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snowunmasked — A Slow Drift
by-nc-nd
Published: 2010-07-26 16:52:04 +0000 UTC; Views: 22552; Favourites: 1303; Downloads: 230
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Description
18x24" Arches hot press paper
Water-soluble crayons, watercolours, ink
• Click to view earlier version from October 2008
• Work-in-progress shots
• Close-up I ; Close-up II
• Started 7th June ; Completed 25th July ; Approximately 110 hours
Thank you `zerocomplex , ^sphilr , *lolitaAgogo , `wroth and `athenatt for taking interest in the work-in-progresses
This redux was interesting in many different ways. Every piece comes with its challenges, and this time it was achieving chiaroscuro with watercolours, and trying my hand at multifaceted hair. Also, this was the first time I've worked on a watercolour piece over such a long stretch of time, owing to inflammation and stiffness occurring in my painting arm. This was problematic because I'm not accustomed to resting when I work, so the momentum was broken just a bit at first, which was then turned around to be something quite useful, as the longer pauses lend fresh eyes and a wider perspective.
It feels really, really, really big and tall in person. Just so you know.
I wish very much to develop an "aftermath" to this piece. It'll come to me one of these days.
Thank you very much for stopping by
. . : : katherine-cheng.com : : . .
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Comments: 777
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No problem, you sure have talent there.
I have done art all my life and can't come as close as your skill lol
Kinda need to take up painting again since lol i missed it
thanks for the donation ^_^, would ya like me to make a graphic for ya as a gift?
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I have been painting and drawing since I could hold a crayon 
And no, it was my pleasure, thank you all the same
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This is a very beautiful work! Balanced and beautiful colors are very sensitive and create magical atmosphere. The first impressions of the image will that it is quiet and almost idyllic, but at the same time can easily be considerably below the surface of the emotional storm. This is a very powerful energetic charge that will discharge in eyes of viewers and blow they mind! Young woman float in space of time that is described in deep seas. He slowly descends to the bottom and is powerless to it. Surely time always runs and we can’t not do nothing about it. Destiny is already decided on our behalf. Or whether at the end it is so, and nothing you can change. He is a fighter and not easily gives up of love, although at times it makes it very sore! There is always hope, and rescue, it will give the forces to live. This hope of rebirth nicely described in a beautiful pigeon. Which is described ascending from the water just as the phoenix rises from the fire. I think it is a beautiful assimilation! The sun's light is life, joy, love with every one of us tried and hoped to receive it, even for a moment in life.
Composition is a beautiful and functional. Image is divided into two parts just like two of the world, which combines with beautiful details. It is interesting and beautiful to see how different watercolor technicians combined in this picture. On the other hand part of the image has been made very carefully down to small details, and at the same time the other part is very spontaneous, such as parts of the sky. Including use of salt is added mystery to this work and creates a feeling of space.
Simply, this is awesome work Katie! Fine watercolor and a real masterpiece! Bravo!
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Thank you Mikko, your words mean so much to me 
I didn't use salt in this as I've learned that it doesn't react with hot press as it does with cold press. All the blotches in the sky and water were created by spraying water from a bottle
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It is my pleasure Katie!
Oh spraying water from a bottle i didnt think about that! its interesting to know!
Thank you so much for accepting my humble analysis!
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You write beautifully
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Katie thanks for encouragement!
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It's quite amazing how differently you paint now. It's more than a progression, it feels like we've seen you literally grow up. You're more confident, more patient (even if it's enforced e.deviantart.net/emoticons/w/w… " width="15" height="15" alt="
The bird and the figure are obviously vastly improved but what strikes me is the bold pattern in the water (traditional Chinese or Japanese pattern I think?) and the smooth, incredibly saturated blue in the bottom. The gradient in the blue is so smooth, even though it's blotchy and splodgy, it's not streaked or patchy.
I'm not as enamoured by the top half, if I'm honest, but I do have a natural aversion to purple so I would dismiss that as bias. I do enjoy the lovely splodges in the sky but I think if the reeds had been stronger and more geometric (rather than brush strokes) they may have continued that bold pattern from the bottom half. I think I'd have liked the dark blue to continue that 'vignette' around the edges too but I'm not quite sure if I want that, or less of the vignette in the sky. I'm torn.
Whatever I'm nit picking about, it's a stunning piece Katie and well worth some arm pain e.deviantart.net/emoticons/w/w… " width="15" height="15" alt="
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ahh i accidentally clicked "unfair". in truth i thought it was a great critique. and a gorgeous piece, as well!
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Aww thanks
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Thank you so much dear
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YES. YES YES.
I enjoy layering mounts. And mounting layers 
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Actually Keith changed his mind and thought white on white with a WHITE frame would be even better. As there are so many colours in there already it could get confusing, and what with the shadows CAST from the double matting, the result could be subtly more amazing.
