I have soooo many good pieces of art in my favorites. So...enjoy...I've got 65 pages worth of favorites to explain!!! Let's continue the work shall we???

~.:THIS WEEK'S TOP 20...In no certain Order:.~

- Such a soft, yet "crisp" image provided by *charlie140588 The colors are very well blended/matched together. Lighting provides a soft creation. Sometimes it's hard to believe that such beauty comes from a blank screen and someone's vivid imagination. I love the shimmer of the eyes, but more so I love the lighting of the ruffles of the dress! The blending of the colors in the skin is handled with such skill, it makes me think...How much knowledge is in charlie's mind?! Excellent deviation!!

- I'm not sure if you remember in elementary school when we were introduced to colored pencils, but I sure do. And never did I imagine that they could be used to create such a stunning image as *odavis has created here. There is something about this deviation that says the creator is so comfortable with the pencils that he can make parts of the composition look unpolished. While also making the focal point so well crafted. To me that's a sign of true skill. Make it look so easy, yet so complicated at the same time. I'm sure that if the "model" of the image saw this picture, he would be extremely honored! I know I would!

- Here is another instance where we can be our own worst critics. ~FireofWinter says, "there is sooooo much wrong with this..." It takes courage to post something that one finds so much fault in. And, because of that comment I felt that I needed to add it to my collection. Many times people start something and immediately find fault in what they are trying to create, therefore not finishing. She probably saw those faults early, but pushed on to complete the drawing. And, on top of that...it was posted! How many times have you started something only to get discouraged half way through and not even want to come back to TRY to finish it? That's half my life's story. The hair and clouds are very well crafted. And, look at the detail of the freckles on the bridge of the nose...the shine of the lips...This image is definitely not a failure!!

- It's not so much the drawing, as what the drawing means to me. The comfort that we humans offer to each other in times of need. When we're feeling that we've come short in some aspect of our lives, or are just burst with love and appreciation for someone...I challenge anyone to WANT to keep those feelings inside! ~mbae captures an interesting image open for interpretation (without having read the poem associated). Are these two people deep in love? Are they making amends for a past wrong done? Is the woman looking for comfort from her man? Is the man looking for acknowledgement of his presence in her life? However it's translated...The emotion of the image is a selling factor. Tugs right on those heart strings!

- I simply love when art shows the texture of the paper in which it is drawn. ~Benbe's "Pastel 2" is neat in that aspect. It's also attractive (drew me to it) because of the depth of detail with the subject's eyes. Terror or overwhelming surprise/joy to be held by one he loves or...Exquisite lighting of the eyes. Especially on the left eye...where the lighting doesn't drown out the natural eye color. Skin tones well done. Love the combination of colors to bring shadow to the left side of the subject's face. And, oh so interesting incorporation of the white flower. Makes you wonder what's going on here? A deep love, or...maybe a stab through the heart????

- Shading is a staple in my artistic diet! I love a well shaded image. Not over blended, tonal balance, detail in the cloth of the glove...~asaake has created a quite alluring deviation here. I know nothing of the subject, or the band's music...but, as a stand alone drawing it...stands on it's own two feet. I have yet to attempt drawing hair, but this image is a pretty good road map to success once I start. I love how the light and grey are blended seamlessly in the face and neck. Metal likeness in the collar on the neck expertly created too. But, as mentioned before, the folds of the fabric of the glove are amazing. This was collected image as a result of "fav and run." So, there's why I "click-by fav'd."

- I remember when I was starting out with wanting to draw portraits, I found the reference picture that ~marcusfearnley has drawn here. Needless to say that when I saw this deviation, I was stunned. I was struggling with the lower fleshy part of the eye, and figuring the proportions of getting Anthony's face on the paper...Saw this image, and said...WOW! I COULD NOT POSSIBLY do this ANY better than Marcus has! Parts of it look as though it WAS drawn with graphite pencil, but then the dark parts blended to the lighter shades of the face look like charcoal was used. That's some pretty good blending, seeing as how pencil was all that was used. I might attempt to match his perfection here with the adjoining picture of Flea and John F. But, this drawing of Anthony is amazing! Likeness to reference image is DEAD on!!

