100 Monthly: Traditional Art

Jan 30, 200723 min read

Deviation Actions

Published: Jan 30, 2007

2.5K Views

_{Traditional Art

There's not much I can say about Traditional Art other than it is one of my favourites. So I'll just let the art speak for itself, considering NightIce and the artists had lengthy things to say.
votrereine

Commentary by: NightIce

1. Cold by Syntheta-NZ

This particular piece is quite expertly drawn; with not much more than a pair of eyes, face and a single hand, it manages to instil a dramatic, profound sense of the unknown, almost having a forbidding quality, into the viewer. The two components of this picture which jump out at me the most are the eyes and the metallic ring, both of which are impressively rendered with almost photographic precision, adding to the depth and realism of the piece. That said, the pencil work and shading on the whole is very skillfully done, and the black clothing surrounding the subject’s head creates a contrast which suits the picture nicely. A masterful drawing if I ever saw one.

Artist Quote: This was the first time I used pen in a drawing because someone gave me a expensive pen and it occurred to me it would be perfect for doing the liquid eyeliner of the eyes and other bits as it was quite a contrasty ref photo. I try to find photos that both affect me (have an emotion I can relate with) and are appealing visually, then draw them sometimes making a few changes to personalise the image.

2. Doctor Who - David Tennant by jennicat5
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Having never watched any series of Doctor Who, I cannot relate to this artist’s particular brand of enthusiasm concerning the show – what I can relate to, however, is their evident love of pencil work. I always gain respect for a traditional artist when at first glance I mistake their works for a photograph; this artist, I find, is no exception. Upon closer inspection it is evident that the picture is indeed of traditional origin, yet when scrutinized it seems to acquire a semi-realistic quality which compliments the subject quite nicely. Something I always find difficult to depict in pencil (indeed, in any medium) is hair, and I congratulate this artist on rendering it without fault. That said, the entire piece seems to be rather without fault – a worthy feature.

Artist Quote: I like to find people who stand out to me, or who are interesting to me in some way and capture that person and their personality on paper - This photo already did that for David so I attempted to replicate the same feeling.

3. Everything Ties Together pt 1 by bandaid825

This is one of few pieces I have come across which has managed to leave an impression on me utilizing barely more than two evident colours – I must say, your yellow pencils must have taken quite a beating in the creation of this piece. While not so much straying into the realistic aspect of art, this particular drawing does manage to convey the sense and emotion of a stalker on the hunt, both in the rendering and pose of the animal, as well as the setting; a scenario with long, high grass containing a hungry predator is bound to unfold into something interesting. It confounds me how one can work on such a large surface and depict something so accurately; yet, this artist seems to have pulled it off. A very well-drawn piece.

Artist Quote: In the animal world, all animals have to coexist and also compete to live. I decided I wanted to concentrate on Savannah animals in their natural environments, doing what they do to survive, such as this cheetah, hunting his food.

4. Syksy by Nizwe

It is interesting that this artist has combined the rough style of crosshatch shading with a soft, mood-lighting background; it’s a nice effect, the contrast it creates. The piece is somewhat simplistically drawn, yet this seems to compliment it, rather than detract from it. Given the piece’s description, it seems to be a representation of the artist’s feelings and emotions at that time – so while attention to detail is not paramount in this picture, it still manages to convey what the artist had in mind. The more I look at this piece, the more I seem to like it; perhaps that is the quality for which it was featured. Nonetheless, this picture was worthy of comment.

Artist Quote: No comment

5. V - Flowers: Esidia by Abinition
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I love tribal design work and pretty flowered women, and I love this artist for combining the two. The tattoo design looks akin to the work of the ancient Mayans, as well. Looking at the picture, it strikes me that this would usually be the kind of work displayed in colour, given the opportunity to dazzle the onlooker with a metaphorical rainbow with all the flowers depicted. However, the fact that it is in grayscale is a nice detour from many artworks – it seems as though it is something of a dying breed of art these days. The way the flowers and the tattoo-design flow around her and through her hair makes them seem almost part of her; thus, an abstract and surreal quality which is quite interesting to look at. Also, the simple fact that the woman in this picture is indeed beautiful is another thing to note – often, it is difficult to capture such things as attractive people in an artwork. A commendable piece.

