The Birth of Venus (FINAL)

[Black Spot]

I know it's not perfect, but I've learnt so much in doing it. My take on a modern Venus being born.

[Black Spot]

Been working this in my spare time for the last couple of weeks. Started with an old life drawing sketch and went from there. The right forearm needs to be moved, I’ve changed each hand and four times and the position of the legs about six. The stomach area needs major surgery. I build up vector layers at 2-4% transparency, so it takes a while to get the shadow dark.

[hala]

I think it's going to turn out to be a beautiful piece, but are you going to add some twist to the image? "The birth of venus" is a very traditional idea--and I think the contest is asking for something more original. I think if maybe changed the narrative of how venus was born--it would be a lot better. Like instead of the reference to the sea with the giant sea shell, make it some sort of futuristic machinery with tiny robots menticulously building her body (lame example i'm sorry >< )
just must opinion though, it is ultimately your piece and your interpretation of the contest--either way it looks like it will be a very pretty piece in the end

[Black Spot]

I'm actually going to a couple of versions on it if I have the time. The second will have an umbilical cord and loads of slime, but I don't see why a more decorative piece can't stand in it's own right. Of course I have to get it up to standard, which is not going to be easy with my skill set. I did check out other renditions of Venus and nothing came close to my idea of a more modern image. It's always possible that I missed something. Spent most of this morning checking hinges for auriculate bivalve shells.

[arttorney]

I think it's a beautiful idea. (Admittedly that may be because I had already settled on the idea of trying the birth of Athena myself.)

The contest says the image must be original and not incorporate copyrighted unapproved images. I think putting the Black Spot stamp upon a traditional story may be just what the doctor ordered. The following is a copy paste from the discussion of the 50% credit for "idea development"

Idea Development:
Narrative, idea, story, symbolism, design,

I think it looks like narrative, story, symbolism are a big deal here. Those things are going to be hard to pull off in the complete absence of a backstory people already know about. Hence I've rambled my way through to my conclusion that an original development of a mythical or historical story is probably the way to go here (meaning that if the composition, design elements, and technical development show a flair that hasn't been seen before in this story, the story itself can stand "as written."). Good show! Birth of Venus has such potential for a beautiful design.

Are you sure you want that shell clapper going straight out of the upper right corner? Well, I guess it's axis is actually going to the top margin rather than the corner. Never mind.

[Black Spot]

Are you sure you want that shell clapper going straight out of the upper right corner? Well, I guess it's axis is actually going to the top margin rather than the corner. Never mind.

I was going for a more traditional Japanese composition with a magazine look. The question is if I can pull it off.

Post your idea up as it sounds interesting. Classics FTW.

[arttorney]

I'll put up something when I have it set up OK. Right now it is just ugly-assed stick figures in my sketchbook. I am glad you are thinking about the "magazine look." That is kind of an implied rule, in that you are definitely not going to win the Imagine FX cover if your image is not the right shape for an Imagine FX cover, or if all your coolest stuff is right where they have to put the magazine title. I was just getting ready to study some of their covers and see if I could scare up some submission guidelines before I settle on my final composition and aspect ratio.

[Black Spot]

It wasn't actually a concious decision, just that I noticed it later without doing any research on their covers. It also crops well, but that is by the by.

[hala]

I'm actually going to a couple of versions on it if I have the time. The second will have an umbilical cord and loads of slime, but I don't see why a more decorative piece can't stand in it's own right. Of course I have to get it up to standard, which is not going to be easy with my skill set. I did check out other renditions of Venus and nothing came close to my idea of a more modern image. It's always possible that I missed something. Spent most of this morning checking hinges for auriculate bivalve shells.

Decorative is fine, but venus coming out a shell is pretty overdone, so I'm glad to hear tho that you did have other ideas in mind for making this truly YOUR decorative piece. That's what counts good luck!

[GriNGo]

Nice start to the piece.. I kinda think the shell is too detailed, while she isn't. As she is the focus of the piece, maybe you should render her accordingly (much more than the rest of the composition).

[Black Spot]

I will be. It's just that I keep changing my mind.

[buffichar]

what program do you use? So far I like venus as a concept. Any paticular reason she's legless
I don't want to assume you have to give us some abck story on your concept.

[hala]

How's it going black spot? Just wanted to apologize after re-reading my comment, I think it came off rude-intentioned when I didn't mean for it to sound that way, just wanted to know more about your idea

Any updates on your piece?

