (this may be due to shadows...I turned up my brightness a great deal though just to make sure). Anyway, because he does not seem to be speaking at the time (Columbus is the center of the piece) I assumed he would be in a static position. Overall, what I am trying to say is that his arm would not be able to do what it is doing, relative to his position and the height of his shoulder. I think if you defined the joint (elbow), it would give it more flow and a less rigid structure.

Another thing I noticed ont he same man was that his shoulders do not seem to be in accordance to one another. His right shoulder seems to be back by the chair, while his left shoulder [appears] to on the same line of his chin. This would mean his whole body would be turned almost completely sideways (not something someone would do while listening).

{Edit: here's what I mean, visually: http://turbulent.quadrent.net/images/craig.jpg }

I dunno, that just stood out at me when I saw the painting. I really don't feel I'm qualified to critique the images which you paint (you have much more experience, say 20 years ) but I thought this might start a nice discussion or other things. I don't know..anyway, great pic, hope to see more!

[This message has been edited by Void (edited October 04, 2000).]