- And so...Being a HUGE Silent Hill fan (Game and Movie), it's no wonder I fav'd this deviation by ~hartie. Pyramid head was one of the leading factors in me choosing this horror series over Resident Evil. hartie's deviation shows the ominous terror that Pyramid Head embodies. No words come from him...he doesn't need words when he's got such a big butcher's knife. Her drawing of P.H. is simple, and that's what terrified me about the character to begin with. He's in Silent Hill to do harm to those looking for answers. The Guardian of the Evil Town. In your darkest dreams hope with all your might that you don't become apart of P.H.'s collection hanging like a brisket in a cooler. Yummy!

- Yes it's a drawing. Full view to believe that *PyramidHeadxXx created it with pencils. I LOVE the blending of the eye. As seems to be a common theme in most stock galleries...running mascara, yet the lighting in the black of the running. Love the pupil of the eye, and the contrast of the white of the eyeball. Looks like each strand of hair was also painstakingly drawn, blended, redrawn, reblended...The emotion of the subject's brow is subtle as if telling the viewer she may be ok.

- I have been a fan of Brandon Boyd's words since S.C.I.E.N.C.E. With his lyrics he challenges those that listen to wake up and realize that the world is not as we are being told. My first listen was almost on par with the mental explosion of my first viewing of The Matrix. Yeah, his lyrics are that strong! ~elizile did well to capture his likeness, and I enjoyed that's not your typical grey/black tones. She has drawn the eyes with a level of joy that Mr. Boyd seems to have in life. My Muse LOVES this man for the beauty in his words...so, colleting this drawing was a must! The Band: Incubus, album of choice: Morning View.

- The hair...are you kidding? Flowing, full, balance of light and shadow representing each strand. This one must've taken some time. I also like that it's not super heavy of the pencil markings. =tinanewtonart also took liberties versus the original image. But, it adds to her display of skill in imagining a drawing, and then completing that drawing with amazing results. Light blending to create the face, lips and chin. In my studies of how light reflects an underside of an object, I found it difficult to replicate...But, she got the light reflection on her model's chin...tis awesomely drawn, and collected to show my appreciation.

- And as always, my love for the innocence of children. *abish's "precious moment" drawn here is a great display of that innocence. I really appreciated this deviation not only for the facial expression (smoothly blended), but the detail in drawing the texture of the clothing. I also like how the edges of the subject sort of fade away into a the white background. As if she was drawing a dream that she would love to come true. Another sign that abish's imagination with a pencil is amazing is that she drew this with ONE pencil! Being able to create blacks and greys with one 2b pencil is amazing. Usually to get such contrast of darks, lights and greys you'll see in the comments multiple pencils used (which is not to say that using more pencils equates to less skill), but it's always neat to see that one pencil can do so much to create a balanced drawing.

- After some pretty good conversation with *Yamenja about The Greatest of all time, I realized that his Greatness reached many corners of the world. *astarvinartist has Ali pegged as a Hero, which I fully agree with. Read the deviations comments (which sum up why he makes a good Hero). I love that in using the pastels to create the image he created the beads of sweat, as if the deviation was created while Ali was either sparring or in one of his Greatest of All Time bouts. Love the vibrancy of the red gloves, and the emotion "starvin" created here. The Greatest was focused in his mission to remain the greatest. And, in my heart he will always be The Greatest of All Time!

- The winter scene =jupiterkat2007 created in this deviation is splendid. Though I'm still relatively young on the grand scale of our existence lol, I remember stepping out into those winter days where school was called of and just staring at each flake that came closer to my feet. I really enjoyed that this deviation was composed with the fence in the background. Jupiter says that she was really happy with the final outcome of this drawing, and it's easy to agree with her. She did say the scarf shouldn't be mentioned, but given that she finished this after not having much sleep...the scarf is wonderfully drawn. Love the eyes, and the mouth of the model as drawn here. So difficult to be able to remain focused and encouraged to finish a drawing of this scale. I think it's a necessary addition to her gallery, and to my collection! It's a very inspiring piece!


