Tabitha

[ptashechkapropela]

[ptashechkapropela]

I've been inspired to write a fanfic, and even illustrate it... I based it on “Hellblade 2” and “Outlander”. It's not hard to guess that Senua's place in my story has been taken by a girl from our time. 👁️

I'm not sure I want to publish the text yet, but I'll definitely be featuring the illustrations.

[ptashechkapropela]

Skald’s portrait 🪶

[ptashechkapropela]

Skald’s portrait. Part 6 🪶

Today I'm finishing the portrait.

I’ve already painted the strings and have finally moved on to the background.

Some of you might’ve noticed that, while working on this piece, I ran into an issue - the so-called «burning» of the oil.

This usually affects darker areas, which turn matte over time, making it harder to build further layers. It often happens due to the primer or the layering process itself - when a previous layer soaks up the oil from the next one like a sponge, stripping it of its gloss.

So, I’ll be reworking those darker zones.

A final varnish usually takes care of that, though.

I’ve filled in the sky, choosing a shade just lighter than the drakkar to help it stand out.

I decided to add a suggestion of a mountain slope - which, of course, will soon try to fade into the distance as well.

I «scattered» the stars quickly, and of course, added the Big Dipper - you can’t really skip that one, if you know what I mean.

I played it safe and touched up the dull spots once more.

And that’s it... now all that’s left is to wait for it to dry completely and give it a final coat of varnish.

[ptashechkapropela]

Skald’s portrait. Part 5 🪶

Today I’ll be painting the darkest areas - establishing the overall depth of the piece.

I started with his cape - in fact, it turned out to be almost completely black.

I’m working on the sleeves in more detail now. Later in the process, I’ll darken them further to keep the visual focus on his interaction with the lyre.

I went back to the portrait for a while. It seemed that last time, I didn’t quite get the tone right.

The same goes for the hands - against the dark clothing, they lost a bit of contrast, so I decided to fix that right away.

The lyre, of course, gave me some trouble. I had to compare it with several references to really understand how this instrument is constructed.

I returned to the portrait again to refine the beard. For that, I used my most experienced brush and began randomly scattering paint - creating a more complex and interesting texture.

Overall, there’s very little left to do, so I’ll continue in the next and final part.

[ptashechkapropela]

Skald’s portrait. Part 4 🪶

Today I am refining the portrait.

An important thing here is to understand that the volume is created by those areas where the light falls, they will also be the most detailed. This is why I add more details somewhere, refining the tone and color.

As you have noticed, here I am using a smaller brush to mark some nuances, and then I return to a larger brush summarizing the applied strokes.

Here I got really carried away with the portrait, but no one forbade us from the meditative process.

I leave the work in this form and say goodbye for a while.

[ptashechkapropela]

Skald’s portrait. Part 3 🪶

- «Hvat er skald nema þat?»

This time I start working with color.

First, defining the lightest places, in this case, these are those where the light from the bonfire: the face and hands.

I am writing without going too deeply into details for now, sketching color in such spots, here you still need to focus on the chiaroscuro. In principle, working with tone is an endless process. :)

I try not to linger too long on any one area, periodically moving from place to place, so as not to blur my eyes too much, otherwise you can disrupt the integrity of the entire work.

In this case, I will have a contrast of warm and cold, so I add a little blue shades to the shadows, since the second source of light is the light moonlight.

In the next part, I will begin to refine the portrait, so don't get lost.

[ptashechkapropela]

Skald’s portrait. Part 2 🪶

In the first part, I told you that I decided to change the lighting in the portrait - from day to night, and add light from the fire. So I try to add all the shadows that correspond to this.

I paint translucently, as if it were watercolor, the task here is to analyze the work by tonality and not be distracted by the color. In general, this stage is not necessary, it is at your discretion.

But I paint on wood, and this is a way to additionally "oil" it, although my canvas is prepared, the wood still absorbs paint very strongly and eats up the pigment, so I try not to neglect this stage.

[ptashechkapropela]

Skald’s portrait. Part 1 🪶

[ptashechkapropela]

yes, it's his eye 🌚

[ptashechkapropela]

[ptashechkapropela]

Have you noticed how many touching shades there are in just one sunset?

Running away from the wind, wonderful forms turn into delicate feathers. Storm clouds recede into the distance, covering the horizon with a purple mystery.

No, I am not a landscape painter, but my love for the sky cannot be described in words. It can only be depicted. 🪶

[ptashechkapropela]

The character who broke my heart 💔🪶

[ptashechkapropela]

[ptashechkapropela]

I survived the events in Mariupol in order to return and post this art)))

I returned to you and, to be honest, it is very difficult to return to normal life after all these shellings and other horrors. I am glad that I was able to survive and now I can finally return to work again, although mentally, day after day, I remember every shell that whistled over my head and exploded nearby. Whatever it was, for me this nightmare is in the past, but let's not talk about sad things anymore.

Rather tell me do you like the new artwork, and do you want more illustrations like this?

[ptashechkapropela]

The wedding of Olgierd & Iris 💔

[ptashechkapropela]

Not the most good interpretation of Olgierd, but why not! Especially considering the fact, that this work took half my life 🤧