Concept Art Study - Hunting Yoda


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I started this one not knowing what I was going to do.
I mixed some light colours and wetted the back the canvas with it and slowly added my blues, greens and some red into the white wet canvas doing single vertical lines, grouping some of them in compact bundles  I quickly started to look like I was making a dense forest scene.


I kept this process until I blocked some areas with well defined trees that resembled a mix of mangrove/sequoia tree forest . I mixed my blue green and red into a really dark value to block the bottom and sides. Then with the color mix I used for the trees, I added a yellow hue to lighten it in order to establish a glowing bottom. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but the more I looked at it, the more it started to look like the StarWars planet Dagobah.


So I went with that idea further and refined the trees,adding vines falling, roots and linking the bottom of the trees to the ground.
I felt, the scene needed a figure, I was tempted to make it Yoda, however, while I wanted a static figure, I thought Yoda would restrict the story too much to a static shot of yet another lonely day in yoda's life. Instead I opted with a tall hooded figure with a red lightsaber, a Dark Jedi, or Sith, or possibly Darth Vader himself.
As viewers, since we know yoda lives there on his own, we start wondering straight away who that figure could be and why is he there; was he there before, is he looking for yoda, is he another apprentice of the Emperor or Darth Vader... ?

I wasn't sure still if I wanted solid ground or that glowing marsh feel from the movie.
At this stage I needed to block the movement into one direction. From the picture bellow there are two gaps in the trees, this not only creates too much light and openness into what should be a closed a dark foreboding environment, it also distracts the eye as the viewer doesn't really know where to focus, going back and forth between the two gaps.


I decided to close the gap on the right side of the composition, creating a clear entry point into the background, and only one point for the eyes to focus on.
I added some glow into the light saber and yet more vines falling from the trees.
I decided to add some yellowish fog and a few highlights on the ground instead of deciding whether it should be solid or water. The fog extend into the roots of the trees and seems to create it's own light.
The viewer then doesn't really know what lies under, nothing is clearly defined here, the importance is on the rough shapes as opposed to the detains and the unease comes from the dark areas as well as from the brighter ones.

Thanks for reading this and if you liked these tutorials, don't forget to check out my Patreon page too: http://www.patreon.com/olonguet?alert=1



Concept art study - "I'm not alone"


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Today here's a slightly different bit of work than usual...


 This started as a simple exercise in abstraction: build up a textured background from various diluted out colors and fill up the whole canvas. The idea is that i'm hoping the different tones and brushstroke shapes will suggest a few ideas...


I keep building up the canvas but I have, at this point, no idea of what am going to paint. Once I was happy with the background I decided to build up shapes in the background. I used darker colors and just started applying them without much purpose. I did the shapes bellow and let the painting sit like this for a few hours, not looking at it...

Once I returned to the painting, I saw that he shape suggested a tree branch, so I dediced to go with the idea of a backlit dark forest scene. 
I, removed the branch and lightened the whole centre of the painting with paint, adding quick brush strokes from the top right to bottom left. This will suggest some light breaking through the highest branches in the background of the painting.


I then started the process of building the scene from the background to the foreground. As with previous paintings, I use darker and darker values using my background color as a basis. This is the part I enjoy most as it sets up a scene for the final piece.
I added a big blocking element on the right, sweeping from the top. The trees going into the background follow the same slope but they're getting more vertical as they fade in the back. This helps create a focus point right a the root of the tree in the foreground. This will most likely suggest a focal element in the painting later on.
I also added a large blocking tree on the right for another element of focus in the painting. This will help me as it gives me a choice of using the right or left for my focus point (or both!)



Again, I let the piece sit for an hour, not looking at it (this is VERY important) and came back to it.
Looking back at the piece there's a clear movement suggested: from the top left to the tree on the right. It looks like the tree on the right will be the location for the main point of focus of the scene and the tree on the right will be recipient/source... 
Since the scene had a gloomy feel, reminiscent of the Walking Dead series, I decided to add zombie-like figures. This creates a tension in the scene already, as you cannot see the figures properly but can clearly identify as threatening. I use small light dots to suggest their eyes. It creates a feel of unease, eyes aren't supposed to glow, and helps suggest where they're looking. How the scene plays out now depends on what is going on, on the right hand side of the picture: another zombie, someone running away, resting or just stumbling on the zombies by accident


After thinking about it, I thought the scene would be even stronger if the zombies where instead 'the victims' in the scene ; so I used the character of Michonne in the Walking Dead. Anyone who's seen the show knows she's not one to run from them and will possibly hunt them if she needs to.  This create a really strong scene now as we have a pretty clear idea of what is going to happen next.


Finally I added some details to close in the scene. Notice I didn't add a lot highlights though, just a few to suggest the twisting shapes of trees and rocks. However I didn't detail the edges or bottom of the picture ; the action happens in the center of the picture so that's where the details should be.
That's about it. Thanks for reading this and if you liked these tutorials, don't forget to check out my Patreon page too: http://www.patreon.com/olonguet?alert=1

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SOLD
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Off the Beaten track


As we drove around hills, we spotted a little track down to the sea. We followed it and there it was: pristine, empty and perfect. There was no car park facilities, no showers, no shops or vendors ... Just one gently tapered wave peeling off into the distance.
The undiscovered gem.
"Off the beaten track"

Acrylics on ply
approx 23x17 inches (58x 43cm) 
€430 (approx $588)

Shipping: €20


Click the Buy Now button to buy this painting
Alternatively, I now offer the option to purchase each paintings in 12 smaller monthly instalments of €44.67 (approx $61.12), -shipping included . Click the subscribe button to set up the instalments

New Print: "Life is good"

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I'm delighted to now have this new beautiful piece available as a print. The original piece is called "Life is Good. 