- ~Alzirr's "Elizabeth is stunning on so many levels. The detail is one thing that is incredible. Each intricate piece of the white piece behind her neck (sorry I don't know what it's called), the light reflection in each piece of the necklace, the design and shading of the piece on her dress. The strands of hair, and shading to create the different levels of each row, the curls of her bangs, feathers of her decorative head piece. And then there's the blurred background ensure you focus on Elizabeth herself. Then there's the detail of Elizabeth's face, ear, neck muscles. Alzirr says she could have completed this in one day?! Wowwy Wow Wow!! This deviation basically speaks for itself. Not much in my limited vocabulary could due justice to what one look at this piece will do!

- ~E777Y's drawn translation of the original image is a perfect match. The reflectiveness of the light in the model's eye. The hair. The eyebrows are amazing. Eyebrows alone look like they were just copied and pasted in the drawing (which they WEREN'T!!!) The folds of the skin on the fingers...and edge of the nose are blended perfectly. To keep it simple...like photograph, like drawing. But, she's good at that anyways. especially with drawing freckles .

- This is the subject of my favorite Jim Carrey movie. He basically channeled Andy Kaufman in his performance for Man in the Moon. It's a dishonor that he didn't win an Oscar for that performance. ~JK89's drawing of Carrey here embodies everything that that movie was. The boyish wonder in the eye of Kaufman (even up to the final scene). Kaufman was another man in history that forced us to think outside of the norm that is always being forced on us. The Ultimate Practical Joker. I love the soft blending of jk's drawing. Love the collar of the shirt!!

- So, I had a conversation months ago with a co-worker who started teaching himself how to draw. "Black people's hair is so difficult to draw..." ~alexlartwork22 proves otherwise with his drawing of Luda here. Looking at it more deeply (full view) shows that the hair is layers of like colors that look spastically drawn. But, it also looks as though there is a minor sense of pattern with each layer. Either way, alex proves that black people's hair is not that difficult to reproduce on paper. I also like how Ludacris' face was drawn, and layers make the shadows. No apparent blending, just a layered composition that makes for a wonderful deviation. Plus, I loved Luda before the haircut!!!

- ~nuttyfool is proof that age matters not, only passion for drawing matters. Very much like the original photograph, there is a deep darkness to the deviation. The light in the drawing lends itself to many different interpretations. Is that a window? or is it a flame? If it's a flame...what's burning...Did she start the fire, or did she just happen upon it. What's the back story to that light, and why does she look so distant? I like the rendering of the eye in the drawing. The "flame" caught in her eye. Very enjoyable image to look at. Thought-provoking indeed!

- And to finish out this week's 20 is a very well drawn image from *whizzywhizzer. This drawing seems to have made it's way into many different deviant's drawing galleries. What made this deviation standout among the rest is the distinct tones of the muscle structure of the models back. INCREDIBLE! A goal of mine is to be able to reproduce on the level that whizzy has. Being able to capture each peak and valley of the muscles is a tough aspect of full body portraits. whizzy's gallery is full of wonderfully created drawings. Very little tops the pose in this feature addition, and I'm sure that you would agree...it was worth collecting!

I thought I'd try yet another way of featuring this time around. I have soooo many good pieces of art in my favorites, that I thought this time around I would go through and do them instead of overall galleries. We'll see how this one turns out...and, see if we have more per entry this way! So...enjoy...I've got 65 pages worth of favorites to explain!!! Let's get to work shall we???

~.:THIS WEEK'S TOP 20...In no certain Order:.~

- An ominous piece from *readyo. The muted tones, and self-portrait reflection in the mirror begs the question..."what's going on in that mind of 'mine'"...well, if you're getting into the picture as I did...

- I absolutely love the smoke effect =Tamachan87 created in this drawing. The frames of the glasses and hair detail expertly rendered as well.

- It says the image was drawn on illustration board, but no details on what medium was used. Regardless the lighting effects on the fabric draping the model shaded quite nicely. I can almost feel the silk...we do have satin pillow cases in our wonderland. not knowing what medium was used, doesn't diminish the overall form of the model drawn by ~bdoebler.

