HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

An interesting fact:  I'm Canadian, but I came to Canada when I was 11 years old.  In Serbia, where I spent most of my childhood, Christmas is a very religious holiday (I'm Orthodox Christian, though I would say I'm more spiritual than really religious.)  There is no Santa and St. Nicholas comes on a separate holy day.

I'm writing this to explain why Artemis, wearing what is deemed is Santa's hat, is wishing everyone Happy Holidays, when it pretty much appears as if it is all about Christmas.  However, in Serbia the person having the image of Santa Claus brings presents on midnight at the start of a New Year.  The translation of his name in my country is Grandfather Frost.  The Christmas Tree is simply New Year's Fir.

Therefore when Artemis (above) and I wish everyone Happy Holidays--we mean all holidays: Christmas, Hanuka, Kwanzaa, etc.

So: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Mili

Final Illustrations of "The Bridge"

I have been dreadfully sick for the past week with a horrible flu that had me in bed for 4 days, and barely able to sit up until today (day 7), but I'm happy to report that I have finally manged to finish the illustration of the bridge over Danube.

Original Painting

The above is one of the photographs I took of the original painting.  I decided to layer this image over a texture of old paper, which I happily found for free, graciously bestowed by Caleb Krimbrough.

 Caleb Krimbroughs Texture

Bellow you can see several of the final images I came up with combining different photos with the same texture, and playing with levels, layers, saturation, image adjustments, etc. 

 Final Illustration 01

 Final Illustration 02

 Final Illustration 03

 Final Illustration 04

Final Illustration 05

My favourite results are Illustration 03 and 05.  I cannot decide which one I would prefer.  

Which is your favourite?

Someone has already pointed out to me that at that time (105 A.D.) the whole area was probably forested.  However, I deliberately left space for the inclusion of text.  The art director and editor will decide how to crop this image to it's best advantage, that is why I always paint my illustrations bigger than the proportions demand.

I will let you know where you may find these images in print in a future post.

For now, enjoy and thank you for following.

Mili

Levinia's Riddle: Answer for your chance to win!

I just posted a new riddle on my Facebook Page. Answer for your chance to win $1000 worth of Mili Fay Art.

My College Drawing of Levinia

Digital Editing of Traditional Painting

As a member of the Children's Illustration LinkedIn forum, I received a question regarding the integrity of using digital tools to edit traditional paintings.  Though I love traditional art, I am not a puritan.  I'm in favor of using anything you deem necessary to get the work done, and get it done right.

A while ago, I painted a portrait, and thanks to the sharp eyes of David, it was pointed out to me that I made a serious error regarding the subjects eyes.

Original Painting

Having painted this portrait when I had a fever, I felt that there was something not quite right with it, but did not see my error until that moment.

Today, I hopefully rectified that mistake, using a digital editing program.

Edited Version

Thank you digital technology!

Please follow my Facebook Page if you wish to see more of my artwork as I progress.

Thank you for reading!

Mili

WORK IN PROGRESS: What is wrong with this painting?

I have been given a challenge to reconstruct a scene that has not existed for nearly 2000 years. The challenge of historically accurate representation is the lack of readily available information one can use for reference. No wonder there are research departments for historically made movies. It is not just the landscape one has to worry about, but the materials available for use at the time, and the knowledge to create.

I need to illustrate a Roman bridge created in 105 A.D. over Danube, from what is now Serbia to Rumania. This bridge was completely destroyed, and all that remains are a few archeological scars.

However, the Internet provided me with what I will assume are accurate dimensions of the bridge and information about the construction of Roman camps on either side. Books provided more information. Nevertheless, I feel as if I do not know enough, and unfortunately I cannot afford to spend more time researching the period for accuracy. I have to hope that editors in charge will be so good as to point out any discrepancies in my work, before I completely embarrass myself.

The drawing began with a satellite photograph of the area. Though I am aware that 2000 years of erosion has change the landscape considerably, it is the best visual representation I could come up with.

Then I created a flat dimensional map of the bridge. Inventing some dimensions, because unfortunately they were not included in my research.

With a digital program I placed the map over the photographed area, giving me as accurate representation of the bridge as possible, before adding details and completing my drawing.

However, I have no idea what existed around the bridge and the Roman camps (castrum-s), so I tried to create some cottages and farm land surrounded by a deciduous forest.

I decided on the Autumn scene, because I believe that the contrast will make the river and the bridge stand out from the surroundings.

Now, I have been painting the scene for three days and I'm not happy with it. I think I may have figured out the problem, but for the sake of this blog, I ask you:

"What is wrong with this painting?"