Journey's End

Journeys End

A journey began with a very basic understanding of digital painting. I finally arrived at the destination after many learning curves and long shelf periods. Along the way it's scope grew in visual ambition and so did the file size! I'm now happy to offer this as a Giclee print, large, small or anything in between.

All images can be enlarged by clicking on them (doesn't work so well on a smart phone).

The digital painting. Detail images and write up at bottom of page.

Prints / UK only (at present)

Giclee print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth paper (305gsm)

Available any size you choose up to 850mm on the width. But I've only tested up to 650mm! l know the print quality will be perfect at the former size but some aspects of the actual art work itself may not be as strong. There will be more detail.

The print can be any size you choose. The following sizes and prices are a guide. Let me know the size you want and I'll give you the price. Let me know if you'd like to make a purchase and we can arrange via email. Once I've received payment I will arrange for your print to be posted out to you:

Framing

I am not currently offering a framed version. This is just to give an idea of what it could look like framed.

I obtained my frame from an online framers. All I needed was the image size. It's then a case of choosing frame and mount, backing and glazing. If anyone is interested in purchasing a print and is seeking framing advice then I'm happy to impart what I know. So feel free to get in touch.

I paid under £100 for the frame (incl delivery), for this 65cm print.

Width / Height / White border width (around whole image) / Price

W35.0/H27.5cm / 1cm / £27.
W400/H31.4cm / 1.5cm / £29.
W450/H35.3cm / 2cm / £32.
W500/H39.2cm / 2cm / £36

W55.0/H43.2 / 2cm / £45
W60.0/H47.2 / 2cm / £50
W65.0/H51.0 / 2.5cm / £55
W70.0/H54.9 / 2.5cm / £60

Contact

Click here to get in touch and I will respond via email.

About the journey and detail images

Started during the pandemic (before I discovered my main passion for pain air painting) this was to be my first digital piece. I’d ‘cheated’ a little and hand drew the initial design on paper as I couldn’t draw very well on a desktop graphics tablet. I’d also used a small iPad, which was better for drawing but too small.

I’d enjoyed my initial forays into digital painting and thought it very accessible and quite easy. I was kicking myself that I’d not ventured into it earlier (I'm from an illustration background). Embarking on this particular journey was with a view to entering a piece for a competition entitled ‘The Return’ (for a computer game co). I failed the deadline miserably as it became apparent that I couldn't lower my artistic standards just because the work was digital.

I soon picked it up again as I’d put too much work in to let go, but I had little idea the amount of work still required to achieve artistic satisfaction. So often did I think that the destination would be just over the next hill but it wasn’t to be! Largely due to a lack of expertise in making digital art I took wrong turnings and sometimes, steeper pathways than were necessary. I also had to wade through a mire or two.

With my artistic and software explorations en route the painting had developed into a particular vision and style. Decisions were made about all I was seeking to convey and the goal became a mission to get all that across in a unified and captivating way.

So I went from a beginner in digital art to someone having to get a complex idea accross convincingly in the medium. I'll leave it to the viewer to decide if/how successful I've been.

An exploration in Narrative

Beyond the main idea of a wizard, on a jetty, in an interesting, mysterious place and surrounded by a rough, ragtaggle crowd of raftsmen and a sort of hostile king or chieftain, grew the ambition of narrative possibilities.

So that the main figures would become living characters in relationship to each other relationships meant giving serious attention to the supporting players, such as the raftsmen. One thing leads to another. Skulls needed to be convincing (in this fantasy context). Dogs! Fires! Stairways!! The tree house!!! Water, gently rippling!!!! I think this has tested me to the limits of my current abilities and I was absolutely forced to develop the digital skills. When it gets technical (I don't know how many 'layers' I employed) I struggle and sometimes lose the will to live. But I know enough these days, to just walk away and return later, sometimes it was days or weeks later.

The silent Chieftain seated and vaguely threatening, possibly.
Warriors telling of the hunt.
The impassive and unimpressed Wizard, who looks as though he may have stepped out on an Earth Sea novel. I read the trilogy during the making of this piece and it became something of a guiding light. He is central to all (including the trees) and all are held in the tension that exists between he and this Chieftan.
The dwarves know each other. Perhaps they are related, Perhaps long separated but now is not the ideal reunion.
A mysterious lady decends the stair. The main action is framed between she and her foreground counterpart. The lady with her back to us is perhaps the chieftains daughter and stands with her ancient friend looking on expectantly, hoping that the tension will soon pass. I'm not so good at drawing women from the imagination but I certainly enjoyed painting her hair!
The leader of the house above is positively alarmed by the situation. It is not he who descended the stair to greet these visitors. But on him rests the reponsibility. Looks a bit like me I think! At one point my signature had existed above the door at the bottom of the tree but in producing the print it somehow got lost! Perhaps he will suffice as a signature instead?
A child grasps for a better view and a nervous mother stays close.

There is a world of story behind this piece but it’s not a written one, so that opens up possibilities for the viewer and hopefully a sense of mystery that will linger as long as the artwork / or print does.