- The isolated feel of the image, and the model's facial expression are what I liked most about this picture. *quaevide is one of my favorite photographers on the site. I think this image would be a great reference for a charcoal/graphite drawing. Look at the deep dark shimmer of the model's lips. I hope someone will draw this one...maybe I will soon enough.

- is an interesting balance of midtones with the shading of the gray for the hair. The detail in the eyes is another drawing factor to this drawing. I really like that ~Freeglader paid special detail to each individual strand of hair. I've read that blonde is perhaps the toughest hair color to draw...but, drawn successfully here!

- I love the purple of the hate, and the result using colored pencil. For a first attempt using colored pencils, this drawing came out quite nicely...don't you think? ~mariaolivia's skin tones on the subject, and color blending for the realistic coloring of the hair is another drawing factor on why I fav'd this drawing.

- Simplistic, yet not so easily achieved. Taking just the major features of a facial portrait, and giving the viewer a feeling that the rest of the model is just as quirky cute as the eyes, nose outline and smile is something that I've noticed in my own drawing not easily attained. Shading on the cheeks is great too. Fav'd back when I was all about eyes and eyes only. I'm sure it's not the only thing I'd like in ~Zmartwychwstala's gallery now.

- When I started at devart, I wanted to be a photo manipulator mainly because of images like `blackeri's manipulation here. Each piece to the puzzle of her image is so perfectly blended together. The colors are off the chart with clarity. but, I'm a even bigger fan of her Deadly Sins. Now THAT part of the gallery is truly a treat for the eyes color wise...and the idea is a imaginative one.

- Done in just 3 hours using my favorite...Mechanical pencil. Grabbed and fav'd this one because of the folds with the fabric covering the model's face. I haven't gotten a chance to look through the reference model's gallery, but if ~meh31488's drawing is any indication of the caliber of reference material available in the reference stock gallery...We're all in for quite a treat!

- Is a neat self-portrait/self examination spin. Not only is it a self portrait, but the spotlight is on her...self. I'm sure that the clarity of the colors, and detail captured is much better in the original copy (as this submission looks a bit fuzz), but the glow of the soft white light bulb, the light reflection in the iris of each eye, and the shadow play I'm sure wasn't at all easy for ~LacieGail to put out on paper. Success in my book!

- The title is "Simple and Clean" is just that...simple...and clean. very very smooth. I hope to one day be able to get my art that smooth. ~LordAvatarZ achieves with this submission, a delicate piece to perfection. Delicate shadows that flow all through out the entire drawing. Like you would watch the ripples of a pebble in a relatively large body of water, the shading is just as calming in this submission!

- Though it's just a w.i.p., this beginning stages of a drawing is incredible in showing how some artists get such detailed outcomes...it amazes me that something so inspiring comes from a blank white piece of paper. Look at how the ear jumps right off the page. I remember when I saw this, it was like looking at the "Vortex" rollercoaster at King's Island for the first time as a kid. SHEER AMAZEMENT! There are 2 other amazing completed images in *jenchuan's gallery.

- As stated before, Eyes used to be the thing I wanted to draw the most. And this is an example of why. ~Dina-n1 does well to show depth in shading of the eyebrow, the folds of the eyelids. I also like the eyelashes. But, the real attracting factor to this image is the amazing detail in the tears. Not all tears are drawn with light catching accuracy. You can tell with this drawing where the skin begins, and the tear ends. Also love the reflection of the pupil!

- I think it's the only video game character I've ever fallen in love with. That's right! I was in love with a male video game character! It was just the most well thought out character that captured my attention in a long while. And =D17rulez's drawing of him should be a good explanation of why. He's so brooding, and he's very much about his mission. The lighting through shading is what made me fav this piece. Plus the detail of the clothing, and metallic light reflection. Small things are what I enjoy!