Artist Quote: Well, the idea came to me from a poster in a doctor's office, actually. This woman, advertised in the skin-care poster, had this same look on her face. I just added flowers and other things to it.
Whoever she was, she's a good model.

6. The composition 4 by NazimMehmet

I like this painting; it reminds me of something out of a fantasy world, a genre of fiction I am most fond of. Two things I note out of this picture at first are the folds of the dress, and the reflective detail of the water. The dress’s folds are very well painted, and the water is impeccably represented; the reflective detail impresses me. The low lighting and the subject’s quiet, reserved pose adds a sense of quiet drama to the scene. The sundial on the ground obviously marks the passage of time; she is waiting for something, or someone. A small bit of suspense, there. I am not a painter by nature, but this painting appeals to me nonetheless.

Artist Quote: No comment.

7. Mr Wonka in Chinese Style by baroquegothik

Interesting – a western character depicted in not the popular Japanese anime style, but with a Chinese twist instead. The myriad of colours, at first, seem to assault the eyes of the viewer, but after getting over the initial colour shock become quite fascinating to look at, lending a fictional dream-like quality to the picture. Another thing I notice is the intricate designs on the cogs behind Mr. Wonka, on his rather high-backed seat, (making our master of his Oriental chocolate factory look almost regal) and also decorating his clothing in places – personally, I would have died if I had attempted to do those. My compliments to the artist, as it were. A vibrant and visually pleasing piece.

Artist Quote: To begin with, I drew myself one of my most fave characters of all time, Mr Willy Wonka! And it's Mr Willy Wonka in Chinese style. Rather in some traditional BG and costume, I've designed a more 'modern' outfit which suits him best. I played with the colors too rather than the typical Chinese RED-GOLD-BLACK look. personally. I love the uniqueness of Chinese style(especially the magnificent DRAGON!). So I was thinking of combining these two different aspects which I love most, together, in this artwork of mine...so here he is...the amazing chocolatier, Willy Wonka in blackgothique's style. Enjoy!

8. Tortoise by carriephlyons
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How wonderful – another grayscale piece. This time of a tortoise; however, they always have an innate knack for looking rather grumpy, no? The grades of pencil and surface the picture is drawn on seems to give the picture a sort of ‘sketchbook’ feel – while not appearing overly realistic, it appeals to the viewer as a skillful drawing nonetheless. The detailed scales in particular I commend the artist on; small things like scales, feathers and recurring patterns I often long to throw out the window upon being unable to depict them. But, thankfully this artist’s piece has not met the same fate, so we can view this wonderful detailed work of a (somewhat grumpy-lookin’) tortoise.

Artist Quote: In this piece, as in all of my work, I am trying to portray both the outer and *inner* beauty of the animal world.

9. Red Water by rasonjowe

‘Ooh’. That’s what first came out of my mouth upon seeing this piece. Another of the few pieces which have managed to capture my attention with very minimal colour use, the linework in this piece reminds me of the Japanese Manga style – the red-leafed tree portrays the idea of a sakura (rose-blossom) tree, something also of the Japanese world. The bushes on either side of the painting are somewhat blurry, indistinct. That, combined with the vague pinkish hue reminds me of a sepia tone, giving the picture that sense of nostalgia, dreaming or memory. A calm, serene scene also helps portray this. It only has one colour, really – yet it works beautifully.

Artist Quote: This was the first jump into color for me as an artist; I haven't looked back.

