Steampunk Myths and Legends Entry: Aly Fell

[Squibbit]

hey dude


...

[AlyFell]

Hi Squib, you here too? I don't know why I'm entering, I never seem to get things finished! :) But I need something to focus on right now, and Steampunk is one of my interests.

~Aly.

[Squibbit]

yea i dunno if i'm gonna finish , i'm currently lookin if i make my pic a 2D / 3D combo
so i'm like modeling dorky lookin houses n stuff.. i got this flyin bug in my pic i tried to
sketch with pencil at home u know, figure out how it worked and decided it didn't,
so like i gotta make it work before i try modeling it too, but i dunno if i got the time
for anything so we'll see :)

[paperclip]

Aly! :thumbsup:

Looking forward to seeing what you'll do...I love your stuff...

[duddlebug]

Ha-haaa! So you gave in to the lure of steampunk............

Better get scribblin'!

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1227560319_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1227560319_large.jpg)

I kept thinking of Judith and Holofernes, and how would Judith decapitate a robot Holofernes. With a spanner! Not much of a composition, just an idea so far.

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1227560423_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1227560423_large.jpg)

Another sketch, but not so keen here. Two fledgling winged characters prepare to take their Heath Robinson wings to the sky, a la Icarus.

[paperclip]

Very cool. :D I had a similar concept, but I'm not going with it so it's free for you...I like it so far! Are you going to go with a 'Rosie the Riveter' style or more of a Mucha style?

[Slav]

hella epic here! keep it up. cant wait to see more!

[AlyFell]

Theresa - Thanks for your comment. I've no idea where I'm going with this yet, or how I'm going to visualise it. It's all brain stuff. I just had a look at your thread, and you work through your ideas with venom! Get them out as they come is a good way to do it.

Slav - Thank you. Epic... ho ho! ;) Hardly!

[calisto-lynn]

awesome sketch :D

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1227603351_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1227603351_large.jpg)

Another idea - Circe offering the cup to Ullysses or Odysseus depending on whom you read...

[Ramitxon]

Great sketch, this one gonna be tough with you in the challenge. Love your work. Good luck. :)

[ace4016]

Woot, can't wait to see this more fleshed out. Good luck and have fun :)

[walrus]

Good to see you here again, Aly! Some great concepts on the bord so far, I see. I don't know anything about Judith, but seeing your layout makes me intrigued: That piece has a lot of story to it already. I like the Circe pic, too. "Flight" seems the least story-driven of the three, but they all have neat aspects to them. Good luck with whichever you choose! :thumbsup:

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1228260204_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1228260204_large.jpg)

Steampunk - corsetry and clockwork! Just doodling really, nothing final yet. The bottom right and the big one are inspired by a Steampunk model called Kato.

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1228260357_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1228260357_large.jpg)

Oops, wrong one!

[AlyFell]

Uploaded the wrong darn pic!

Ramitxon - cheers! I'll probably just draw a powerful woman with a big sword or something. :)

ace4016 - Thanks!

Walrus - Cheers sir. I'm just having fun. Steampunk has long been a thing of mine, and Steampunk girls in particular! :)

[Airflow]

I really love the feel of the flight one, its expanse holds you.

[Gnomeish]

I've allways loved your work from Imagine FX and such and really look forward to seeing your work progress here. And hopefully learn something in the process. 8)

All your ideas look great! How do you decide which one to use?

[morenike]

i'm lovin it so far. even if you don't finish(not likely) i still love the process

[ace4016]

Heh, looking at all the available concepts, I'm loving the Icarus and Circe ones (although that might be because they seem more complete). If you do settle on the decapitating of the robot, I like the lower right one a lot...something about wrenches and grease and women is hot :P . Looking forward to some more updates.

[Ferx]

Hey Aly,

Really great sketches so far :D You have really cool ideas for the challenge. Perhaps my favorite is the "Circe" concept :) Again, great work, and looking forward for more updates! :D

[pkneeshaw]

Hello,


I really like the bird with the top hat. Do that one!

[paperclip]

I wholeheartedly vote for the top right one- where Judith holds Holoferne's head up triumphantly. DO IT.

[pkneeshaw]

Nah nah nah do the one with the top hat. Its much better.