- I can imagine walking through a small art gallery, or nfp art museum and seeing this piece hanging on the wall. It's blending of all stock pictures is perfect. I know I use a lot of the same words in my journals, but perfect encompasses all this submission is. *Gild-a-Lily is one stock manipulator that has worked hard at the skill. It's not an easy skill. The hair is awesome! Her comments mention how much she is pleased with the blending of the sky, and I LOVE the sky in this manipulation.

- It IS a creepy eyeball...so the title of the submission is fitting. I love when an artist draws the hands that create the art as if it's being created and a picture is being taken. Of course this isn't a picture...but, I still had to fav it. Back in my eye phase, this was a new way of looking at how to draw, and document that it's being drawn. A creative deviation from ~HelloFredDarling...veiny pupil and all.

- A photograph that could be a drawing...or a drawing that could be a photograph. The mistake is easily made, but the enjoyment of having to make that decision is why I fav'd this deviation. Comments state it's a photograph. But, who of you that love to draw would look at this and immediately want to draw it. It's almost like looking at a porcelain doll's face. With just enough filmy grit feeling to confirm it's a human being. Now that's good photography! Well taken by `zemotion.

- And another brain/eye teaser! Photograph or drawing? Well the lips should tell you all you need to know. Well blended with the light reflections that are shown in the original photograph. The iris of the pupil...wow! That's what I wanted/want to be able to recreate in my own drawings. *yana182 does that recreation very well. Simplistic in it's facial shading...but, shadows of where hands meet cheeks...deep dark. Gotta love that!

- I mean come on?! The freckles on the nose...that's enough, but I go on to point out the eyebrow detail...eyelash detail...the intricate care in details of contrast 'tween light in the skin, and skin texture. Gloss of lip, even reflected in the upper lip. And, the fact that each individual strand of hair that is visible looks like it was placed on the paper instead of drawn. That's what prompted me to fav =ElenaR's drawing of Ms. Barton.

- This is one neat way of thinking about the creation of God's perfect beauty. I'm not suggesting that ~FinalFantasyEva is God, but it's still a neat way of thinking about it. Though it's not a manipulation, it has some of the elements of what goes into the combination of a well made manipulation. Was done with prisma color pencils. I love the rich color of the goldfish and the sky. Wouldn't it be neat if we looked up in the sky and saw the Lord's paintbrush, and Him peeking through the clouds. Oh what a child's imagination I have! It'd probably blow our little human brains up?????

For the observer in you! Features!

After a week vacation in birthday land....here are my next deviants...drumroll...please?



From to , lp has shown some SERIOUS progression into his craft as a pencil portrait artist. I saw his Keira Knightley 2 drawing when browsing through the Traditional Portrait gallery, and was IMMEDIATELY inspired to want to know more about it. After looking further I found that his gallery was one of great care and precision with his learning craft. Beyonce, and trap Ballerina were great starts for a soon to be astounding gallery. After talking w/ lp, we both shared concerns w/ going too dark in our drawings. But, having looked at the challenge, and enthusiastically wanting to overcome that challenge it has been a wonderful journey into the growth of a young artist! His proportions have advanced, his proportions become more relative to the overall composition. He has actually gone from facial portraits to more complex detail and design of his deviations. The hand that Rocks the Cradle shows the care and delicate hand for capture the smallest details in human skin. lovers was the first attempt at multi-subjected portraits, which was very well accomplished. And, Top Model Amanda which he has made his gallery feature. I believe it is very well deserved to be a crowning achievement for an amazingly progressive gallery. I hope that I'm around to see his talents further progress! Give him a visit, for more...You WON'T be sorry you did!! (Oh and wish him a happy belated birthday! He had his annual celebration yesterday!!)





as I mentioned with a previous journal entry, I appreciate stock artist and all they provide! Letinha's stock gallery is no exception at all! Such vibrant colors (thanks to the firefox 3 update). Joie de Vivre exhibits my favorite color. But, it's a wonderful testament to her skill with stock photography. As a pencil artist, having a crisp clear image as a reference is one of the most important things a stock photographer can provide. Letinha offers that and more. Her's is a gallery that is quite diverse in what is available. Iguana 2 for instance...incorporates those vivid HIGH DEFINITION LIVING colors of wildlife. Classic 3 is a great structure shot! And then...there were kids!! Beauty is a nice image to start with. So...go ahead and rummage around in her gallery. Make sure you pay attention to the comments, cause not every image is stock...but, that which is...Excellent reference material!





