Despina Liapi: St. George

My mother, Despina Liapi, is a painter and iconographer. (Small wonder I ended up painting, too; my earlier memories involve her, brush in hand, painting.)

This is one of her latest works, an icon of St. George. I can't get over how beautiful it is.

Powder pigments on solid wood board, 50x70cm (19.7 x 27.5'')

It is painted in the traditional Byzantine style, which poses many restrictions and has many set rules; but my mother has some serious skills. Check out the details! :D

Sketches: Stephanie! & poses

This week's sketches:

The first three are from Kxhara's stock account on deviantART (very good material there; thanks for sharing!).

Random cat is trying to look lazy.

Another sketch (bottom left) from Twisted Lamb.

And last but not least, the lovely Stephanie Gutowski. Go check out her art and costume-making here!

Fade

What timeless hours must it take...

Apophysis, Photoshop, Illustrator, a few hours altogether.

Prayer Flags

About an hour for this one. Inspiration from wikipedia article on prayer flags.

For Japan.

Transit + TL sketches

More sketchbook pages. I drew the three faces on the top right corner on the bus/metro. The others were again referenced from Twisted Lamb.

Twisted Lamb sketches

I discovered Twisted Lamb by a friend's recommendation, and found some posts quite inspiring.I made some sketches off them. (The bottom sketch of the tree isn't; I just scanned it along with the rest.)

photo studies

Two photo studies. Partly to spice up a bit my repertoire of faces. I should really be working on HANDS, instead, but I got sidetracked as usual. :}

 

(click for full view)

Reference from Rammstein's Amerika video clip (02:39). Trying to tackle dark skin had me throw everything I thought I knew about painting faces out the window! Good exercise, though.

And a totally different one; reference from the beginning of this video (featuring Alexander McQueen's 2003 winter collection).

Aboard the Eliatras, in progress

The figure needs work. And he should look older.