This was a piece that I was commissioned to create by the wonderful Bryan Mischke:



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).


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