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Leopreston — Midnight Commission

Published: 2006-09-13 14:35:44 +0000 UTC; Views: 3444; Favourites: 40; Downloads: 23
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Description This was a piece that I was commissioned to create by the wonderful Bryan Mischke: *Lupinator

So, what can I say about this image? Well, how’s about this… it took a very long time to complete! No, seriously, it did (working on and off over this lengthy period of time that is). This piece required a hell of a lot of detail, no easy task, but quite honestly, it looks all the better for it and I’m really flattered that Bryan put so much faith in my (at the time), rather limited digital painting skills. Ultimately, he gave me the chance, through the creation of this depiction of his character, to invent and try out new techniques in digital painting, as well as develop my existing skills further.

This is in fact, the second time I’ve ever seriously tried my hand at creating an entirely digital piece of artwork with a full background, and I can now say, with confidence, that beside Cold Shoulder, this is the best I have managed to do so far. The painting itself was colour rendered in Photoshop with a pre-sketch acting as an under guide. In the end, it took 68 different layers in total to construct this image (which caused my laptop to start hiccupping quite a bit), and on my part, much loud music playing, several late nights and many, many cups of tea (oh, thank God for the tea!!!).

Midnight, of course, refers to the alternative name of Bryan’s character, Sarah Freeman, described as being an anthropomorphic chimera (biological creation), a physically imposing, overpowering and ruthless soul. This image, however, reflects on her more vulnerable, feminine and perhaps tragic side. She’s tough (I love strong female characters) but also perhaps, deeply depressed. I won’t go into the detail of her character and personality too much because she’s very complicated, but what I can say is that she came across as rather unhappy and lonesome… a misfit of society. Let’s just say, she definitely has issues.

Back to the composition, there is a story behind it and a deeply sad and engaging one at that, but it’s also too detailed to recall here, so I’ll just let the symbolism of this image speak for itself. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, is it not?

(Sarah ‘Midnight’ Freeman © Bryan Mischke / Artwork by Leona Preston © 2006).
(Used and posted with permission).


Please remember to respect my Copyrights!
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Comments: 91

Leopreston In reply to ??? [2009-02-25 19:38:40 +0000 UTC]

Glad to hear it.

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Jimmpan In reply to Leopreston [2009-02-25 20:35:32 +0000 UTC]

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laturia [2007-02-01 13:19:05 +0000 UTC]

Ya draw too good



*grin/thumbs up*

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Leopreston In reply to laturia [2007-02-01 13:21:44 +0000 UTC]

Lol, thank you!

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laturia In reply to Leopreston [2007-02-01 14:17:30 +0000 UTC]

Bol, ya welcome Leoseno

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Leopreston In reply to laturia [2007-02-01 21:13:08 +0000 UTC]

!

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Cunjo [2006-11-30 21:57:22 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful work, it really tells a story...

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Lupinator In reply to Cunjo [2006-12-04 01:59:03 +0000 UTC]

That was beautiful man *tear* your words are so inspiring... *sniff sniff*

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Leopreston In reply to Cunjo [2006-12-01 12:47:21 +0000 UTC]

Thank you.

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Rurudyne [2006-11-20 03:37:01 +0000 UTC]

I like it and maybe can comprehend the implied tension a bit.

I've a book called Prade which I hope to get published: one of the tensions therin is what is the status of chimera? Even if they still look human (most still look like their old human selves even if they now have canine chromosome count and gene order)? Or else what of the one member of their community that really doesn't look human anymore?

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Leopreston In reply to Rurudyne [2006-11-29 11:23:16 +0000 UTC]

Heh, I think Bryan's the one you should discuss this with. Seems that he has thought about this much before designing his character Midnight. I think there are many possibilities when you're working with the issue of chimera.

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riftryu [2006-10-21 16:52:17 +0000 UTC]

Beautifull :3. You did a fantastic job with this one- all the details and colours mix together perfectly. For a second digital painting it's really something awesome. Emotional as well.
I love how you did the flames (I find water, fire and wind hard to draw- I'm always impressed when someone can do it) and how much attention you paid to those small buildings over there...
All the other things like that blood, Midnight herself or even the tear running down her face, deserve an applaud.

