Crumby Chimp [Archive]

crumbedbrains

04-21-2003, 11:50 AM

Hi all,
Been quiet,
Haven't done much lately but thought I'd post what I'm working on at present . . . soooo much to go coz it's gonna have a background too. It's a picture of "Frodo" who is currently the alpha male in the famous Jane Goodall's chimp group in Gombe, Tanzania. I have copyright clearance on this as long as I put in some surrondings (foliage etc). All comments welcome . . especially your thoughts/comments with regard the background, environment or surroundings. I have some thoughts already but wanted to get your opinions.

Bulldog clip at top right give you an idea of the size.

Photo taken late at night under flouro lamp and is blurry!! sorry!

Cheers
Crumby

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/21-Apr-2003/10882-DCP_1092WC.jpg

Dark_Shades

04-21-2003, 11:54 AM

Hi Crumby, been wondering where you got to lol, ...... is this the same chimp you have done before? .... of course its excellent work lol ....... love the skin, pose and fur... as for background......
what ever you decide will be great

sundiver

04-21-2003, 12:19 PM

sigh.........
Outstanding.
:clap: :clap: :clap:

Redsy333

04-21-2003, 01:42 PM

:DGRAPEAPE this astounding!:D
Marvey as usual;) Cant wait to see the final!!!

Mo.

04-21-2003, 01:48 PM

WOW!!! Excellent !!

Cheers,
Mo.

Bkargraves

04-21-2003, 02:17 PM

This is great. When I look at it I can't help but wonder what this fine animal is thinking. I think Ms. Goodall would be pleased that you captured the idea that these creatures have thoughts and feelings. Great job.

meowmeow

04-21-2003, 04:54 PM

What a great looking chimp! A beautiful job...as usual!
I know you want advice about the background...but I think I will defer to some others who may do animal portraits. I really don't know...I like it as it is but realize you have to do something.

Sandy

soap

04-21-2003, 05:00 PM

Oh, wow! Such detail. What a cute one!

BTDogMom

04-21-2003, 05:52 PM

Holy http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/21-Apr-2003/18803-cow.gif! This is OUTSTANDING, I mean really really really OUTSTANDING!!:clap: :clap:

Luvy

04-21-2003, 07:53 PM

Oh I Can't wait to see this one done. I love him. Foliage in the background PALMS? Love it. As usual Perfect :clap:

warter

04-21-2003, 08:03 PM

Really nice...great expression !!

crumbedbrains

04-22-2003, 01:42 AM

Hi again,
Thanks everyone for all the supportive comments . . . really helps as we all go through slumps and periods of self doubt.

Dawn: YES it is the same one I tried before but I botched that up so badly that I never completed it. This is my second try coz I loved the picture so much.

Meow: Yes I have to do something . .when I approached the photograph owners they said I could use it (for free!!!) if there was "significant change". Now the original just shows blurry hints of foliage in the background which is what I would normally do but cannot this time. I asked whether if I put some foliage etc. around him if that would constitute "significant" and they said that would be fine.

So I'm thinkin', say, some foliage above and a rock wall with lichen & stuff behind (but blurry hint only) something like below with possibly a little more foliage bottom right and hints clinging to the rock wall.

Opinions please??????? Oh and sorry about my lack of photo-manipulation skills . . . but it gets the idea across

Thanks in advance
Crumby

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/22-Apr-2003/10882-Thumb03.jpg

crumbedbrains

04-22-2003, 01:46 AM

Oh and BTW . . .this is a deliberate plan of attack . . I knew the chimp would be the focal point and thus drew him first. Now playing around with thumbnail sketches at THIS stage coz, for me at least, it's easier to visualize with the finished painting using the completed focal point as a base. Hope that makes sense.
Crumby

Artaholic

04-22-2003, 02:13 AM

Wow what talent!!:clap: :clap: After I finish this dadblasted rose I wanna try animals, you are an expert !! What kind of paper and what pastels do you use??

Gerry

Redsy333

04-22-2003, 05:36 AM

I know exactly what you mean;)
Just watch posting leaves that hang over his head as such, you will change the lighting and create shadows that are not there now. That will change up his face dramatically!
Try working with small climbing vines along the wall, small leaves that wouldnt take from his beautiful face!:D
Since they are vast in Jungles, try researching Google for some Jungle ruins, or Indian ruins for refrence materials. There are heaps of pics under Mayan and Incas in Mexico as well.
Cheers;)

Originally posted by crumbedbrains
Oh and BTW . . .this is a deliberate plan of attack . . I knew the chimp would be the focal point and thus drew him first. Now playing around with thumbnail sketches at THIS stage coz, for me at least, it's easier to visualize with the finished painting using the completed focal point as a base. Hope that makes sense.
Crumby

doe

04-22-2003, 07:58 AM

He's wonderful! It's too bad you can't just do the blurry jungle background!

crumbedbrains

04-24-2003, 12:23 PM

Hey there,

Thanks for looking.