10. mother and child by visionality

Regardless of the fact that this artist seems to be in the middle of a transition between graphite and coloured media, this piece is wonderful. The entire picture, due to the very soft quality of the shading, shares this same quality. I find this works extremely well with the subject matter, a mother and child; soft, loving emotions are most likely what are involved here. The shading itself is also very well executed; indeed, among some of the more skilled works of graphite art I have witnessed on DeviantART. With all these aspects combined, the end result is a very visually pleasing picture which is obviously quite worthy of feature.

Artist Quote: I was asked by a friend to draw his wife and child as a Christmas gift. The drawing is approx 14"x17" in size, graphite pencils (3H to 6B) on 300g cold pressed, 50% cotton fabriano paper.

11. the kiss by kiwi153
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By and large, this picture still retains the quality of a sketch – but it is not the quality, so much as the concept, that grabs me. A very interesting idea is portrayed within this piece; the musculature and human skeletal system shown as separate identities. I like this drawing, but I cannot say precisely why. It simply appeals to me (as I’m sure it does too many others) in an abstract and surrealistic way. The artist said in relation to the picture, “I’d like to redo this one day…” I’m sure many would be eager to see the enhanced reproduction of this picture; I know I would. Nevertheless, this idea is very worthy of a feature.

Artist Quote: It was more or less done as an anatomy study, but I added a bit of a twist... only the poor skeleton can't kiss back.

12. Ginger Biscuit the cat by deedeedee123

I like both graphite works and adorable animals – it’s perfect that this picture includes both. To me, the picture seems to be somewhat in limbo between that ‘final picture’ quality and a good sketch; what tips the scales in favour of the picture is the way the eyes and the face are drawn, giving the cat that cross between a cute expression and that common dumbfounded look which I’m sure appeals to many, as it does to me. Little critter has the whole ‘Love me, I’m a kitten!’ thing going, something which is doubtlessly entertaining, if nothing else. A pleasing and entertaining piece from a very talented artist.

Artist Quote: It’s about friendship. I wanted to show my friend I cared and she loves this photo of her cat so I did it as a gift.

13. Little Girl Tree by Marantha66
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This looks like a picture straight out of a published fairy-tale book, such is the quality. The wood of the branches and trunk particularly I like, drawn with realism in mind, an aspect which is quite evident in the final picture. The light bouncing off the woodwork from the candle is also a very nice touch. All the colours are very well represented, but I do wonder at the state of this artist’s blue pencil after the completion of this work… I do hope the poor thing is still alive. The girl herself fits the scene perfectly; reminds me of a world akin to Peter Pan, or some such. It is also interesting to note that the artist did include what looks like a form of comprehensible text on the book, rather than simply standard ‘fake-text’ scribble. Combine all of these commendable aspects together and we’re left with a wonderfully coloured picture fit for a feature.

Artist Quote: As it was a present (for my mom) I wanted to achieve something peaceful, colourful, happy and cute. This is not the drawing I prefer, but it really has a sentimental value.

14. Hesperid by purpleida
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I do wonder how this artist’s eyes feel after depicting so many leaves and intricate woodwork… Mine are already beginning to blur. But this is a very nice work of art; reminiscent of a logo of some sort or a design on a playing card, to me. Hence, simplicity (the simple fact that the tree is the lone subject of the picture; the composition of the tree is exquisitely intricate) has been utilized very effectively here, and even for the lack of background this piece is quite appealing. I do not know exactly where the idea for this piece sprung, but so long as it exists, I can see how it found its way into this feature, as I’m sure many others can.

Artist Quote: I guess you could say that I was simply in the mood for drawing trees. This one was all about detailing and lots of color.

15. Lima2 by GabrielleBrickey

Yet another piece which conveys drama and contrast with the simple depiction of a face; something I admire in the skills of an artist. What strikes me in this picture is the symmetry displayed; the woman’s face in this picture (in particular, the eyes) are very symmetrical, and as such create a sense of balance, enhancing the effect of the picture. The eye makeup and the stark green of the iris add contrast to an already dramatic piece, and the fade-to-black effect off the sides of the face do so as well. The lips, also, are highlighted with inward rivets very realistically. A beautifully dramatic piece.