[Hideyoshi]

ooooooh!!
:bounce: :bounce:

[StudioColrouphobia]

aaaaah :)

looking forward to your stuff... :)

[Zephyri]

wondered how long it would be before I saw your name pop up here, Aly! I'm loving the top right of Judith and Holofernes, something about the composition of that one reads brilliantly, but I'm also really liking the fleshed out Circes one too. I can see you really going to town on all the steampunk elements. Nrr you make me want go doodle and I must finish work!

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1229959270_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1229959270_large.jpg)

Thanks for the comments! I said to myself I must get another rough in before Christmas or I'll never finish this. Back to my original Judith beheading Holophernes idea. Concentrating on Judith for now. Not sure whether to make her more masculine... a bit like Kristin Scott Thomas in 'Gosford Park' maybe..? Probably won't check back in till after Christmas, so have a lovely one whosoever stops by! TTFN

[asongforOphelia]

Oh man--this is so exciting!! Judith and Holofrenes are my FAVORITE!! And Steampunk is my favorite! What more could I ask for?? Beautiful work, even though it's still in the idea stages... I love, love, love it.

[BDMonster]

Haha, Judith & Holofernes is a good choice!

You've drawn so many women and now that you're doing this myth, you remind me of Artemisia Gentileschi. :)

[Minnhagen]

Great idea! I like the geometric composition. Is that oil from his neck? Maybe there could be some steam too!

[sgw]

This is a really fun image. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for color composition.

[beelow]

Welcome back Aly. I hope to see you finish. It will be fun watching you dish something up for the contest. All in the spirit of fun right? Later and good luck!

[azazel]

Love the last one. The version on the right, more 'masculine' one sims bit more interesting, anb bit less cartoony, which I like.

[Slav]

hey Aly cant wait to see what you come up with! looks like something awesome is in the making :P

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231144186_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231144186_large.jpg)

Seven and a half days to go! It's a bit of a shame this ran over the holiday season when I was nowhere near my PC, but hey ho... Can I get something done? Argh! Started doing some work on the face. Thankyou for commenting! :)

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231158552_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231158552_large.jpg)

Oops! I should upload my 'final' composition before the painting work in progress! Work work work...

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231188529_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231188529_large.jpg)

At the moment I'm still working at quite a small scale resolution. When I've finished the basic colouring I'll up-scale and tighten everything with more detail etc. The robot Holophernes next! :)

[AlyFell]

Thank's Michael. I just want to get something finished right now, but to be honest the design of the Robot isn't finalised yet anyway.

The past couple of months have had major upheavals in my life, and I've not had the time to commit to this in the way I'd like to. I at least hope for 'something' presentable! :)

[Womball]

THe colors really add a lot of life to her. And the lighting looks amazing so far. Can't wait to see the robot's head.

[AlyFell]

What's going on with the timing of posts? I respond to one and it puts it before the original. Weird!

[walrus]

Cool, glad to see you're still in this, Aly! Looking great - Can't wait to see what you do with Holphernes. I did like the other design you had for his head more, even though (or more likely because) it was a bit sillier. Though I do really like the composition change where you put his body in the foreground. Good luck with the rest! :thumbsup:

[Hideyoshi]

Nice Aly! Great progressing, looks like you can manage to finish it (well, hope you do!)! Looks like good ol' Poshspice quality so far! :)

[Multiductus]

This is enchanting Poshspice!
As always ;)

[Multiductus]

This is enchanting, Poshspice!
...as always ;)

[Eskarina]

Great character! I like a lot the color scheme =)
I can't wait to see more!

[abourabe]

Welcome back Aly . great work as always it will be great piece

good luck ;)

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231282900_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231282900_large.jpg)

I still don't know which way to face her! I'm going to redo Holophernes's head as well; I don't like this one...

[paperclip]

You'll probably hate me for this, but I'd suggest making the image a little wider, moving Judith over to the right a bit and moving Holofernes' body over to the left a little bit- that way she'll look as if she's looking up to you from having just looked down at Holofernes' body, if that makes sense? It'd link the whole thing up a bit more, to my eye anyway...