[Black Spot]

Buffichar, she does have legs. I’m using Serif DrawPlus X2, it’s a vector programme. Yes, I know it’s not the way to use vectors, but I didn’t know that when I got the programme and it works for me.

Hala, that’s okay. It’s going slowly. I’ve been posting the recent updates in my sketchbook. A friend pointed out that her left hand is on backwards after I had done a nice job on colour and shading on it. Her left arm is short and that hand is too small.

This is without the corrections I still have to do.

[SinnerMan]

Cool, I like the rendering just don't neglect her left leg. Proportions proportions...

[Black Spot]

Yes, it needs to move down a bit and maybe be lengthened a tad. Every time I think I've cracked it another error show up.

[hala]

Looks good; my only suggestion is to change the color of the shadows in her hair. They seem really really dark for hair color that light, and in this pic where the colors are over all very light. I did just reset my monitor this morning tho, so it might be just me.

Her torso look great

[Puck]

Good start on a classic image. What is she reaching for? I like the idea of an umbilical cord and other 'baby fluids' - a bit gross but still beautiful - a child god born fully grown.

[Black Spot]

hala, I’ve posted a picture a few days ago in my SB where I took out the brown. It was a lot better, especially the strands in the water, but looked thin. I’ll be changing it later to more of a honey colour with just some dark areas. That’s the great thing about working in so many layers; I can work underneath what I’ve done previously.

Puck, there will be a fish poking its head out of the water close to her hand. She’s just waking up and stretching out her limbs; it must be terribly cramped in the shell. I’ve decided not to make her too slimy and not to add the umbilical cord.

[Black Spot]

Changed her left hand; the wrist is now too thin. Moved her left leg; I'll be re-shading it tomorrow. All the errors were on the left - being to sound like a Dudley & Pete sketch. There is still a small gap between the legs; it's quite important to me that her open knees are suggestive. Omitted most of the dark brown under her hair.

I am working with vectors, but I just just the pencil tool and no blending or gradients as I find they stop the flow when I'm in full swing.

[buffichar]

I see the legs now. Might have been the computer I was using. Liking the progress. Enjoy the process it only makes you better.

[shamandalie]

Great idea. Personally i really like her face. Will silently stalk on your progress!

[Black Spot]

Don’t worry, I’m enjoying myself immensely.

Ooooooh! My first stalker!

Thickened out the hair a fair bit – still needs more work. Shaded the legs a bit and made the left wrist wider. Then just for a bit of fun I took it into PhotoPlus to smooth her out a bit. As it was a low resolution picture and I’ll only be doing it right at the end, you won’t be seeing this again. Next I’ve got to work on the thighs. The right leg could lose a few pounds, but isn’t that what art is all about?

[vardoburrito]

oooo. nice.
-Can you please double check on her left thigh.
The contours look like a sitting down position, or it looks heavy but the fat has stopped
where the glutes start. [notetoself:research the fat pockets/placements.]

Should I be hitting myself in the coconuts for not knowing the background of "The birth of Venus"
*Shudders at vectors. [I can't control that pen man, it fights me every step of the way.]

[Countdown: 30 and a bit days to go and the slow release of adrenaline starts.]

[hala]

oh i see, the hair def. looks better now I wish her one leg stood out a little more against the shell (but i reset my monitor settings so it might just be me i dunno )
and i like the fact that you wanted the legs to be suggestive, it adds more interest to the story.
Your process is interesting, what program are you using for vectoring?

lol Dwardo, venus the roman goddess (aphrodite in greek) was the goddess of love "born from the foam of the sea"--a very metaphorical way of referring to...something that looks like "foam"...I keep the boards g -rate ;p but she is said to have been born in multiple ways, and sometimes referenced with a lady standing on a shell (Anyone remember the masterpiece painting?)

[Black Spot]

I did mention the thigh bit in my last post dwardo. Major liposuction coming up soon.

Hala, when I detail the top shell it should make the leg stand out a bit more. At the moment the gap is barely visible. There are a fair few versions of the Birth of Venus Botticeli, Boug, Duval, Cababel, Boucher Redon and others; some use the shell and some the foam. I checked that I wasn't subconsciously copying any of them.

[Black Spot]

Sort of corrected it, but now have begun on the background.

[Black Spot]

Getting closer. Added the fish.

[pearlyking]

It looks as if it's all coming together rather nicely. Like the fish

[Black Spot]

Taken it out of my vector programme and started to polish it PhotoPlus. Still needs more work before I'm totally happy.