lends itself quite nicely to a graphite or even charcoal reproduction (given that you can control the charcoal to that extent of minute detail). DawnAllynn is a pretty good feature for this time of year...as October draws closer...so begins the countdown for THE Halloween. DawnAllyn has some pretty good stock that would work for those looking to explore more of the Halloween themed creations. Bones 1 and Shawna's Masks 1 are images of our pending Tricks or Treats! And, lately I have been admiring more and more excellent photography in naturescaping. I don't know if that's an actual category...but, it sounds nice. Bluer on the Other Side I loooove the rich blue of the sky, the sharp white of the clouds, and the gold goldiness of the grass. Another mood setter for the ending summer. Gallery also contains various other great landscape shots, and some impressive packs for download. Always be sure you follow your stocker's rules! They provide a wonderfully time consuming way to get out in the world when you don't have the time to get lost in it your self. So...now go get lost in DawnAllyn's world of stock!



&

I'm starting to remember what I wanted the overall theme of this journal was going to be. Meg2003 is another stock artist that has some exciting shots in her stock gallery. But, she also has a gallery of her own art. It's always interesting to see stock artists that have more than the stock dimension going for them. Her artist's account is alive with amazing color, and is an interesting study of emotion using those colors. Tree Sleeper is one of the photograph submissions that doesn't appear to have been run through any postproduction program. That's saying a lot right there. But, then you've also got the stock account. Blue I think would be a great image for some of the recent oil painters I've come across. Imagination with some of my favorite manipulators could find a lot of great stuff in the stock gallery (if they haven't already). Overall, the two galleries do work well together w/ an artist wanting to let the world use photography, and see how that same artist expresses herself. Great ideas are afoot at the Circle K...wait...um...in the two galleries. Go forth and get inspired!





I mentioned in the last deviant's area that I've started noticing more artwork done with oil paints. But, that wasn't entirely true. Aaronwty shows great skill with acrylics. Take the good Commissioner Gordon there...I love the brush strokes that overlay the entire piece. Not to mention the great detail shown in the hair, glasses, and aging folds of Oldman's skin. I'm finding that working with colors and paint are a necessary next step for anyone who loves to draw alone. Colors are a wonderful new world...just like that song in Aladdin...and speaking of bottles...Hennessy was done with chalk, so Aaron is skilled with more than just a paint brush! What I like about the bottle is that it's got the lighting as if the picture is backlit, causing the image to jump off my computer screen. That's amazing skill! Batman versus Joker is to continue my love of that one movie they made that one year...what was the name of it...oh yeah Harvey Dent Strikes back...No..it was Batman: Dark Knight. And the rendition Aaron has created in this submission was done in photoshop. Everything done from a blank canvas. It's amazing what dedicated artists can create...and, just how versatile this deviant is with all things available to us all! He did well with capturing one of the more psychologically intense moments in the film! Aaron seems to have a flare for American culture...has some other submissions that show that love. Get diggin' and see the American experience through his eyes.



if you're reading this, you might recognize this deviation from a previous journal. I thought I would take another look at Inferno's gallery a little closer. I think this is of the only 2 deviants that I have used as a desktop background while doing my daily grind. I of course did not use it for anything other than a morale boost on those rough days earnin' that 9-5. For one, Andre Benjamin (1.5 of Outkast) is a musical artist that has spoken to my soul with his lyrics. Inferno's caricatures are incredibly well drawn, colorful and comical as relates to their reference, also capturing the likeness of each to a "T". I think I enjoyed his gallery most because most of the deviations are of movies that I've seen and fell in love with instantly! No Country for Old Men has the feel of the chase in the desert, and the insanity of Javier Bardem's character. Adam Sandler Punch-Drunk Love, and Joe Dirt (pronounced Deer-Tay hehe) both use colors that were a driving factor in the mood of the movie. To me, it takes more than just drawing and coloring a picture, but using those colors to help set the mood of the overall composition. Inferno is quite proficient at all of that! And perhaps my favorite in his gallery is O brother part 2 because 1) it's one of my all time favorite movies (top 10 for sure), he got the likeness of each CHARACTER of the movie (not the actor) in spades! And the colors...oh yes...again I mention the colors of the deviation. Perfect! The white of jumpsuits aren't white, but dirty brown just like the movie! He's an incredible artist, and the afore mentioned deviations are just an introduction. It continues throughout the entire gallery. Go have a gander!

