Master and Servant 2D Entry: Daniel Rigos

[Shaidar]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1112885702_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1112885702_large.jpg)

The concept that I am exploring is the Inner struggle between the Soul and the Flesh. The Soul wishes to break free and ascend to Enlightenment or Heaven, whilst the Flesh or body restricts and contains it. Thus a Master and Servant relationship is established. The Soul is also restricted by the mundane of the physical world. Which will become the Master, the Soul, or Flesh and the physical.

In the sketch I am trying to depict this relationship and struggle. The blue light signifies the Soul seeking to break free, whilst darkness and the Flesh restrict and constrain it.

Any ideas to further this concept?

[SpiritDreamer]

I like the concept.
It reminds me of the movie with William Defoe The Last Temptation of Christ.
If you haven't seen it you should. Might give you some inspiration for this picture you are doing. Maybe just a glow emanating from his chest and heading towards the light without the blood and holes would be a more effective way of conveying the feeling you are trying to create. Maybe you could figure a way to have the chains wrapped around him so he looks like he is chained to himself. Have the chain coming from the earth starting out like a root and changing into a chain, maybe. Entwining him in the chain of life. Coming from life, constricting him like a snake, finally killing his body as an old man would be better. Finally his soul escapes as a glowing light heading toward another brighter light. The blood kind of ruins this picture for me. Spoils an otherwise great concept but that is just me. It kind of overstates it in my opinion. Less is more kind of thing.
Good Luck.
Glenn
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=228275

[Shaidar]

I'm actually reading Nikos Kazantzakis' The Last Temptation right now, the book Scorsese based the film on. So I must be a little inspired by it :) Great film, and great book.

I totally agree with your feedback. I was quite unsure about the blood. I felt the image needed a little contrast in color so I decided to add it. Probably just because it is a concept sketch though.

I will have to try and work in some more color or something other contrast instead of the blood.

The chain idea is nice - i like the idea of him being chained to and within himself. Maybe even the chains come from within him as well as without.

Will experiment further in the next few days. Thanks for the feedback :)

[Jack Youngblood]

good to see something a bit more 'expressionistic' in style than most of what is here.

I like the exploding eyes!

My Challenge Response (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=223971&page=1&pp=15)

[Shaidar]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1113115184_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1113115184_large.jpg)

Heres a quick painting exploring the inter-relation between the main colors I am using - black/gray and blue.

I am experimenting with how I can create the mood of struggle, submission and ascension just with colors.

I like the texture that is coming through; especially the dark tendrils. I'm thinking that dark tendrils like those will be clasping the central character. Maybe with some abstract allusions to chains amongst the darkness.

I think there might be a bit too much contrast in the image. I don't want all the colors to be so bright. I might need to tone down the palette to create a more subtle mood.

[Shaidar]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1113117514_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1113117514_large.jpg)

Well I inspired myself to play around with the colors a bit. I think these look a lot better - much more subtle and powerful.

[NOOB!]

very expressive style! keep at it!

[Shaidar]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1114230645_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1114230645_large.jpg)

Finally got to do some more work on the painting. Started working on the body. Decided to make the character a bit more front on - seemed a bit more dramatic.

The skin colors are way too light atm. Will need to add a lot more contrast later on.

[Shaidar]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1114332574_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1114332574_large.jpg)

It's getting more like what I want. I think I need to make some tendrils entwining around him.

[vilius]

great idea:) keep it up

[BlacKeri]

I love this idea. Reminded me instantly of baroque poetry :)

[Shaidar]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1114414159_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1114414159_large.jpg)

Got some entwining tendrils around the body. More to come!

[Shaidar]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1115020857_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1115020857_large.jpg)

Updates are few and far between.. So hard to get time to work on this, but loving it when I do!! Starting to get some more colors in the image. Started working on the blue tendrils coming down from the upper right. Really need to work on the face at some stage, hair etc.. Think I've been avoiding it.

Any comments/critiques?

[SpiritDreamer]

Hi Daniel
You did it!
Great! :)
I really like the tension you created between the organic or natural tendrils and the heavenly or spiritual tendrils.
Like the color contrast too.
Really nice piece of surealism you have going here.
Doesn't even need any words to explain it.
Recognized meaning of concept instantly. Simple but great!
Less is more.
Don't lose this version of the face when you try to refine it. This version of face captures the internal feeling of the concept you are trying to create nicely.
Has that simplistic feel to it that artists like Picasso strove for.
Innocence is closer to truth kind of thing.
A pleasure to see your work.
Take care
Glenn

[Shaidar]

Thanks for the feedback Glenn! Really nice to hear that you appreciate it!

Your input on the face is very interesting. It has been one of those areas that I have been always meaning to get back to. Good to hear that you like the simplicity of it. Will definitely keep that in mind when I come back to it.

Cheers :)

[Shaidar]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1115680536_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1115680536_large.jpg)

Worked a little bit more on the painting. Changed the colors on the roots down the bottom right to be a bit brighter. I also decided to get rid of the blue tendril that was wrapping around his chest - it seemed to be conflicting with the naturalistic roots.

[Shaidar]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1116311860_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1116311860_large.jpg)

The deadline is closing. Frantically trying to finish up the image. Haven't had as much time as I would have liked..

Finishing up all the blue tendrils. I really like the big blue one in the foreground.

Now to work on the background dark tendrils and his face a bit....

Will be back soon :)

[Shaidar]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1116497709_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/8/7299/7299_1116497709_large.jpg)

Well I just managed to get it done.

Made the image a lot more blue on the edge. I think it frames the character better.

I would have liked to work on the face a bit more... Will get around to it after the competetion has ended.

Hope you all like it. Thanks for all the feedback!

[SpiritDreamer]

Hi Daniel
Glad you kept the face simple, There is just something about it that captures the inner feeling
you'r trying to convey. Honest emotion. That principle works on this painting great but there's always room for improvement for any painter or painting. If you are interested in taking your human figures a step further, I highly recommend some books one of my teacher's published before he died. His name was Burne Hogarth, his books are Dynamic Figure Drawing and others. They are inexpensive and I always find myself referring to them whenever I have a problem figuring out a figure I am working on and don't have a model for reference. Can only improve your work as they have mine. Just thought I would mention them in case you might be interested.
Thanks again for your help on my painting and I am glad I could help you with yours.
Take Care
Glenn

[Shaidar]

Ah great! Will definitely look into those. Really want to focus my art on improving my skills in drawing the human body as well as developing the more conceptual/experimental. Going to enrol in a life drawing course as well.

Thanks for all the feedback - it encouraged me to keep plugging away at the painting!! I enjoyed staying in touch with yours as our concepts were vaguely similar!

Good luck for the future.
Daniel

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