That looks fantastic, Graver, as always!
Wow Graver. Just wow. Thank you very much for sharing the process with us. I really love your work and the pencils alone are really nice.
Theory to Graver Art
Graver + Gesso = Inspiration
Inspiration + Innovation (willingly or forced) = Art
Graver + Art = 
This is theory, and has yet to be proven. Though it will require a lot more Gesso to be entirely sure... 
Seriously though, the piece is coming along splendidly! I love the coloring you've added to The Imperial so far. I wish I could say something a bit more coherent, or relevant to the piece, but I'm honestly not savy at all with colors. So I'll sit here, look silly, and give you a thumbs up! 
Your artwork, takes me back to an art show, and a small corner, where a lone artist sat with his small assortment of illustrations. It was images like the one you have created, that sparked story ideas in my head and put me in touch with a great bunch of comic artists.
This piece radiates with emotions, and urges me to put pen to paper to capture the thousand words your art has inspired. This is a lovely piece and with each one you create, you seem to improve upon the last.
Imperial, if you haven't done already, you should...no, you need to share the back story of this character. There are many questions that beg answering.
[ QUOTE ]
Alright... it's been a bit longer then I first anticipated (I think I was planing on having this thing done last night 
Either way, I have an update... the first layer of color has been applied and, with all due luck, I should be able to have it wrapped up by the end of Wednesday night / Thursday morning.
I'm trying something new and incorporating colored pencils into the mix and, so far, really loving the results. The Imperial has, so far, been the only thing to receive the colored pencils. Also, I think my scanner might be dying as so many subtle colors are missing in the scan... honestly, it looks much better in person
Oh ya, and here's that link thing what not who ever shibidy doohicky lota hum... link... thing, yup... HERE!@!!!!!!!!!#@#@@#!!@!
[/ QUOTE ]
Wow man!!
Piece is coming along very nicely!
I really like the colored pencil look too though man!! Goves it an 'older' feel kinda! Either way ya go I can't wait for the finished product!
[ QUOTE ]
This piece radiates with emotions, and urges me to put pen to paper to capture the thousand words your art has inspired. This is a lovely piece and with each one you create, you seem to improve upon the last.
Imperial, if you haven't done already, you should...no, you need to share the back story of this character. There are many questions that beg answering.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the kind works, Monkey; I really appreciate it. There's been a lot of time, effort, and care put into The Imperial. He's really taken on a life of his own in the couple of years he's been around since the Golden Age of pre-beta.
Here is his character brief that I initially sent to Graver. More info, of course, can be found in his Crey Report.
"Alastair Victor Cromwell was born in 1909 to a fantastically wealthy and notoriously reclusive Old Money family. Trained in the mystic arts from near birth by his relatives, he broke ranks from the Cromwells self-serving ways after being confronted with the literary legacy of King Arthur and inspired to action by the self-sacrifice of a down-on-his-luck stranger who sacrificed his life to save Alistairs.
"Now nearly a century since his birth, The Imperial continues to stand as a beacon of personal virtue and might across the world. His years in the limelight have afforded him a certain platform to speak on global issues, although his celebrity status is something he approaches with unabashed reluctance. Decades as a public figure, and more than fifty years since his wifes untimely death (and some speculate murder) have left the Old Man yearning for a simpler life free from the trappings of his hard-earned station.
"Prone to melancholic mood swings that he keeps carefully hidden from all but his most intimate friends, Alastair often wishes for the peaceful death of old age. To release his mystic hold on the potent Pearl of Gilgamesh and slip quietly into the night - to once again be reunited with his beloved Eleanor - would be all too easy.
"But it is at times like those when the needs of the innocent stir courage again in his heart and the voice of his departed wife rings in his ear, causing him to rise once again to mete out justice with the potent Sceptre of Kings as the Grandfather of Justice, Paragon Citys Shining Light: The Imperial!"
@TheImperial
[ QUOTE ]
Alright... it's been a bit longer then I first anticipated (I think I was planing on having this thing done last night
Either way, I have an update... the first layer of color has been applied and, with all due luck, I should be able to have it wrapped up by the end of Wednesday night / Thursday morning.