For the observer in you! Features!

- I don't remember how I came upon this deviation, but however it was...I'm so glad I did. Carlzon seems to have taken photomanipulation of portraits to a level I didn't know existed! His retouches of photographic images are simply astounding! Take "Sunday Mourning Retouch..." The orginal image is very well taken picture, but Carlzon takes it to a whole different realm. It looks like a drawn image! It MAY BE A DRAWN IMAGE! But, I'm not trained in knowing the difference...and that is why I am starting this week's features with his gallery! For an artist of his overwhelming skill, a small feature in a journal of a deviant who doesn't do much may not seem like much...but, to me...looking through almost every piece of his gallery woke something up in me. Isn't that one of the goals that artist try to bring out of people? Even if I never meet him, I wanted others to know that this gallery is a true testament to WOW! all further my argument at someone who has true skill, and great patience!



- was made in a rush...UH! I wish I could rush and come up with perfection like this. For rushing, Scarlet sure did capture wonderfully intricate details. Shading is top notch, lighting is top notch. The reflection in the sunglasses...I think that's what pushed me over the wow threshold in to speechless. I won't even begin to think about how much of a pay that hair was! I'm still just drawing my son's face..and that's got me struggling. It's artists like Scarlet that can discourage (it was a rushed image) if you let it discourage. I chose to see it for what it is. An inspiration drawn from another inspiration, and a split second decision to capture that excitment in the moment of seeing the reference image. I'm sure we all wish we could drop what we're doing, and zone out to that mental state to create such wonderful drawings, evem photography or writings as was done here...(SHE RUSHED!) shows comprehension and control of color work too!



- At first glance, it could be a photograph. It's not always a testament to one's skill that a portrait LOOK like a photograph, but I think it was well accomplished here. Photorealism seems to be a staple in Variations' portraits section. The depth with shading on each piece is incredible. I'm so glad that i found that section. I'm left speechless with and it was done w/ charcoal. I first fell in love with charcoal, but have since learned the extreme discipline it takes to master that medium. Beholder shows a supreme mastery of it. "I'm not a xerox machine and don't want to be one." where's the challenge in being a xerox machine? There are no challenges. That's why her expression of self satisfaction w/ the piece grabbed me. We're our own works critics, but acknowledgement by others helps us stay focused on the goal of a wonderful drawing. EXECTUED!



- Creepy, demented, f'd up, and perfect are the words I would use to describe Deathrockstock's gallery. Some of the images look to be inspired by Tim Burton, as if he were being channeled through to this gallery. Deathrock goes all out for the stock images too! and being two of the images that show a great use of props, and emotion. Who hasn't felt like the clown in the spotlight at some point this month?! I like to show my support of stock galleries that have great things to offer. No matter how twisted the image. Deathrock would be an interesting one to have a conversation with! "What an imagination...where does it come from?" Who knows what you'll find when you visit the gallery, but you will definitely find a different way of viewing things!

