HOME | DD
ClintCearley — Lords of Knowledge
Published: 2007-09-17 00:35:49 +0000 UTC; Views: 51509; Favourites: 1646; Downloads: 2035
Redirect to original
Description
This is the second piece in my "Lords of.." series. Each piece is about a single character who is mythic/fantasy inspired. The design for this character (Neo Madonna) had been lying around a long time but I never did anything with it until I started this series and the two ideas came together nicely. I wanted to blend some of the elements of the classic Madonna paintings into the piece by keeping it realistic and symmetrical (among others). I painted it in Photoshop off and on over the past couple of weeks.Thanks to bobbistock here on deviantart for the photo that sparked the idea for the pose and face. [link]
Related content
Comments: 76
This is visually lovely, but I gotta admit I can't figure a Madonna in makeup and low-cut bodice, unless you're going for one of those Antichrist-type Whore Madonnas. But that seems unlikely, since you're highly skilled and I'd expect you to make something like that less ambiguous.
So I guess I'm missing something here, whether this is, in effect, intended as the Madonna portrayed as a modern girl for some reason, or a modern girl portrayed as the Madonna for some reason.
And if we're supposed to see some particular meaning in her casting a shadow on the halo (something normally MADE of light), or the book dissolving in her hands, I'm still getting mixed signals rather than a pattern.
I don't happen to be Catholic, or even Christian; I'm an atheist (="without god/s", as opposed to an ANTI-theist, "against god/s"). But people using live religions' imagery inappropriately without good reason seems kinda rude to me.
So what am I missing here?
--Nonie
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
Knowledge, intelligence and education hold an almost religious place in society. In a world of magic I could imagine that knowledge itself could become deified and the pursuit of it a religion unto itself. So here we have an acolyte reading from an incantus.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Her expression is fantastic, I think you perfectly captured the way one can be so intent on focusing on a book. Plus the implications of the book giving off this sort of stardust... like all the knowledge in the world is being disseminated from this book to be reconstituted elsewhere. Beautiful work.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Words can't do it justice. It's intriguing on so many levels - the colours, the light, the way she looks like an icon of a saint... Thanks for sharing!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Actually I really don't like digital ones....but..this one is amazed me...
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you for letting us feature your Amazing work!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I was raised Roman Catholic, so this image immediately conjured up both a familiarity and an exotic feeling. Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for posting.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
There is something absolutely captivating about the gold around her face. Great job.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I really like the...glowy-ness...of the book (for lack of a word). And I can never get lips right on people myself, so I can't help but be awed by how well you did the lips. c:
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Beautiful painting and i like the fact you took a classic and did a new version. The idea of the book is brilliant !
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Shows a great combination of Photo & digital. The gold tones and veil bring out the character even more the glitter coming of the book of knowledge is brilliant. But the cover girl eye shadow does not fit with this piece two different centuries for that paint her nails also. But other than that im @ awe with this rendering. kisses muah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I believe you are under the false impression that some part of this is a photo or photo manipulation. It is entirely hand-painted. Uh yeah, if this was a classic Madonna the eye shadow wouldn't fit but the idea was to update that very subject. Instead of the woman holding the infant savior she holds a book a knowledge which has taken on a nigh-religious aspect in our age. I am glad you like the piece, Cheers
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
WELL IT GOES TO SHOW YOU HOW GOOD YOU ARE KUDOOS FOR FOOLING ME I REALLY TOUGHT IT WAS A PIC. DAMN YOUR GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
the feeling of light in this is tremendous; Bravo!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I love to graphic contrast between the stark black of the cowl and the painterly nature of the skin!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
it's really strong work! the colors are so smooth!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Very nice, but the suit is a little non-convincingly set on your woman's frame. Each subject appears to be from different pictures(picture planes) entirely.
I like the the seeming art Nouveau influence!! It is all interesting to say the least (but in greatest respect!).
Kudos!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
oh i just love your work i hope i can get to your level of ability one day i am constantly in aw of your brilliance
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Wonderful work! Especially the extremely detailed background and the FX!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Wonderful! I like the brightness and the contrast around her face.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Absolutely gorgeous. I love the detailing on the halo and the stonework, and the contrast they make with the organic, spiky tree branches.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Super duper impressive! (Yeah, I just said that, lol.)
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
not excactly the most original idea/theme - but definetly pretty amazing picture.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
woah.. I thought this was a photo... 0_____0
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
| Next =>