Prints and canvas prints vailable at http://shop.photo4me.com/picture.aspx?id=341004&f=canvas


Life is good



This is the first of a series of new paintings I am working on. I'm really happy with these and I am planning a new exhibition in a great location around Galway soon. They've been fantastic supporters of my work and I like having my first exhibition for new work with them. 

In the meantime I will also have them available on my site when they're finished. Enjoy.
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"Life is good."

Acrylics on ply
approx 17x17 inches (43x 43cm) 
€300 (approx $405)

Shipping: €20



Click the Buy Now button to buy the original

Alternatively, I now offer the option to purchase each paintings in 12 smaller monthly instalments of €33.67 (approx $46.07), -shipping included . Click the subscribe button to set up the instalments.


I also have prints of this prints of this piece available here.

http://www.imagekind.com/art/Life-is-Good_art?show=canvas&IMID=b4ba9b0d-9f93-4b35-88bc-6c1044d6035e


As a bonus, I also did the study for this piece on the ipad. Here's the video:


New Print


 
If you feel like a treat for yourself or someone else, I have a new print available from Photo4me of some of my best daily paintings: 
http://shop.photo4me.com/picture.aspx?id=312383&f=canvas


Flock of two


New painting available :
"Flock of Two"

Acrylics on Canvas
8x8 inches (20 x 20cm) 
€75 (approx $101)
Shipping: €20 - it's heavy wood

Click the Buy Now button to buy this painting

Samsung Phone Covers


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I am delighted to be able to offer SAMSUNG phone covers in addition to my existing iPhone cases.
I only have a limited selection of art available but if you'd like a piece you'd like isn't available, please send me an email (olonguet@gmail.com) and I'll add it to the list :

http://pixels.com/profiles/olivier-longuet.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=340113


Morning Sheep


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"Morning Sheep"

Acrylics on Canvas
8x8 inches (20 x 20cm) 
€150 (€195)


Click the Buy Now button to buy this painting
Alternatively, I now offer the option to purchase each paintings in 10 smaller monthly instalments of 36.5 (approx $47.45). Click the subscribe button.

Skies & Seas #2

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Skies & Seas #2
12x9 inches
Acrylics on canvas board
Unframed
€90
 
 

Skies & Seas #1


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I am starting a small series of paintings called "Skies & Seas" celebrating the feeling of the open seas in various weathers and moods. Skies & Seas is about the the blurred horizon, the line where the sky and the sea seem to merge into one element.

This is the first one of the series.
12x9 inches
Acrylics on canvas board
Unframed
€90




Sheep Mentality


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I finally have a bit more time to work on my other project : the Sheep Mentality Comic strip.
I started on this last year but only had about 14 drawn and people have been wondering if I was going to make more.
Truth is I just haven't had the time to work on them but I've been writing them for the past year as ideas came to me. I've a good 30 written and about as much at the idea stage now and I finally have time to draw them so  I'm making more.
It looks like it's still will be published in the Surfer's Path magazine too so all's good on the Sheep Mentality front.
Go check it out at http://sheepmentality.blogspot.com and make sure to like the Facebook page


New table


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I've been looking for a nice large rustic table an never been able to find what I wanted -at least not at a reasonable price. So I thought I'd have a go.
I found some old scafolding planks that weren't good enough for construction anymore and joinded them together with some old 2x4 planks.



After a lot of planning sanding and sanding I had a nice table.
I stained the 2x4 with some dark woodstain to get a nice effect and varnished the lot.

Voila! a nice new table



Here's a small video :



New Board painted

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I finished painting a surfboard for my friend Pete of Aloha Surf School in Fanore. He had an old board that he didn't want to part with and wanted the painting to feature our local break.
He was stoked with it and so was I.




Shorebreak

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"Shorebreak"
24 x 12 in (61 x30 cm)
Oil on canvas board - Driftwood Frame
Price :  €370 ($524)

I've had this painting done a while now but I decided to re-post it since I made a small driftwood frame for it with pieces I collected where I normally surf. I think if fits the painting quite well. The frame is complimentary but it can be removed easily if it doesn't suit you.




Click the Buy Now button to buy this painting.


Alternatively, I now offer the option to purchase each paintings in 10 smaller monthly instalments of €43.55 ($55.19). Click the subscribe button.


Sunset Slide


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"Sunset Slide"  
12x12 in (30x30cm)
Acrylics on deep edge canvas 
  €250 ( approx $330)


Click the buy now button bellow to purchase this painting.

Polkas Anyone ?


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"Polkas anyone ?" 
 10x14 in (24x35cm) 
Acrylics on Deep Edge Canvas
€250 (appox $326)


Use the 'Buy Now' button to purchase this painting.

Alternatively, I now offer the option to purchase pieces in 12 smaller monthly instalments of €24.79 (approx $32.34). Click the subscribe button.

Duke Street Gallery

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I brought a new series of paintings to the Duke Street Gallery last weekend, in their new premises. The new place looks great and while they've lost their fantastic window displays new layout inside is much much better and the art there looks great.
I'm also DELIGHTED that they're taking on my surf related works now. It's great to see surf art slowly making it into mainstream galleries and a positive encouragement for struggling surf art artists to persevere.

Bouzouki and Flute


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Another piece going to the Bridge Street Gallery (former Apollo Gallery) next weekend.
12x12 - inches Acrylics on Canvas. I don't have a name yet but I'm sure I'll come up with something soon...or if you have suggestions, fire away...



New Painting - Temple Bar


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"Temple Bar"
16x20 in (40x50cm)
 
Acrylics on Deep Edge Canvas
Available at the Duke Street Gallery

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