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In The Midday Heat
#alekow #desert #egypt #historical #nile #oriental #orientalist #pyramids #sand
Published: 2017-12-11 17:41:37 +0000 UTC; Views: 40366; Favourites: 1820; Downloads: 725
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Whew, this was a major push for me. I have always been fascinated by the orientalist painters and with this I attempted to do a painting in a similar vein. Hopefully I will do them justice =] It's also the first time I am incorporating people in a significant way, which definitely was way out of my comfort zone. But all the life drawing's gotta pay off somehow
As with the recent pieces, I did my prelimenary sketches on paper. If you want to see more from my sketchbook, find me on facebook: www.facebook.com/daniel.alekow
Also you can find my work on ArtStation: www.artstation.com/memod
Prints might follow soon!
Anyhow, I really hope you guys will like it, let me know what you think!
Daniel
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Comments: 105
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Phew, yes. This is a deserved Daly Deviation!
I really enjoy the composition of this picture and it gives off the feeling of a busy day at the river, where people are running away and towards the boats, carrying all sorts of items. The background with the pyramids and one being able to see so far into the distance gives a great impression of how big this desert is. I also have to compliment the colors! The boats and the surroundings have these nice natural but faint colors and the details of the palm trees in the back or the grass in the front are just incredible. I also like how the merchants are very colorful in comparison. They seem busy with their work and it really makes the picture come to life I feel.
However, there is one thing that really disturbed me: The name of the picture. It is called "In The Midday Heat". And while it is in a desert, it just does not give the impression of heat. I am very well aware of the fact that "Heat" does not necessarily have to mean temperature, but I feel the picture really lacks temperature. It is supposed to be a desert, in the Midday Heat but there is not even a sun in the picture. The shadows, while looking good, are just not clear enough to suggest the sun is burning on the skin of these people. The pale colors have a similar effect. Finally, one thing that just kind of annoys me: The water has these brown and green elements and they look really good but it just looks like the water is not even deep enough for the boats. Like they are sunken into the mud and are just stuck there forever.
Anyways, those are just my thoughts on this piece of art. Thanks for reading and hopefully caring!
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This is incredible. I personally love the 19th century orientalist paintings, and I recognised them in this immediately when I saw it. You've achieved digitally and brilliantly their use of colors, language of perspective and compositional tendencies, as well as capturing the feel of the desert and the country portrayed. The ships as the central piece are very well executed and constructed. The look of the edges are also reminiscent of some of the brushwork of those orientalist painters, which you have done splendorously. This is a very fine piece, accomplished by digital means no less in comparison. Great work, and do keep studying the works of the old masters!
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Thank you so much for these kind words! I've really tried to stay true to my inspiration and to capture their feel. I'm glad to hear it paid off! =]
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About the title... potentially interestingly, Lower Egypt is not especially thermally extreme. Here's a comparison of the climates of Cairo, Illinois, it's Egyptian namesake, and a proper hot desert location, Phoenix. Note that their summer temperatures largely overlap, and in fact due to the greater humidity of the Illinoisan town its apparent summer temperatures are almost equivalent. A similar relationship exists between Memphis, Tennessee and the modern-day city built closest to its namesake, with the Tennesseean city having a higherΒ summer apparent temperature. These unexpectedly mild summer temperatures are due largely to the influence of the mediterraneanβfurther south , these influences decrease and summers are hotter with lower variation throughout the day. However, even in the hottest regions of Egypt, there are areas of Africa and North America with substantially hotter summers .Β
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This is one of those pictures you want to look at for hours and find every little detail! I could imagine that someday you'll do a similar one with even more details! Great work!
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Thank you so much for that sweet comment! 
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Thanks, man! I'm glad you like it!
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I adore this one, as it oozes with the desert heat and breeze from water. It has a very classical feel to that, something very Pre-Raphaelite. I hope I made any sense with my comment
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I'm really glad that feeling comes across, thank you! =] I definitely wanted to communicate the feeling of warmth in that area and a sense of everyday life and labor
Thank you
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What the f- this is amazing. You could make a killing teaching these kind of stuff
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Haha, I'm not sure anyone makes a killing teaching anything, really, but I'm really glad you like it, thank you =]
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I can't honestly say. I made the first sketches for this about two years ago and inbetween I often had several month long breaks from it, redid large parts of it, changed the concept...
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Its a good picture. I do some images myself but cant get this level of realism.
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Hmm but if realism is what you want, then you should really study the fundamentals. There isn't really a secret shortcut or anything, it's just a lot of study and exercise. Understanding things like form, shape, light, shadow, perspective, composition and values are crucial if you want to move in a more realistic direction
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Daniel, you continue to surprise me with your talents! They seem endless and I am so happy that I have been able to watch you improve so much over the years!
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That's a very sweet compliment, Nyssa, thank you so much! 
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Of course...for like...large parts of history?
Here's a quick link, if you want to know more: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_β¦
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Very beautiful. Print it on canvas and sign the back, and I'll buy it.
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Thank you, Michael! If you are really interested in a signed canvas print, we can maybe arrange something.
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Thanks a bunch, Aaron! =]
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Interesting scene. The background works well and ship designs... A-plus!
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Thank you so much! =] I'm glad it all comes together well.
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