HEY! Congratulations!! Simon! Seems that I had the right feeling about this one - it was one of my favorites right from the start! Great work - you most certainly and absolutely deserve it 
Furthermore it’s great to see painterly art getting some appreciation. :arteest:
Cheers,
Dimitrij.
P.S.
So how does it feel to have won?
Hey Simon, congratulations !! Simply amazing artwork, a really well deserved win!!
Time for a big big bottle of champagne !! Cheers!! 
( the only sad thing is that you will be on the judges side on the next challenge 
… 
… for sure this side - the contenders side, the dark side ! is much fun … :D)
nwiz25 - Thanks v much!!
MartinNielsen - Thanks!
yakonusuke - Glad you think so
walrus - Cheers, Mike! I’ve only just got back home and I’m able to see your pic on a decent monitor - those expressions are cracking! I bet it was so close between us - if the wind had blown in another direction you would have scooped it
scala - Good of you to say so, thanks!
HornlessUnicorn - Much appreciated and your comments and encouragement helped. How do I feel? Suprised, mainly, and pleased of course! but at the same time I’m aware I’m not suddenly a great artist because I won a competition - I’ve got ****loads to learn and it’s a long process
Ferx - Heh, I might have to settle for some orange-juice tonight I tell you what, though, the thought of me on a judges panel like this one cracked me up Talk about a small fish in a big, big pond!!
outstanding image and well deserved price. As mentioned by everyone; Great colors and lightning combined with a nice hudson river school feeling. Not to mention the approach: it´s allways an eye candy to see what you skulpt out with some dropped colors on a screen.
cheers, fahrija
Thalassos -
Fahrija - Thanks very much Colour sculpting, that sounds pretty good. Hope you don’t mind if I use that in an interview or something
Baron, congratulations! . sure winner. great work you did and not just that …great support and feedback. especially your last comment in my thread
One thing to say . The simplicity of your piece against crazy amounts of detail and FX made its way up! that was lovely!
cheers
Bayona
congratulations Simon, very well deserved win and as i’ved said before it is one of my favorite entry here in this competition.
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Congratulations, Simon!
It is said that one of the marks of real art is that it looks natural and effortless, it is definitely the case here.
Hat off to you, and thank you for your advice in my thread.
artizakO - Thanks very much for your support
Thaldir - Cheers, that’s a great compliment! I wish I’d have had more time to make comments on other people’s pieces but glad you found mine useful. That said, you ended up with a very accomplished, professional painting, certainly one of my favourites.
congratulations! thought you had a winner there right from the start
ncie one man, see you in the next one!
A
Congratulations Simon!
It’s been a coup de Grace… :arteest:the idea behind your lightful development of the theme hit the point! You were one of the “early birds” in the contest that catched the well deserved worm!
I love it! Great, man! Chapeau!
Cheers…
Peter
neudecker - Cheers! Submitting early has its advantages - you don’t get discouraged by seeing all the other great entries! Thanks again!
I continue the congratulations so, congratulations! 
You´ve made a very cool image,sincerely.
Have fun and enjoy 
Hey Simon,
Congrats. The honor is very well deserved. You’ve created an incredible piece of art. Thank you for your help and encouragement throughout the challenge. Best of luck with all that you do.
Brad