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More from *MelissaFindley

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August 1, 2008
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:iconmelissafindley:
My entry for Pixelbrush.net's "Classically Revived" contest (currently going on--you've got till August 25th to get your entries in!)

The challenge: take a painting by one of the Old Masters (they had to have died more than 80 years ago), and reinterpret it with a twist. I chose The Pelt Merchant of Cairo" by Jean-Léon Gérôme and decided to transform him into a genie (or d'jinni?) and bring the tiger back to life. I kept the color scheme and centralized composition, as well as the face and turban of the merchant. Other elements of the original were reinterpreted: the buildings became caves, the helmet became the lamp and so on.

I used very few references for this one (a few photos of tigers who were in anything BUT the right position, frustratingly), and a couple of small texture overlays for the carpet and the pillow and some of the front coins. Otherwise I'd have to say this is one of my most painstakingly painted pieces to date, and one that I'm really proud of, whether it wins or not.

You can see the WIP from beginning sketch to final piece (and I'll be uploading some detail shots as well), here: [link]

(actually, considering my recent poll I've had a lot of requests for more fairy tale inspired half naked guys... does he qualify?)
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:iconbrunomarsaddict:
That is briljant! Really! awesome job!
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:iconzak05:
=Zak05 Dec 15, 2011  Hobbyist Digital Artist
Very beautiful job!!
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:iconchotabear:
What a beautiful rich piece of artwork, just fabulous !!!
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:iconcelticwren:
Mood: Love ~celticwren Jul 1, 2011  Professional General Artist
Augh! I got my comment all typed and then lost it because I was on the wrong browser and not logged in there!

Anyways, I read your interview on EMG-Zine, and saw this art, and I love it! The colors are wonderful, very buttery ( Cris was right!) and rather oil-like. I wish you could draw line art of it for Ellen Million's Arabian Nights Coloring book. I feel bad that I have been having a lot of trouble getting myself to do that theme ( the steam punk one I had no trouble with!) . :(

maybe you can help Portrait Adoption get the ratio of men to women evened out? :) I was trying, but the odds were stacked against me! (And, sorry, I have done the thing that is your pet peeve!)
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:iconmitia-arcturus:
Dear Mercuralis
This Wonderful art work ... it's direct in...Action-Portraits
If you don't mind...:heart:...!!!
"This is an invitation to Joint... Just in case if you are not in already ...!!!"
best regards.....................You're most welcome in Action-Portraits...!!! :iconaction-portraits:
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:iconwinged-isis:
~Winged-Isis Oct 2, 2010  Hobbyist
*** I love this one! Fantastic!! ***
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:iconcatgirlhawaii:
very cool, love the tiger!
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:iconmoonelfcat:
this is to die for beautiful.
I love the tiger.
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:iconmagpie-poet:
Very cool, and I especially like the whole bringing the iger back to life touch :D
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:iconladyarah:
~ladyarah Oct 20, 2009  Hobbyist General Artist
Awesome job! I just wanted to let you know that I featured this in "Realms of Fantasy and Myth: Week 19 - Djinn", you can find it here: [link]
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