Burning Bright

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: www.pixelbrush.net/forum/viewt…

(actually, considering my recent poll I've had a lot of requests for more fairy tale inspired half naked guys... does he qualify?)