For the observer in you! Features!
EXTRA EXTRA PLEASE READ ABOUT IT:
Duality So... has a series in a collection of her gallery that is really surprising to see. It's an ongoing project of hers that is quite thought-provoking. It is one that I have been noticing in my own relationship. One that I'd wish there were more of for both women and men, but as a male dominated society men don't allow themselves to be broken into two personas. I do believe the double standards of our society (GLOBAL) are entirely unfair, and in most cases undeserving. No one person can force us to be who we aren't. Many a song as of late has been written with the notion of what Mnoo's project may have at one time been focusing on (when you read her description you'll see what I mean). But, as is the case with everything..the project has since evolved into one of a simple human study of the female species. "I wanted to show that these roles are not something imposed on us but something within us." I think it's a well thought out approach to a somewhat controversial subject in today's equal opportunity world. In the photographs taken of each subject there is a sense of beauty in both roles. The colors are incredibly combined. I'm pretty sure that me bringing this subject matter into conversation will be viewed by some as an excuse to continue the thinking that women have roles they must to which they must adhere, while men are free to create their own roles. That is not the case. I hope to bring to the forefront the whole purpose of Mnoo's project. We are who we want ourselves to be. We aren't what the world tells us we should be. The point is to find out who you are and, "Hence if you smile while doing the washing it might mean you're thinking of something that makes you happy - are happy. Not conforming to some role given to you nor trying to fight against it. You're just being you. Every woman has these roles (and many more) within themselves and there's nothing wrong in exploring them." . Aren't the color combinations and contrast between the images amazing? I thought so too.

- Jesus of Nazareth - More recently I have been thinking about my upbrining in the faith of Christianity. What I've always loved is what is captured in Shimoda7's Portrait of Christ. He has captured w/ his pencil what it must've been on the day my savior spoke up for all of mankind. The lighting and overall detail of this one composition, and the belief I have in one day seeing him myself is what sets this deviant's gallery apart from others. I only wish to one day be as good w/ hair as Shimoda7 is in this and other images such as: Waiting (a wonderful trip through the imagination), For The Sake of a Memory (once again the father in me came out...) and Monique (an intersting journey of sketch on paper into the brilliance of life through color...all in one image). I only hope to one day not only meet my King of Kings, but show such control and advanced understanding of my own tools.

- Robert De Niro in an hour...seriously?! IN ONE HOUR?! seriously? WOW!! Now THAT'S focus! It was hard to select De Niro as the image to represent Malevolentnate, but as you can see...It's one very well deserving of it. To be able to acheive such depth and detail in capturing the likeness in just one hour is an inspiration to me. Can also be seen in CHRISTOPHER WALKEN in 90 mins , and MORGAN FREEMAN in an hour Then he's pretty good with colors too (something I'm intimdated to tackle just yet ) in THE JOKER in DARK KNIGHT (and I'm off my Joker kick...I think ). Alls I can say is that the gallery that Malevolentnate has created is truly one that can help in the growth of your own focus...If you're looking for it (which I always am)!

- The Student oh to be a student...I remember those days...I also remember the day I got locked in my university's library after closing. I think that would be why I chose this image as the representation of a gallery that speaks for itself. When you visit you'll know what I mean. Harmlessartist is very good at capturing facial expressions through shading. She seems to always be looking at herself...which I'm sure we all do. But, unlike most of existence, she has a phenomenal gallery documenting what it is she's discovering through that exploration. Through images like, Torn Asunder and self-portrait she is showing that whatever your medium of self expression, you can learn the fundamentals of your craft as well as the fundamentals of yourself. Though too much self exploration can lead to too much self doubt...Strength in wanting to expand on what you learn is key. I think that's one thing that I admire about her gallery. Cast a shadow (I also like this image cause...well...it's incredibly drawn!!!)

- London Folk 25 to round out this volume's features. Tigg-stock has an incredible catalogue of reference materials. Everything from the portraits of her fellow country-people, to fantasy references, to nude references. I have been a watcher of her recent submissions, and with each upload there is a personal growth that is wonderful to know is still in existence. I have read some of her more recent journal entries, and felt that with one of the last two or three...Maybe a feature in a journal from someone who knows little to nothing about what motivates her and her crew to produce such useful stock...well, I thought that would be somewhat uplifting. As the saying goes, "smile, cause you never know who you're infecting!" So, I share with those unaware of the gold mine that is Tigg-stock's gallery...well...Tigg's gallery. Go, use, credit and get infected! Other notable stock images: London Folk 31 , London Folk 8 , Spring Courtisan 33 (love the lighting of this series, and the angles of the shots!)