I say keep going! :bounce:

[OZ]

I love your character... very steampunk like..the palette is perfect.:applause:

[Nigel-Q]

This is looking great! Can't wait to see the final...

[CuriousLobster]

Wonderful colors and character!

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231421702_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231421702_large.jpg)

Started on the background a bit, the porthole etc. The wall will have art nouveauesque designs and wood panelling. Robot head looks a bit better, but still needs work.

Thank you for the kind words.

Paperclip - Thankyou! I may give it a bit more space, but I'll see how it works out when I've started Holophernes. I was trying for a zig zag composition.

[duddlebug]

Hi Aly! It's looking very groovy...

Am I wrong, or is there a hint of Rosie in your Judith? Good luck getting it finished!

[AUMAKUA]

Hello Aly, congrats for your work so far (reminds me a bit of old posters during WWII),
I'm a big fan of your style and your tutorials in Imagine FX ;)

[jpedro]

looks really great, i hope you can finish it in time, gogogo :)

best,
Jan

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231686952_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1231686952_large.jpg)

Well, i's looking very tight for me finishing this! Just over a day to go and a day job to do as well... And I'm still roughing it out! Oooh er... I've also realised Judith beheads Holophernes when he's drunk. What would a robot drink? Castrol?

[AlyFell]

Cheers for popping in jpedro and AUMAKUA.

Duddlebug - yes Jonny, there is definitely more than a hint of her! ;)

[beelow]

Waiting to see you update Aly! I love to see you work your magic.

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232012847_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232012847_medium.jpg)

Rushing a bit now. I've been deciding on designs for the wall, and am thinking of art nouveau patterns of some sort. Still got to do the robot on the floor. I'll get there. :)

TTFN

Aly.

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232041852_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232041852_medium.jpg)

Bit more lunchtime stuff on it. This is just a test with textures, but I like where it's going so I'll probably develop it. Lots to do yet... argh!

[paperclip]

Lovely texture on that floor, Aly! If you don't mind my asking- it looks as if you applied a rock texture on a layer with low opacity and on multiply settings, then duplicated that and made that a colour dodge layer- then erased most of that, leaving just a few bits here and there. Is that what you did?

P.S- I always think your women have quite a lot of Gil Elvgren in them. A source of inspiration?

[AlyFell]

Lovely texture on that floor, Aly! If you don't mind my asking- it looks as if you applied a rock texture on a layer with low opacity and on multiply settings, then duplicated that and made that a colour dodge layer- then erased most of that, leaving just a few bits here and there. Is that what you did?

P.S- I always think your women have quite a lot of Gil Elvgren in them. A source of inspiration?

Theresa - Absolutely spot on! Well observed. I had to look over my shoulder then to check you weren't there! The only thing is it's a texture I made up for a metal panel, so it has a mixture of rust, loose paint and stone not solely rock. I won't use this one. It was just a test. I'll make up something higher res and bespoke to this image for the final.

And yes, Elvgren is a BIG hero! :)

[digital-bobert]

Very cool work Aly! I always enjoy your entries

[vmulligan]

Very nice work -- and it's good to see someone who really knows his mythology and/or art history. I have to admit, I had to look this one up; the book of Judith is not in the King James Bible, to my knowledge, and though I've seen reproductions of the Caravaggio painting, I didn't know the story it depicted. "So she took the head out of the bag, and shewed it, and said unto them, behold the head of Holofernes, the chief captain of the army of Assur, and behold the canopy, wherein he did lie in his drunkenness; and the Lord hath smitten him by the hand of a woman." Interesting and atypical for Judeo-Christian mythology. Good choice!

I love the bold look you've given to the heroine. Best of luck to you in the contest.

[juhaszmark]

Hi, I like your entry in many ways, your chosen myth is exciting and you gave a great atmosphere to it with this picture. The only annoying thing about it is the connection between the drapery and the torso of your figure. It looks like there is a big sphere under her skirt and you just placed a female upper body on it and furtheremore you placed it on the sphere's side, not on its center.