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Leopreston In reply to riftryu [2006-10-23 13:52:21 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much! Much appreciated comments... certainly gives me the encouragement I need when it comes to creating digital pics, thank you!

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MoonDragon-cpe [2006-09-15 18:02:37 +0000 UTC]

Wow, you know despite what you say you're pretty damn good with digital paintings.
Love the atmosphere in this and now I'm craving to learn more about this character.
*runs off to Bryans gallery*

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Leopreston In reply to MoonDragon-cpe [2006-09-19 20:02:59 +0000 UTC]

Heh heh, He'd appreciate your visit. I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you more about his character if you asked. ^_^

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Lupinator In reply to MoonDragon-cpe [2006-09-15 18:45:49 +0000 UTC]

Oh, sorry to disappoint you, but most of my pictures and things that I've written about my character aren't with me right now. You wouldn't like what I had to say anyways because I'm a terrible writer. I hope to fix that in the future but for now everything I write is crap.

Thank you very much though, you have a great gallery yourself and I wish you the best with all your artwork. Take care.

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MoonDragon-cpe In reply to Lupinator [2006-09-16 09:05:50 +0000 UTC]

I'm sure your writing isn't that bad. I'll drop in on your gallery from time to time. I must say your gallery is quite impressive, your pencil drawings are amazing.
O and thankyou.

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Lupinator In reply to MoonDragon-cpe [2006-09-16 14:06:42 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, I'm very grateful for all your kind words. I think my main problem is that I have only been developing my artistic skills for a few years now, I've been very busy with other things as well, and you can't only really divide your time so many ways. I aspire to be a writer and a musician one day, but I feel that drawing will always be my most prominent area.

Again, I appreciate your kindness. Have a wonderful day.

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MoonDragon-cpe In reply to Lupinator [2006-09-17 12:43:10 +0000 UTC]

I know what you mean, I too would love to be good at writing some day but just find that there's no time for it. I play instruments too but I doubt I'll ever be great at playing them because I don't feel inspired to play much, the only thing
I can really rely on is art. But I hope you find the time to do want you want to do.
Hope you have a nice day too!

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Lupinator In reply to MoonDragon-cpe [2006-09-18 12:41:53 +0000 UTC]

Haha, well thanks for all the little mid-comment chat, and when ever it becomes an availible option for me, I'll probably put up a lot more art of this character in my gallery (in her armor even) and maybe some writings if I ever become inspired enough.

I wish you the best of luck though, and I hope you can become inspired in everything you do. Take it easy.

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Poila-Invictiwerks [2006-09-15 11:10:42 +0000 UTC]

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Leopreston In reply to Poila-Invictiwerks [2006-09-15 16:28:04 +0000 UTC]

! ^_^

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IonToon [2006-09-14 15:49:19 +0000 UTC]

I not surprised that Bryan Mischke love his commissions picture. You alway put the greatest effort into your work that making you a very reliable artist. You keep on astounding me with the atmosphere of your artworks. You make us all look

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Leopreston In reply to IonToon [2006-09-15 09:51:37 +0000 UTC]

^_^ Thank you!

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Marji4x [2006-09-14 12:30:01 +0000 UTC]

I can see so much of the story already through the picture. Great job, it's beautiful and worth all the effort youput into it!

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Leopreston In reply to Marji4x [2006-09-15 09:51:58 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, that's good to hear!

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Rocul [2006-09-14 08:40:24 +0000 UTC]

This is such a wonderful piece...

Her expression just calls out to you

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Leopreston In reply to Rocul [2006-09-15 09:53:53 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, I was hoping that in the end, her face would reveal a lot about what's going on.

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JonathanB [2006-09-14 02:36:29 +0000 UTC]

Just lost my comment that I typed out by hitting refresh by accident. What I was going to say was that your stuff is really amazing, and I just sit here wondering how the heck you manage to do this stuff so beautifully. I can't even draw a stickman digitally, so I really do envy you.

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Leopreston In reply to JonathanB [2006-09-15 10:04:33 +0000 UTC]

LOL! Gotta hate that refresh button... that and the way this message box thing makes words come out like thsi! ^_^

Btw, Thank you, I appreciate the kind comment!