I love, love, love mounting and framing my works. They feel so much more... complete.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Aye with watercolour it's an exciting step. With canvases you don't get to mount stuff :< Just frame. It's less exciting.
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Keith is going to show me how to MAKE MY OWN CANVAS, and to DRY MOUNT. Which sounds very scary and exciting.
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It sounds very scary!
I need some unprimed canvas. I have to buy a roll though so it's going to cost a bit!
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I want to paint with cat's paw prints. Still.
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My cats would have killed me before I put paint near them. Bloody primadonnas.
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Perry had purple oil paint all over his thigh one time. Took forever to come of.
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And I bet it got EVERYWHERE.
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Actually no 
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It's amazing how far you have come from October 2008 till now. You always amaze me with your new and almost perfect style. You can so much interpret into this image that it is very hard to find a beginning.
I like the elements you're using in this particular piece of art.
Water: signifies the spiritual things of faith and the woman is like a baby in a final state to be reborn. Her hand what embraces the body shows that she is in peace with herself.
Sun: The sun is energizing and invigorating to all life.
Pigeon: Pigeons represent a new beginning, a message from the unconsciousness, a expressing or desire to return home.
I like the gracefully movement of the hair and how it gets transformed into reed. The use of colours are just stunning and full of harmony. Another excellent image if not the best so far from one of my favorite artists !!
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Thank you Jurgen, you always know how to encourage me
Wish you could see this in person. It's so much cooler.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I wish that too ... next time I want to see your step by step work too ... I think you're getting better and better and finally you reached the stage of your master work ... Don't change anymore to much because this is what you are and what you became through the learning process of time ... I now can finally add you to the favorite masters of mine like DaVinci, Dali, Royo and Jarling
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'd be happy to share WIPs with you
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Very good ... the next work I want to see some WIPs so I can tell you what I like or don't
Anyway .. your improvement reflects your skills and you're now on the zenit of your work even if there are still some minor things you might learn but every artist even they great masters still learn. I like your style ... it's something you don't see at all only if you visit Katie Franke at dA
I might even buy your latest image as print because I love it ... it's the best so far and you can tell you took your time to finish it
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I have to mat and frame this piece for it to be truly finished. There's just so much colour going on that it really needs something to tie it all in. I will never get over how awful my paintings look on the screen, compared to how they are in person
Well I hope you enjoy the print if you do get it
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Well let me know when you finished matting that piece
I sure will buy it in the largest size because I wanna enjoy it as image ... I don't wanna use a magnifying glass to look at it
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Ethereal might be a short word to describe the beautiness of this marvelous artwork.
The girl´s pose emanates a lot of peace, and the way the pose is drawn is abit unique, because the artist did it in an unusual perspective. Also, the hands catch the attention. One is embracing the body, and the other one shows the girl´s reluctancy towards Peace - symbolized by the pigeon-
The elements are beautifuly balanced, and I liked the contrast between the blue and the violet.
And the semicirles in the background...I am crazy for them e.deviantart.net/emoticons/h/h… " width="15" height="13" alt="
This is definitely, one of the best artworks from one of my favourite artists.
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Thank you my dear
Very happy you like this piece!
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The hands are very interesting, because you can tell how you feel throigh them. One is completely relaxed, but the other one reflects the insecurity.
And I loved your piece, everytime you are showing lots of progress over something you are already a master.
Your art is a pleasure for my eyes
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I still have lots to learn
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Life is a constant lesson and I like how it is reflected in your artworks
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Serenity. That was the first word that came to my mind when I laid eyes on this piece. Every part of this image just makes you feel as if your are floating alongside of the female character within the image. It really gives a strong and almost inspirational feeling when you lay eyes upon the piece.
To begin with, the detail here in in full effect. Every part of the woman and the bird flying through carries a strong sense of atomic correctness. The subtle and gentle curves of the woman's body entices both the eye and the imagination; her hair flowing in a stilled breeze that you can just see moving her hair gracefully through this unknown plane of existence.
The colors used in this pieces are also a major engaging piece. As I mentioned earlier, this piece really makes you feel calm and serene, as if all of your inhibitions and problems melt away. The dove flying in the background further ads to the feeling of inner peace and solidifies the strength of the overall composition.
Let's not forget the though provoking effects that the piece hold within itself. The bird fluttering over the floating woman could symbolize that the woman is finally at a state of inner peace after and the bird could represent the release of her spirit from its mortal grips and finally allowing itself to move free without restraint both artistically and metaphorically.
I can really tell that ^snowmask really took her time on this pieces and the quality that she is known for really shows here. The stunning color pallet and beautiful design really call out to all who view. Another excellent work, Katie. e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s… " width="26" height="18" alt="
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Thank you. I'm glad they actually mean something.
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And now my day is complete.
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That really means a lot.
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