Urban landscape studies II

It's refreshing to be using lots of colour, and these mini compositions really are a joy to play around with.

Urban landscape studies

These quick mini-studies were a lot of fun to paint. These two were my favourites. They are interpretations from memory of familiar places around my city. I was exploring colour, space (or depth), and composition. Size is about 5x6 inches. Next, the plan is to make a more polished piece from one of these.

Frollo Brooding II

I thought I'd try a closer view here. As a composition the previous post was more in line with my original idea. I had in mind a long shot with Frollo coming more towards us. Only his face and a few spots here and there were going to be illuminated. I also wanted him to be gliding smoothly through the shadows, but he looks more hurried here with his flapping cape.

Brooding Frollo - illustration

 

Claude Frollo once again. This was only meant to be a concept to work out composition etc, but I've already had several attempts at this one. Not sure yet if I will do one more version on good paper, or move on with the knowledge I gained from doing this one...

scene from Hunchback

Extracted from Notre-Dame de Paris, Claude Frollo is interrogating Pierre Gringoire about his relationship with Esmeralda,


"Dom Claude had been listening in silence. Suddenly his deep-set eyes took on an expression so shrewd and penetrating that Gringoire felt them probe him to the very depths of his soul.."


This was only meant to be a preparatory study for a more finished illustration. You can still see my rough under-sketch in red if you look not so closely..

I wanted Frollo to look a bit scary - his lanky body protruding out from the shadows - while retaining some humour regarding his insecurity.

(Apologies for the watermarks, but it's either that or lower res images!)

"Care Free"

As promised, here is the higher res version. Feel free to download and use it as your wallpaper... I am! This piece marks a milestone and a new direction for me creatively.  I hope to develop the style and motifs futher in subsequent pieces.

I decided to call this one "Care Free". So.. what do you see? Where's he going? What's he thinking? Your feedback and comments are most welcome!

Rowing By Moonlight

Big post this week, this illustration is intended for sale as a print. Going for lots of mood - I was listening to the French classical composer Erik Satie a lot while doing it, particularly Gymnopédies, and Gnossienne, and Ogive. If you know those pieces, you might be able to tell me if I have capture the right mood.