Artaholic: mainly Faber Castell hard pastels with some Windsor Newton soft and a couple of Conte's. Paper is Canson Card which is smooth and therefore good for detail.

Redsy: . .my thoughts exactly (great minds :rolleyes: ) I was worried about having to produce artificial shadows so I've chickened out. Will go for smaller stuff clinging to the rock as you suggested . . thanks

Doe . . .yeah shame but I couldn't use the photo otherwise.

OK . .going slow here coz I don't want to have to attempt this a third time! LOL Just started the rock face . . still lots to do. That brighter green moss above his head is what I'm working on at present . .there will be much more of this in and around the cracks and elsewhere. Thinking of making the rock look wet in places like there's water seeping out of the cracks . . mmm . . dunno. I've also brought out the detail in his arm just below his chin.

Only thing I'll add after that is some small foliage either clinging to the rock as Redsy suggested or just a few blades of grass at the bottom.

All further comments VERY welcome
Cheers
Crumby

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Apr-2003/10882-DCP_1096WC.jpg

Dark_Shades

04-24-2003, 12:27 PM

looking good so far crumby......... like the sound of the wet rocks and water

Redsy333

04-24-2003, 12:35 PM

Wow this is looking AWSOMEEEEE!!
Excellent wall work:D I like the thought of some water drops here and there too:D sounds like a challenge!!
Just watch making it trickle, cause then you will need to create a chiseled path for it to follow!;) Love this!!

Artaholic

04-24-2003, 01:15 PM

Wow!! Wow, and wow!! can't wait to see the finished work. Thanks for the information. I know I need some hard pastels , but have to wait a while.

Gerry

BTDogMom

04-24-2003, 02:48 PM

OMG!!! This is beautfiul!!!!! Really gorgeous!!!

Dima

04-24-2003, 04:48 PM

Great chimp, Crumby!
Your realism is stunning as allways.

Dick

Bobbie

04-24-2003, 05:59 PM

He does have a beautiful face & I think Redsy has a great point about the leaves - they are such delicious colors they drew my beady blue eyes away from his face.

louisiton

04-25-2003, 01:06 AM

Crumby, I've just come upon this thread and I have to say that your chimp is too beautiful for words. The way the light falls on his face is fantastic. You're also doing a fantastic job on the background. The lichen looks so real I feel like I could scrape it off with my nail. I'm looking forward to seeing what you add next. Thanks for the great WIP:clap: :clap:

sunny

04-25-2003, 02:26 AM

Crumby..if I have to add my 2 cents worth..*of which I am*..hee hee
the soulfulness of what you have captured in this chimps face...has to be the center of attraction..the pics that you showed of the folage..way too much..I agree with redsy and what you have done with the second post..the foliage need only to be indicated here...the lines which you have indiacted...are wonderful...leads you..bringing you closer to those wonderful eyes....indicate only a little..less is definitly more here...you have already capture the essence of this painting..don't overdo..it its brilliaint...

Sunny:)

flowerfields

04-25-2003, 03:54 AM

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Crumby, this is FANTASTIC!!!!!
So real I just want to reach out and pat his head, (or pull the hairs on his chin) and scrape off some lichen off the wall...getting steamy there in the jungle..:D Love the wall and wouldnt want to detract from his face at all, but maybe, just a hint of foliage in the bottom corner to balance??? love the colour of the paper you chose too. Excellent work as always.....
Catchya
Mia:cat:

crumbedbrains

04-25-2003, 12:02 PM

Hey everyone,
Thanks for the nice comments . . . agree with Sunny in her still life thread about WC . . great place to be . . . and the only place I've ever been for lessons.

OK nearly done here . . .just added more moss to the top half of the rock face and a few blades of grass bottom right. Have to stop now coz my wife has gone to bed . .she's the one who tells me when it's time to frame!! LOL

Think it needs one or two more grass blades and it's done . mm dunno . .what do ya think?

I've added a close up too

Cheers
Crumby

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Apr-2003/10882-DCP_1097wc.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Apr-2003/10882-DCP_1099wc.jpg

BevL

04-25-2003, 12:19 PM

Its perfect, Crumby. Couldnt be moreso. :)

Bev

soap

04-25-2003, 12:20 PM

Stunning

louisiton

04-25-2003, 12:31 PM

Let your wife sleep - FRAME IT!!

