by Donato
With the Illustration Master Class coming up this week and construction within and outside our home, there is much news to report, but little time to write it up! I’ll leave you with a recent oil painting –Kushiel’s Dart- premiered at Spectrum Live II and just published by the Science Fiction Book Club for the new release of the classic novel by Jacqueline Carey.
I wanted to push just how far I could desaturate the skin tones and make her still feel slightly warm. My apologies to John Jude Palencar for using his tattoo design…John was the original artist on this novel years ago.
Following is the latest in the Middle-Earth Limited Edition drawings (three to go!)
Until next time, best of luck with your art!
UPDATE!
In response to a tremendous outpouring of requests, fine art limited edition giclee prints of Kushiel’s Dart are now available on my website:
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| Kushiel’s Dart Oil on Panel 24″ x 36″ |
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| Were you a friend of Boromir? 9″ x 11″ |
Amazing work! Think the pose change was spot on and that vase … such a great design and beautiful color.
Fantastic piece! Love the the play between the red color and the skin tone.
Aaaaah so that's the image I kept spying in the back of your Artist in Residence article in ImagineFX! I kept wondering if that was a new Kushiel cover and wishing I could see it up close.
Thanks for sharing! It's so lovely. I'm a big fan of the series and am happy to hear it's getting another release with an even more stunning cover (for as lovely as John's was). I would so love a print of this, if there's any chance you're able to make them available?
This painting was very timely for me to see because I've been doing an illustration exercise where I redo my favorite book covers. Kushiel's Dart was on the top of that list!
The link to my WIP of the Kushiel's Dart redo, if anyone's curious:
http://www.wipnation.com/posts?PostKey=10588
(Seems I cannot escape the roses and backless dress either. They're so iconic!)
I loved seeing this one at SFAL! I think my favorite part of the painting is the way you rendered the skin on her back. It was so smooth, but you could still see the brush strokes, so it made it both very realistic and painterly at the same time.
PS.
I'm a little sad you couldn't go with the completely nude figure wrapped in sheer cloth. That would have been such a quietly mystical piece, even if it isn't quite bookstore appropriate. I hope you get to redo the rest of the series covers as well. That would be something to see!
Hey Donato – No problem about the tattoo design…. actually, Jacqueline Carey came up with the design if my memory serves me correctly.
Just wanted to take the opportunity to tell you I really admire the textures and lighting in your work, John! I can always spot your unique stuff a mile away. Keep on creating!
Oh my goodness….WANT!
Will this be available to purchase as a print?
Jacqueline Carey did not actually come up with the design, although the artists based it on her description. The publishers own the right to the tattoo design, although it is fine to use the art for non-commercial representations. Adaptations are also ok. But if you're using the design to make money, it is best to ask permission from the publisher.
Also, this is a lovely piece of artwork, wonderful job!
Please, please, I hope it's available as a print!!!
Thank you all for the comments! I had not thought about making this work into a print, but considering the demand here in just a single day, it will be justified. I begin the proofing after I return from the Master Class in two weeks and provide you all a heads up here on Muddy Colors.
I appreciate the kind words and support! It is people like you that keep me working hard in order to please…
Donato
Great piece Donato! Very elegant. The metal work and vase are wonderful design elements.
I've been sending people to this post via the Kushiel's Legacy fan group I curate (as well as the author's FB page, where Jacqueline Carey shared your piece today). That might account for some of the requests, at least! I'm ready to drop a link to them, whenever a print becomes available.;) Hope you make lots of sales! It's always nice when we're able to do that with commissioned work.
Keep up the wonderful stuff! I'm keeping my fingers crossed you're commissioned for future cover re-releases.
The middle oil painting is PERFECT, where can I get one?
And it was just yesterday that I realized that I never shared my post on creating the art on Vorpalizer.com. So happy to hear such nice feedback.
Here's our writeup:
http://vorpalizer.com/post/52376294192/art-directing-donato-giancola
Wonderful, Matthew! I always enjoy seeing how the process works like this. I've passed the link on for Jacqueline to share with her fans too. I'm sure she and her fans be thrilled to see the cover with full text treatment!
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But. . .Phédre's hair is black, not brown as in the painting. Otherwise a beautiful representation.
it will be helpful for all blogger. I'll write a post on my blog on it. thanks for sharing.
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