Red - SPN_cinema art for Hero

[amberdreams]

Here's the first of my spn_cinema fills. I'm not that thrilled with it but...

Title: Red
Author or Artist: Me
Movie Prompt: Hero
Pairing: J2
Rating: PG
Word Count or Media: Traditional art - Pastels
Summary: The colour is red.
Notes: This didn't go well. Me and traditional media have a rocky relationship. The film uses colour beautifully as it tells the same story of love and betrayal from different points of view. There's a fantastic scene where the two women protagonists are dresses in shades of red and fight each other while golden leaves fall - that's what I was trying to capture.

This is the final version, which is a combination of two traditional art pieces mashed up in Photoshop. The colours were enhanced by duplicating layers and using hard light on the top one.

If I was handier with PS I'd have used some sort of brush that would have mimicked the pastels texture. Sadly, I'm not that clever. LOL

The reason I had to combine two different pics is this.
Here's the pastel drawing which I did after sketching out the concept. This is pretty much the actual colours too.

And here's the large concept sketch - Jared didn't turn out well on that one but I did like Jensen's face. Why the hell i couldn't get the angle or anything right second time I don't know. *sigh*

As you can see, in the sketch, which is more what I was looking for, Jensen's face is tilted down, and works so much better than the pastels. In the pastels he just looks grumpy whereas in the pencil one he looks more pensive. I did rework the pastel drawing after quickreaver gave me some tips (notably the backlighting glow, thanks, petal, that did work well!), but Jensen still looked wooden and the eyes weren't right. So that's when I gave up on traditional and took to digital.

Any how, it's turned out better than I'd feared, though I admit I did have a moment this afternoon when I came to post and thought an old version was all I had. Ack, that almost made me cry. LOL What an idjit.

Comments

[goss]

I really love the windswept movement in this piece - I feel like I can hear the rustling of the leaves looking at this. And the fiery colours and textures! Very evocative. :D

[emmatheslayer.livejournal.com]

Very awesome work

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thanks me dear!

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

I think this is beautiful, and it's interesting to see the different version and how they've changed as the process developed. I adore the vibrancy and warmth of the colours, and those lovely highlights. This is stunning work, it truly is, and you be proud, it's clear that you've put a lot of work into it. Take care :)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Ah thank you, you are very kind.

[dancing-adrift.livejournal.com]

Amber! This turned out so great. Gorgeous! The amount of work you did to change Jensen's face for the final piece alone is stunning. Way to go you! And that backlight glow is really cool. You definitely did a wonderful job with the color. Beautiful work!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I feel it's a failure because I had to alter him digitally but hey, it looks reasonably ok so I don't know why I'm worrying LOL
Thanks!

[anactoria.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that's beautiful -- really fiery and dramatic. You can feel the tension looking at it -- it's really got that sense of the moment before the fight kicks off. (And you've just reminded me of how much I love that film.)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Aw thanks! I love that film too - it's visually stunning, clever and has a story worth following too.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Oh! I completely forgot the SPN_Cinema has also begun! I love that you gave us a peek into your process and I LOVE the piece that you ended up with. The colours are fierce and that backglow looks awesome on both our guys! Also kudos for Jensen's hair and the look of that fabric on Jared.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I think some others may have forgotten too - cassiopeia was supposed to post yesterday and didn't...

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

This is beautiful, the colours are stunning and I love how the background glows. Jensen's eyes, eyelashes and lips are lovely, and he has long hair again, woo hoo! Jared with the stick looks very fierce and his hair catching the light is glorious.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I do like giving them long hair! Thanks petal, I'm glad people are liking this. It seems I angsted for no reason, LOL!

[cybel]

Lovely work! Their expressions say so much!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Aw thanks bunches!

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

the color is AMAZING. it makes me want to see the movie!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, do watch it! It's visually stunning.

[twoboys2love.livejournal.com]

beautiful

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!

[amypond45.livejournal.com]

This is really gorgeous work! I love the warm, vibrant colors and Jensen’s hair! Also the obvious tension in the scene. I think I may need to watch this film - how can I call myself a cinemaphile and not have even heard of it? Argh! So many films! So little time!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oh it's well worth watching! It's visually stunning as well as a clever story.

[hugemind.livejournal.com]

Wow, the colors look absolutely amazing and the boys' poses have this quiet intensity. I love the sneak peek at your arting process. Also, Jensen's freckles! <3

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I confess, i nearly forgot the freckles! Unforgivable, right? LOL

[sillie]

This is gorgeous bb. Thanks for the look behind the scenes, I always love that.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Behind the scenes stuff is fascinating, isn't it?! Thanks!

[brokenhighways.livejournal.com]

Very nice!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

Oh my goddess, I love this! It's SO beautiful. The redness of their Gi's coupled with the bronze and gold in the background/trees/light is just so well done. It mixes perfectly.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thankee! I'm feeling better about it now :D