Artaholic

04-25-2003, 12:34 PM

Perfect any more and it would probably be too much . The direction of the grass blades lead you right to your wonderful subject.:clap: :clap: .

Gerry

Redsy333

04-25-2003, 12:40 PM

"FRAME IT!"

There is that clear enuff!? hehe leave it be its done!

sunny

04-25-2003, 12:45 PM

So beautiful Crumby...maybe its just me...(could be)..I think at least one more blade of grass..there is a dark shape on the bottom of the right hand corner..created by those 2 overlapping blades of grass..to much of a negative, postive space there...thinking maybe just one more blade of grass..(not as sharp as the ones that are there now)...would break that space up...have it less in value...so your eye goes back into the painting...

Just a thought..

Sunny:)

Mo.

04-25-2003, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by crumbedbrains
I've added a close up too

Cheers
Crumby

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Apr-2003/10882-DCP_1099wc.jpg

My Gawd Crumby You've even added the hairs in his nostril.... The eyes are exceptional...... that must have taken some concentration.

Brilliant piece of artwork.:clap: :clap: I'm speechless (read as Gobsmacked ;))

I'd say FRAME IT too.

Cheers,
Mo.

soap

04-25-2003, 06:52 PM

....hard to believe these are pastel strokes.........
LOL even hair in his nostrils......:D, Mo!

frame it and send it around the world on an exhibition tour!

Redsy333

04-25-2003, 07:01 PM

Good thing you wear those bifocals eh Sir Crumby;) LOL!!!:D

crumbedbrains

04-25-2003, 11:15 PM

Hey,
I'm a man . . I know all about hairy nostrils!! LOL

OK wifey says it needed a couple more blades of grass and I did some touching up here and there. Added a couple more close ups too. It's signed, it's done!!! phew LOL

Crumby

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Apr-2003/10882-DCP_1100WC.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Apr-2003/10882-DCP_1101WC.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Apr-2003/10882-DCP_1102WC.jpg

butterfly

04-25-2003, 11:26 PM

WOW!!! WONDERFUL JOB !!:clap: :clap: :clap:
VERY VERY IMPRESSIVE !!!

Butterfly/Roni

Dark_Shades

04-26-2003, 05:53 AM

lol Crumby ...... he even has some brekkie crumbs round he's mouth lolol ...... :D
I was a little disappointed there was no water.......... But I forgive you hee hee (this time)....... the blades of grass are perfect...... add that bit of interest and colour........ great piece

E-J

04-26-2003, 07:32 AM

Bloody hell... it's amazing! :clap:

doe

04-26-2003, 08:29 AM

Your handling of the background was excellent! Great painting!:clap:

BTDogMom

04-26-2003, 10:06 AM

OK wifey says it needed a couple more blades of grass and I did some touching up here and there. Added a couple more close ups too. It's signed, it's done!!! And it's absolutely stunning!!! I am speechless, and that NEVER happens!!!:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

mhimeswc

04-26-2003, 10:52 AM

Speechless here too! I'll remember this one as I practice my green apples. :-)

Michelle

Artaholic

04-26-2003, 01:29 PM

Wow, the detail is stunning:clap: :clap:

Gerry

Drumbeat-trish

04-26-2003, 03:20 PM

:clap:

meowmeow

04-26-2003, 03:27 PM

It is so realistic as to almost be scary! What an incredible job you do!

Sandy

sunny

04-26-2003, 08:08 PM

Crumby,
Thank you for sharing your work with us...and your humbleness about your outstanding talent...its a joy to see...love this piece so much!!!...Happy for you..

Looking forward to your next still life...

Sunny:)

crumbedbrains

04-26-2003, 10:24 PM

Thanks all for the supportive comments!
Sttin' here looking at a blank easel at the moment . . .ack!! . . don't ya hate artists block! LOL
Thanks again
Crumby

sunny

04-26-2003, 10:54 PM

No creative block... Crumby..sitting....is an integral part of the creative process...This phase has its own special qualities...its own gifts..so to speak...they are crucial to the preparation of the next rebirth.....the stage of sitting to me...when honored comes from not doing...not to be engaged ..especially after your creation here..is a time to dream..and to learn from where you have so souly been,,,the moment will come as it always does for the next inspiration...

So sit for awhile my dear artist friend...the next inspiration is just around the bend...You've earned it...

Sunny:)