P.S. your name means "stand up" in hungarian (állj fel) :)

[AlyFell]

digital bobert - Thanks sir. I always enjoy yours too! Shall pop along to yours in a moment.

vmulligan - Apparently it's a Catholic story, and not Protestant. How that works I don't know. The story is one my partner introduced me too, although I was very familiar with the Artemisia Gentileschi painting, and of course Caravaggio and Klimt. My researches have found other interpretations as well. I like it because Judith is a strong woman who isn't portrayed as a victim, and in fact wins the battle with the help of her maid! The religious aspects appeal less than the story, which is, as you say unusual in the Judeo-Christian texts.

Thank you!

juhaszmark - Intersting observation you make concerning the dress. She is meant to have a small 'bustle' beneath the dress, which was common in Victorian and early Edwardian women's costume. If it reads badly, then that's something I shall look at as I continue. Thank you. Observations like this make you look twice at something you took for granted.

Stand up in Hungarian eh? Thank you! I shall remember that. :)

[guterrez]

very elegant and beautiful approach; interesting to see something more serious from you^^
also very cool to follow your process
good luck with the finishing!

ps.: where can I see the picture from your avatar? searched your portfolio and homepage but no luck

[paperclip]

Cool, glad to see I'm gettin a hang of seeing other peoplle utilizing photoshop, now to use it myself. :) Am posting this after a night out, so please take no notice- I think this is really nice and is well worth a toss at the prize. :) For CG art, I guess this is similar to the prix de rome, so... you can imagine what this means, although for yourself I guess it may not hold such significance...

P.S - The Catholics (of which I am one) have a different Bible to the Protestants- it's one of the ways in which we are different- we have different perspectives on history, make of that what you will. I have the Duay-Rheims version of the Bible. Either way, I think the primary story is true, but little details may vary, as do any relations of history, so to speak.

[vmulligan]

vmulligan - Apparently it's a Catholic story, and not Protestant. How that works I don't know. The story is one my partner introduced me too, although I was very familiar with the Artemisia Gentileschi painting, and of course Caravaggio and Klimt. My researches have found other interpretations as well. I like it because Judith is a strong woman who isn't portrayed as a victim, and in fact wins the battle with the help of her maid! The religious aspects appeal less than the story, which is, as you say unusual in the Judeo-Christian texts.



Yes, that's what I like about this -- the unusually strong female character. The Bible doesn't feature a whole lot of those.

I'm not a Christian, but I'm more familiar with the King James Bible than other versions, which I suppose is the Anglican version (or "Episcopalian", if you live in the U.S.), putting it somewhere between the Protestant and Catholic traditions. Different Christian sects have chosen to include or exclude different books of the Bible, though. All beside the point, of course -- either way, the story of Judith an interesting myth.

[jpedro]

her look in her eyes, pose and attitude are really perfect then. really interesting choice of myth, and as always your painting technique is great :thumbsup:

[OZ]

THis image is rising up strongly! every update makes it better and better. This will be one of the best 2d works. Surely one of my favourite.:bowdown:

[lindbalk]

I agree with the previous post; this is one of the most successful pieces in the image category. Strong composition, pleasant and harmonious colors and nice brushwork. My only comments would be that looking through your portfoliosite, this image strikes me as being rather similar to some of the other images, especially the Johnny Stay Dead one. You know, woman in a striking pose, holding some sort of tool in one hand (in this case, a shaving knife) and a head in the other, on top of an almost monochrome background.

It's maybe not as daring an image as it could have been, but then again, why fix something that ain't broken, right? I really like your style of painting, it's a nice relief from all the overly textured and sharpened images that are so popular these days (me being guilty of doing that as well).

A strong competitor for best image, I hope all goes well for you!

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232205830_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232205830_medium.jpg)

I didn't like the previous head on Holophernes, so played with it till I got one I'm more happy with. Still much to do, including the robot corpse of Holophernes on the floor.

Thank you for looking.

[AlyFell]

guterrez - The avatar is from an unfinished image on my blog. One day I'll complete it as it was so close, but there were bits of it I liked. Thank you.

papaerclip - Well you learn something new every day. Thank you for that information about the Bible. You sounded very articulate for someone just back from a night out!

vmulligan - I find it fascinating as to the arbitrary nature of some of the inclusions in the Bible. I should read the Apocrypha one day. Best wishes!

jpedro - Pose is all important to character I think. Thanks!