Artist Quote: I really wanted to bring out some of the vivid colors in this drawing.

16. The Hiding Hobo by hartie
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The first thing that I saw in this picture was the detail of the skin on the hand in the forefront of the picture; the effect of an aged man has been very well represented. It is also quite commendable that this artist has drawn the darkened side of the face quite well, and contrasts very nicely with the lightened side of the face, in which the eye is drawn and highlighted quite well. The hand in the forefront is perhaps a bit inexact as to the proportions, but that, in my opinion, enhances its appeal as a pencil work. On the whole, this piece has obtained a dark, almost sinister feel. A well-executed picture.

Artist Quote: The Hiding Hobo can represent many different people in any type of situation who remain or feel unseen, even though they seek help or acknowledgment.

17. A Party: Full Series by MikePomery

The first name which jumped into my head upon seeing the first few panels of this amazing surrealistic piece was ‘Picasso’. Both artists’ work share a certain surrealistic quality which is very effective and appealing. Each panel displays differing characters and personalities, showing us through “a journey into the excess and dramas of substance abuse”, as is stated by the artist in the description. The unique style portrayed here of cutting out one side of the face I have not seen before, and it lends a sense of originality and again, enhances the profoundly surrealistic nature of the piece. There is a wide variety of colours expertly used, combined with geometric shapes one would generally think to find in a modern art gallery; perhaps that is where this piece is headed.

Artist Quote: A journey into the effects and consequences of substance abuse; ranging from social drinking, excess, violation, confrontation, regret and relapse.

18. A Friend by Turinbaar

Rather than use graphite pencils to achieve a grayscale work, as most artists do, this particular artist has used the medium of charcoal; as is most evident, this produces more contrast, and quickly, compared to graphite pencils. The face, focal point of the picture, has a near palpable sense of realism about it, something I always try (and fail, regrettably) to include in portraiture. Yet, this artist has achieved what I most certainly will not be able to for some time – and as such, I can most certainly see why this portrait was included in this feature.

Artist Quote: My goal in making the piece was to capture her personality and character along with her appearance.

19. Sometimes the message is lost by Gekster

I can’t really say that this picture makes all that much sense to me; nevertheless, that by no means detracts from it. Another character-on-white piece (a composition I draw frequently and am quite fond of), it gives me a vague Oriental feel for some reason; I could be miles off, however. The animal, anatomically, is very well drawn, as is the fur coloured. The flowers to the rear of the animal and the green line-and-block pattern behind it make a sort of abstract presentation, and in addition the piece is another perfect example of simplicity at its best.

Artist Quote: The image had actually quite a few meanings, both after it was finished and before, when I was still drawing it. It somehow expressed how I felt at the time. From a quirky side of view it could be just that a ferret (showing the mischievous side) would be glad to hide your letter so that the message you should receive would really not come to you. The playful nature of life and fate, playing a game with you.

From the more serious one it's just how often both in written and in spoken word, the message you are trying to send across is misunderstood. How the true meaning may be hidden under the layers of paper, but everybody is ready to read just the first page and skip the rest. The animal itself really represents both the quirky side as well as the serious one - animals are harder to understand and it takes a lot more effort to pick the message they may be sending you. Growls would be obvious, but the more subtle warnings or demands can be missed.

20. The Transaction by CMercedes
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I just thought… Whoa, when I saw this picture. Rather than simplicity, this artist has opted for abundant intricacy – and I must say, I am impressed. The clothing in particular is exquisite; it’d take me a month, a sack of coffee (wakefulness is good) and a few broken windows to even come close. The blue hue is a nice touch, but what I really think is commendable about this picture is the sheer amount of patterns and linework involved, so intricately and cleanly. The idea of humans having eternal life, and having to be held together by stitches, is both interesting and comical at the same time. This piece is a wonderful example of good lineart, and as such a worthy feature.

Artist Quote: What I would give to gain eternal youth and life.}