These portraits are just beautiful as always. Yes, many people seem to be in an upset about how you may have achieved these final images, but I agree with many people here who truly think that it should not matter either way (well, provided that if photos are used, they are your own). What is posted is your final vision, and whether photos were used or whatever was done along the way, this is still your final outcome. The end result is something to be reckoned with by all other digital artists whether they claim to be purely painters or photo-mainpulators. I especially like how you’ve been pushing the depth of field in your portraits and the eyes really draw me into each of these two new images. Oh yeah, I have some cream that may help clear up the second girl’s little skin problem – haha! Keep up the awesome work - can’t wait to see your book!
Ailill And Roksana, Linda Bergkvist (2D)
very fine paintings!.. I like especially the second one, with the bloody effect!.. about all that question of photos, or not, my “two cents” as you says in english, is simple: as far as You work on personal project, using photos, or anything, is just perfect… the only important thging is the result… just, as a professional illustrator, I want to add that to work on assignements, as you never have on hand the right model, in the right pose, in the folllowing hour, it’s most of the time impossible to work from photos,and you have to learn to draw anything without reference… if a photo exist, I use it immediately; it arrives nearly never!..
To those who doubt that work of this calibre can be hand painted (whether in a cg program or traditionally), I suggest you visit museums and galleries more often -. “Handmades” of this calibre are definitely do-able, they are hanging in most major art galleries in the western world.
As far as how this particular piece was created - why not just ask the artist? Speculation on issues such as this simply creates unnecessary (and perhaps petty) controversy.
Gord MacDonald
I really love http://www.furiae.com/images/roksana.jpg.
such a great pose, really tells a story!
Really impressive, I love the look of the first portrait (althou I feel it suffers a bit from being to photoreal). 
My favorite of these pieces is the full body picture of Roksana (the one you linked), but the face portrait is cool also. Bloodlines really seems like fun, might have too nick it from my roommate. :twisted:
Keep inspiring me,
Vidar
Linda - I’m sorry. If I had known that this series of images would have generated such a nasty response from some I might of had reservations about posting it on the front page … or not. Anyway, excuse some of these responses, ignore some or just be flattered that your work has had such a dramatic improvement that skeptics are now drawn to your threads.
Those of us who are familiar with your other work and have been captivated by your images for several years now … know you’re true to your craft. These two portraits and the third linked image are just absolutely beautiful. I hate to sound like a fanboy and I’d love to offer some sort of critique (all artists know this helps improve thier work), but honestly I just can come up with anything more to say about these than … “jaw dropping gorgeous!!”
I’ll even give ya one of these —> :bounce:
I love all your work … I don’t care how you do it. They’re brilliant!
Man, this is absolutely awesome! I love especially the second painting, the blood etc, very violent 
Well, without any more words: 
from me! 
My my Linda, you sure will have a lot of work answering all those praises/flames…
Must be hard for you to see the good ol “photo manipulation” rant, I still remember that pic u dedicaced for them, and it’s been like… 2 years (some thought you even used some kind of special program haha ^^)? I guess it will follow you until you get even more famous.
It’s always a plaisure to see your art, you’re one of those artist (ok you are THE artist) that keeps pushing me forward, not necesserly to catch up with you, as there is no race, but just to get better.
When will you finally give us a really tutorial on how you blend skin by the way (and everything else for the matter)? And what do you mean by “feathered brush” in d’artist? Could you maybe give an example of how it looks like? 
But how sad to see all those ppl flaming you… I mean… Look at W.Bouguereau, he was able to do stunning things with plain natural media, no zoom, no undo, no color managment, while you still don’t have his incredible level, why can’t ppl believe other ppl do exist that can draw in an extremly realist way… There’s a huge difference btwn using ref’s and editing fully or partly a photo 
Ah well what I said won’t really change much but at least I hope it’ll cheer you up a bit, along with the other serious replies, after the “Wooa Linda is Cheating 2 the return” strike.
Hey, congrats Linda!
Nice to see that you work on pushing the bar for what you can achive as a 2D painter.
I’m looking forward to see your book.
cheers!
/Alice
Amazing as always!
I love your work Linda. In fact I think i may be ‘in’ love with the first image…
Sorry about the whiners. If they got out more often, they might realize paintings of this quality/beauty have been around for hundreds of years. Those negative posts are the kind of thing that made me stop posting here…well, that and the fact that I’m a no-talent bum.
Hope you feel better soon. Can’t wait to see more stunning work.
Thanks for sharing with us. -don
Red hot, the model is very pretty and now sits on my desktop, thanks.
Keep on kicking arse!