HOME | DD

Merlin111 β€” The Journey Begins

Published: 2010-04-04 23:39:11 +0000 UTC; Views: 1864; Favourites: 32; Downloads: 19
Redirect to original
Description The Journey Begins

Oil on stretched canvas - 39 Β½ x 31 Β½ inches or 100 x 80 cm.

This is a gift to myself. After 6 years I have finally achieved one of my goals in life, Shodan or First degree black belt in Karate.

Photo reference is the excellent stock image from mjranum-stock [link] . I have used his superb stock previously [link] , [link] and [link] .
Related content
Comments: 42

philippeL [2010-07-22 09:51:01 +0000 UTC]

Very nice and dark atmosphere

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to philippeL [2010-07-22 10:28:22 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

soxrule [2010-05-09 10:28:55 +0000 UTC]

amazing work!!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to soxrule [2010-05-09 10:54:53 +0000 UTC]

Thank you and for the as well.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

soxrule In reply to Merlin111 [2010-05-09 10:57:52 +0000 UTC]

you're welcome,amazing painting!!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

JannaFairyArt [2010-04-21 14:50:39 +0000 UTC]

Very beautiful painting! Love how you created the atmosphere with strong red and black also the contarst of light and dark. the woman is very beautiful, love her confident expression. you did fanatstic job

Congratulations on the black belt too!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to JannaFairyArt [2010-04-29 20:49:35 +0000 UTC]

Thnak you so much Janna

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Nevluk [2010-04-18 21:18:02 +0000 UTC]

Black belt in Karate! ThatΒ΄s cool! I take my hat off to you.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to Nevluk [2010-04-19 11:19:04 +0000 UTC]

Thank you Eva and for the favs especially this one in your Anam Cara folder. Honoured.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Nevluk In reply to Merlin111 [2010-04-23 21:30:33 +0000 UTC]

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Pluto52 [2010-04-16 10:20:23 +0000 UTC]

This work is wonderful, congratulations my dear friend ...

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to Pluto52 [2010-04-17 04:03:13 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Pluto52 In reply to Merlin111 [2010-04-17 13:06:37 +0000 UTC]

No problem...

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

ARTVUK [2010-04-16 07:28:32 +0000 UTC]

Interestingly, I like it! Go ahead!

I hope you visit my gallery again!!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to ARTVUK [2010-04-16 07:48:39 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, I am glad you like it.
Your gallery is amazing and you have a beautiful cat.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

ARTVUK In reply to Merlin111 [2010-04-16 08:02:14 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

DameOdessaStock [2010-04-09 16:48:18 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful art!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to DameOdessaStock [2010-04-09 17:23:02 +0000 UTC]

Thank you and for the as well.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

lisisi [2010-04-07 16:57:03 +0000 UTC]

Flagged as Spam

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to lisisi [2010-04-08 09:04:35 +0000 UTC]

Thank you Lisa and for the

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

svet-svet [2010-04-07 13:57:03 +0000 UTC]

It is an awesome picture, Allen!
Congratulations!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to svet-svet [2010-04-08 09:10:56 +0000 UTC]

Thank you Lana.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

svet-svet In reply to Merlin111 [2010-04-08 09:32:58 +0000 UTC]

Very welcome

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

bumimanusiastock [2010-04-05 19:41:38 +0000 UTC]

wow is perfectly awesome, that red color makes it great and strong...

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to bumimanusiastock [2010-04-06 10:32:44 +0000 UTC]

Thank you Julia, that is exactly why I used red. And thanks for the as well. .

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Veiz [2010-04-05 13:53:02 +0000 UTC]

Congrat's on the black belt, allen!
And this is a really beautiful painting indeed! I like specially how you managed to reflect the candlelight in her skin. And I love swords! They always make great props in a drawing, painting ore a photo!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to Veiz [2010-04-06 10:36:34 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Brian, one thing I like about your work is your generous use of weapons (swords and bows). I don't use them as much as I would like.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

illusorya [2010-04-05 12:38:02 +0000 UTC]

So dangerous and beautiful....
I really love the effect of light of candles... You make a wonderful work!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to illusorya [2010-04-06 10:27:44 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much. And for the as well.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

sombrefeline [2010-04-05 09:23:37 +0000 UTC]

very nice, I love the lighting effect and colors

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to sombrefeline [2010-04-05 09:49:13 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

floriaiglenoir [2010-04-05 09:04:31 +0000 UTC]

...brilliant work,my dearest Allen!
what a fantastic,fine artwork you achieved here,again.. brilliant atmosphere with the candles around,stunning shadows and lightening.The way you succeeded the texture of the kimono is amazing,wonderful all the swords and details.Graceful,beautiful and touch of sensuality in this masterpiece!
Congratulations,for your talent,my sweet friend,and congratulations for your"black belt"as well, I know ,how important this is for you...

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to floriaiglenoir [2010-04-05 09:16:11 +0000 UTC]

Thank you dear Flori, hard work pays off. One item from my wishing board accomplished LOL.

It’s a shame I can’t photograph the painting properly and get the colours and tones right. It always loses a bit. The Autumn light is not as good as summer for taking photos.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

floriaiglenoir In reply to Merlin111 [2010-04-05 21:23:28 +0000 UTC]

...you are more than welcome,my dearest Allen It is great to see that you are so creative,and accomplish your dreams,one by one...
About the photography of thepainting,I know,that it is sometimes hard to get the right lightening,especially on oilpaintings.But you can retry later,and update it.You could also try to use 'Photofiltre"or "Microsoft Office Picture manager",and arrange the quality of the photo.I only recently discovered,that I had this programm on my PC,and..how to use it...
But,I think,the quality of this one is actually not so bad,frankly!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to floriaiglenoir [2010-04-06 10:49:23 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Flori and for the .

I have a copy of Photoshop which I might try out. I use Paintshop to try to restore the colours correctly but I seem to never get it right. I have been thinking of sometime next year buying an indoor art camera and light source. Maybe next year.

PS yesterday I got an email from you which my virus software picked you as a potential malware. Did you send it?, I am not sure if I should open it. Occasionally my antivirus program identifies innocent emails as suspect which an be quite annoying at times.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

floriaiglenoir In reply to Merlin111 [2010-04-08 16:22:17 +0000 UTC]

...Yes I sent you one 2 or 3 days ago with attachment of "stunning artist"or something like that,and easterwishes it was something really amazing to look at,so if se are talking about the same mail,than open it without fear,my dear!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

frenchfox [2010-04-05 07:09:10 +0000 UTC]

Gorgeous work , Merlin , superbly expressive !

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to frenchfox [2010-04-05 08:21:33 +0000 UTC]

Thank you Renard and for the

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Laurasshadesofgrey [2010-04-05 01:25:51 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful work AllenI enjoy the thought of what her journey may be...

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to Laurasshadesofgrey [2010-04-05 02:09:33 +0000 UTC]

Thank you Laura and for the

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Laurasshadesofgrey In reply to Merlin111 [2010-04-06 01:05:19 +0000 UTC]

Youre very welcome friend

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

j0rosa [2010-04-05 00:21:41 +0000 UTC]

well poised, very well done, Allen

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Merlin111 In reply to j0rosa [2010-04-05 01:11:44 +0000 UTC]

Thank you Jasmin and for the as well. Always appreciated

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0