OZ - Why thank you very much.

lindbalk - Good call. You may be right about the similarities, but when I sit down to sketch a pose I'm thinking of the personality I'm drawing and their situation. To me character is important, as a character artist, so I suppose to some extent I've always made BG secondary to this aspect. However I feel there is enough difference to justify any closeness. I essentially enjoy 'pin-up' art, and Gil Elvgren, for example, painted hundreds if not thousands of female characters in all too similar poses at times. It is just my fashion. Thank you, yours is looking stupendous by the way.

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232388931_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232388931_medium.jpg)

Nearly there. I've just not had time to do the corpse of Holofernes, so if I can do it in the next few hours he'll be there, otherwise no. It still reads as a composition anyway, and storywise it works. A few more tweaks on colour etc... Anyway, I have a long drive in snow first! Eek!

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232395945_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232395945_medium.jpg)

Judith holding the head of Holofernes

"Approach, human." The giant doors rumbled shut behind Judith. They were alone.

His voice had none of the mechanical whine common to his kind. It was smooth and soporific, like autumn harvests. Holofernes had once been human, and bit-by-bit, as his humanity had faded and he learned to hate, he had replaced his body with brass, copper and steel. Judith had once loved that man. Long ago. If there was anything human remaining in that motorized form, it was now time for Judith to discover.

"My lord," Judith's voice held. "I come at the request of our people to hopefully dissuade you from the folly of attacking out city Betulaia. We are a peaceful..."

"Silence!" The summer harvest was gone. He swung round and the hollow slits of his eyes found hers. "I know you... Judith! You return to me you now? At this eleventh hour?"

In a flash he was in front of her, his smoky breath hot on her face, Oil and steam. He grabbed her shoulders, and pushed her back against the wall. The impact knocked the wind from her and she gagged.

"You were once mine, woman. But that can never be again, for I am no longer man. Men are weak and fallible and shall be destroyed. I will have dominion over all the earth and the sky and you shall witness the destruction of the city you love. I shall send it plummeting to the depths below and I shall laugh as your children die."

Judith struggled and her hand slipped into her pocket. The phial she had secreted earlier! With one swift movement she snatched the frail bottle from her pocket breaking the stem on Holofernes's arm as she thrust it into his face. But he was quick, his responses more tuned than hers, and he knocked her back once more against the wall. But in his fury the bottle was shaken from her hand, spraying its contents across Holofernes's chest. The aromatic liquid quickly found its way between the cracks and joints of his body; seeping with capillary action into his mechanical heart.

Abruptly he released her, throwing his head back as if to cry out, but there came no sound. He collapsed to the floor, grasping at his chest, scratching the metal. But he wasn't dead.

Judith stood over him, rubbing her bruised shoulders, and smiled. He looked up at her, paralysed. If it had been possible for that mechanical face to show emotion, Judith could have sworn she saw fear.

The liquid had been diluted by the struggle, and it hadn't killed him, but he was immobilised.

She reached into her pocket, and found the spanners. Pulled a selection out and knelt at Holofernes's side. "Are you Metric or Imperial" Let's see shall we.

The bolts at Holofernes's neck had been tight, but not impossible. The worst bit had been when she unexpectedly broke the seal on a hydraulic pipe, and the viscous fluid had spurted across the floor. He had sighed one last "No, please," as the life giving liquid had drained away, but Judith hoped he had remained conscious just long enough to be aware of her raising his head high above his cooling metal frame.

Without their powerful leader the fleet would be paralysed. Judith knew she must now return with Holofernes's head to the high council to give them the will to fight. Show those indecisive fools how to defend themselves!

Again she smiled. Holofernes's bolts had been Imperial fitting! It's all Metric these days...

[AlyFell]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232396488_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16872/16872_1232396488_medium.jpg)

Software: Photoshop

“Approach, human.” The giant doors rumbled shut behind Judith. They were alone.

His voice had none of the mechanical whine common to his kind. It was smooth and soporific, like autumn harvests. Holofernes had once been human, and bit-by-bit, as his humanity had faded and he learned to hate, he had replaced his body with brass, copper and steel. Judith had once loved that man. Long ago. If there was anything human remaining in that motorized form, it was now time for Judith to discover.

