Guinevere Waiting

*Please full view*

Well, this pic had an interesing origin. The costume is one worn by an extra in a Monty Python sketch* that I really wanted to draw. Hazel Pethig is a damn fine costume designer, I must say. For some other reason, I was also thinking of 'The Once And Future King' by T.H. White (highly recommended)**, and the two trains of thought, er, collided.

For those unfamiliar with the details of the traditional tale, Guinevere is a rather tragic figure (as are many of the best Arthurian heroes). She's fated to be Arthur's bride, but he is a good generation older than her and their relationship is less passionate than it is familiar. Launcelot - who saved her for Arthur - is doomed to fall in love with her. Arthur, understanding (to a degree) turns a blind eye for a long time, but when other members of the court conspire to force Arthur's hand, the seed of Camelot's fall is sown.

Is she waiting for Arthur or Launcelot? I suppose we'll see when he arrives.

Artistically, I was glad to be putting in some real work. Still trying to airbrush less; curses, etc. Still working on my colour & lighting. I had most of the major colour elements on their own levels, where I would twiddle endlessly with the colour balance, levels, contrast, saturation, etc. etc. to get something close to the effect I wanted. I envy the matte-painting crowd's command of light and colour... oh do I ever. I wish I had the eye to lay colours down confidently in the original go-around (or to even come to them through correction), especially when it comes to laying in colours as a cohesive whole (reflected light, colours in shadow, colours that crop up across an image - as opposed to having everything in a neat separate area like a damned colouring book).

Perhaps that will come in time. Lord knows I try.

*(the 'A Scotsman On A Horse' sketch, Episode 6: 'It's The Arts' for those who are so interested.)

** a semi-modern reinterpretation of the Arthurian legend, in five volumes - very excellent. The old Disney movie 'The Sword In The Stone' is a mostly-accurate animated version of the rather lighthearted first volume. The later volumes become by turn, heroic, epic, and tragic. <3<3<3 Gawaine (hey... maybe I'll draw a picture of him too).

note: edited shading slightly on Dec 22nd - the ever-so-slightly-too-light walls were driving me NUTS.