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Nashoba-Hostina [2006-09-14 01:54:16 +0000 UTC]

Wow, that is positively lovely! So much detail and good value changes... I'm very fond of how the tears came out, and the lighting in the background!

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Leopreston In reply to Nashoba-Hostina [2006-09-15 10:08:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! So glad to hear that, because the tonal aspects were a nightmare!

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K-Es-Tressier [2006-09-14 00:04:32 +0000 UTC]

OMG leona thats great! im just loving the background abd how the Town in the background seems to be setting off that oragish glow that is like mist it seems X3 beauty beauty this is.

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Leopreston In reply to K-Es-Tressier [2006-09-15 10:11:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! Gotta love that orange glow...

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samrhodes [2006-09-13 18:51:13 +0000 UTC]

Very well done. I like the slight highlight on her front from the fire in the distance. ^_^
I start to lose patience after only 3 layers, which is odd...Considering I draw thousands of tiny lines with a pencil for fur.

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Leopreston In reply to samrhodes [2006-09-15 10:23:40 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, and yes, I hear you on that front. Sometimes I just can't be bothered anymore... But I knew I had to keep going with this. Thankfully, I was enjoying working on this character, so it was not such a big deal. ^_-

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Lupinator [2006-09-13 18:23:50 +0000 UTC]

I already let you know how I felt about this... in much detail...

LUVS U 4 EVAR!!!!!

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Leopreston In reply to Lupinator [2006-09-13 18:42:12 +0000 UTC]

*Dances with Bryan*

T'was your description what dun it! LOL... It wouldn't have turned out how it did if it wasn't for your detailed description. Tis all good!

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Lupinator In reply to Leopreston [2006-09-14 23:59:36 +0000 UTC]

*busts a move*

Well, ya, descriptive, or I talk to much, one of the two. You should see me in real life, once you get me into a conversation that I'm interested in, you could use my mouth as a freakin' boat motor. But the funny thing is when I get tired, I talk like a total stoner... "Like, all slow and stuff.... duuuude... and like... yeaahh." I also seem to be susceptible to giggle fits when I'm tired too, even at my age...

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Leopreston In reply to Lupinator [2006-09-15 09:47:46 +0000 UTC]

LOL! I hate it when I myself talk too much. I start to sound really silly... a bit like Yolos really. In fact, he was inspired by that side of me.

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Lupinator In reply to Leopreston [2006-09-15 10:09:35 +0000 UTC]

it when people talk a lot actually. I can usually learn a whole bunch about the person and I don't really have to worry about saying anything to keep a topic alive. It doesn't really work out so much in person though, because any time you want to say something... you are usually only allowed a few messily sentences before the person interrupts you again. I'm alright with it though, as long as the other person is happy.

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Leopreston In reply to Lupinator [2006-09-15 10:12:44 +0000 UTC]

^_^... Reminded me of that saying: 'Can't get a word in edgeways or otherways'!

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Lupinator In reply to Leopreston [2006-09-15 10:32:55 +0000 UTC]

Heh, gotta remeber that one...

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Leopreston In reply to Lupinator [2006-09-15 10:35:38 +0000 UTC]

LOL!

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gabrielsangel [2006-09-13 18:01:52 +0000 UTC]

Great joB! I love the cross in her hand! She just looks stunning!

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Leopreston In reply to gabrielsangel [2006-09-13 18:44:45 +0000 UTC]

^_^ It's the little details that are the best... the cross was one of the best parts to work on.

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gabrielsangel In reply to Leopreston [2006-09-14 16:54:08 +0000 UTC]

The little details are the most fab! They take forever, but they look the best!

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Leopreston In reply to gabrielsangel [2006-09-15 09:50:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! Well, I guess that's something that you notice when you look closer anyway... fun!

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gabrielsangel In reply to Leopreston [2006-09-15 15:08:39 +0000 UTC]

Very muchly!

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crystalpearl [2006-09-13 17:20:31 +0000 UTC]

oh that is so pretty. The blue furr color was a good choice

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