“My lord,” Judith’s voice held. “ I come at the request of our people to hopefully dissuade you from the folly of attacking out city Betulaia. We are a peaceful...”

“Silence!” The summer harvest was gone. He swung round and the hollow slits of his eyes found hers. “I know you... Judith! You return to me you now? At this eleventh hour?”

In a flash he was in front of her, his smoky breath hot on her face, Oil and steam. He grabbed her shoulders, and pushed her back against the wall. The impact knocked the wind from her and she gagged.

“You were once mine, woman. But that can never be again, for I am no longer man. Men are weak and fallible and shall be destroyed. I will have dominion over all the earth and the sky and you shall witness the destruction of the city you love. I shall send it plummeting to the depths below and I shall laugh as your children die.”

Judith struggled and her hand slipped into her pocket. The phial she had secreted earlier! With one swift movement she snatched the frail bottle from her pocket breaking the stem on Holofernes’s arm as she thrust it into his face. But he was quick, his responses more tuned than hers, and he knocked her back once more against the wall. But in his fury the bottle was shaken from her hand, spraying its contents across Holofernes’s chest. The aromatic liquid quickly found its way between the cracks and joints of his body; seeping with capillary action into his mechanical heart.
Abruptly he released her, throwing his head back as if to cry out, but there came no sound. He collapsed to the floor, grasping at his chest, scratching the metal. But he wasn’t dead.

Judith stood over him, rubbing her bruised shoulders, and smiled. He looked up at her, paralysed. If it had been possible for that mechanical face to show emotion, Judith could have sworn she saw fear.

The liquid had been diluted by the struggle, and it hadn’t killed him, but he was immobilised.

She reached into her pocket, and found the spanners. Pulled a selection out and knelt at Holofernes’s side. “Are you Metric or Imperial? Let’s see shall we.”

The bolts at Holofernes’s neck had been tight, but not impossible. The worst bit had been when she unexpectedly broke the seal on a hydraulic pipe, and the viscous fluid had spurted across the floor. He had sighed one last “No, please,” as the life giving liquid had drained away, but Judith hoped he had remained conscious just long enough to be aware of her raising his head high above his cooling metal frame.

Without their powerful leader the fleet would be paralysed. Judith knew she must now return with Holfernes’s head to the high council to give them the will to fight. Show those indecisive fools how to defend themselves!

Again she smiled. Holofernes bolts had been Imperial fitting! It’s all Metric these days...

[MartinNielsen]

Good work :) I really like the lighting of the character.

[goofara]

Wow! Her expression is... Wow! Great job! :)

[paperclip]

Great job! :D

Love the story.....congrats on finishing and on an image that's very portfolio-worthy!

[jpedro]

hehe, really well written Posh, imperially so! :thumbsup:

[vmulligan]

Nicely done. I say again that I think this is a great choice of myth. I still can't quite decide which head I like the best, but I'm quite impressed that you were able to repaint those heads so quickly.

Congratulations on finishing, and best of luck in the contest!

[Coldrum]

Hey Aly, congrats on your final! Your work is always so meticulously rendered and this is no exception. I like how you have left parts of the dress loosely painted so that the eye stays focused where it's meant to be. Great job and good luck :) I did like it when the robot was on the floor but this works really well, cheers

[Goro]

hey aly! I totally missed your thread this time!
The steampunk topic fit's perfectly your style! I like how it turned out!

[Allerag]

Posture and lighting are superb and the story... kudos - I wish i had followed this thread sooner. Excellent choice of myths. Judith beheading Holefernes by Artemesia Gentileschi is one of my favorite paintings as is Judith with maidservant - they are both so deep and psycological. Your peice is definitely more playful - you should illustrate the whole story! :D

[rebelakemi]

And this one is beautiful! I love how she is posed in front of the window almost Mucha-style. Lovely warm colors and composition!

[AlyFell]

Thanks all the people who popped in and gave encouragement and advice. I wasn't quite as active in this challenge as in previous ones for personal family reasons, however I was determined to finish 'something'! Even if it wasn't quite as I intended it.

I think the smaller composition still works, but sometime I'd like to have a play with the extended one I started out with.

Best wishes,

Aly.

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