I'm trying something new and incorporating colored pencils into the mix and, so far, really loving the results. The Imperial has, so far, been the only thing to receive the colored pencils. Also, I think my scanner might be dying as so many subtle colors are missing in the scan... honestly, it looks much better in person
Oh ya, and here's that link thing what not who ever shibidy doohicky lota hum... link... thing, yup... HERE!@!!!!!!!!!#@#@@#!!@!
[/ QUOTE ]
Know this: I will have your head and will absorb your skill and talent via Quickening.
Watch the shadows, artist!
Sorry Foo, Graver and I have an arrangement. Since he is scrawny and weak, I protect him from other immortals. As payment, once we are the only two left (because I'm just THAT badass) I get to take his head and then *I* will absorb his incredible talent!!! ME!!!! *evil laughter fades into the distance*
So....yeah.
Besides, the shadows in Graver's appartment are dark and scary places. Sometimes they even contain raccoons.
I'm part raccoon, on my mother's side. Also, wereraccoon.
Damn it, I will get a head from someone!
I love the Victorian flair of this piece. It encapsulates Imperial beautifully.
Imperial, you can tell how much effort and love you pour into this character, from the Crey profile to interacting with you in game (remember way-back in the first weeks after beta?). If Cryptic ever awards customized weapon or costume skins, I hope you get your mace
SparrowhawkHummingbirdDungeon MasterCapricornHour WomanQueen NefariaJunkyard GirlDoll FaceStitchbladeRed MinstrelMimic
Nice background Imperial. It's the writer in me that sees more in there, more to the story. Also I wonder what the events are surrounding that strange who saved his life by giving up his own. Good name choice for The Imperials beloved; Eleanor. One cant help but make obvious connections to Mr. Poe tale of the depressed chap with the bird problem.
Thank you for sharing the bio and Graver I can't wait to see the finished version.
Monkey will stop gushing now!
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
This piece radiates with emotions, and urges me to put pen to paper to capture the thousand words your art has inspired. This is a lovely piece and with each one you create, you seem to improve upon the last.
Imperial, if you haven't done already, you should...no, you need to share the back story of this character. There are many questions that beg answering.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the kind works, Monkey; I really appreciate it. There's been a lot of time, effort, and care put into The Imperial. He's really taken on a life of his own in the couple of years he's been around since the Golden Age of pre-beta.
Here is his character brief that I initially sent to Graver. More info, of course, can be found in his Crey Report.
"Alastair Victor Cromwell was born in 1909 to a fantastically wealthy and notoriously reclusive Old Money family. Trained in the mystic arts from near birth by his relatives, he broke ranks from the Cromwells self-serving ways after being confronted with the literary legacy of King Arthur and inspired to action by the self-sacrifice of a down-on-his-luck stranger who sacrificed his life to save Alistairs.
"Now nearly a century since his birth, The Imperial continues to stand as a beacon of personal virtue and might across the world. His years in the limelight have afforded him a certain platform to speak on global issues, although his celebrity status is something he approaches with unabashed reluctance. Decades as a public figure, and more than fifty years since his wifes untimely death (and some speculate murder) have left the Old Man yearning for a simpler life free from the trappings of his hard-earned station.
"Prone to melancholic mood swings that he keeps carefully hidden from all but his most intimate friends, Alastair often wishes for the peaceful death of old age. To release his mystic hold on the potent Pearl of Gilgamesh and slip quietly into the night - to once again be reunited with his beloved Eleanor - would be all too easy.
"But it is at times like those when the needs of the innocent stir courage again in his heart and the voice of his departed wife rings in his ear, causing him to rise once again to mete out justice with the potent Sceptre of Kings as the Grandfather of Justice, Paragon Citys Shining Light: The Imperial!"
[/ QUOTE ]
As a writer myself - sir, I applaud you that is an *excellent* bio!
<^-^>
A Warrior's Friend: ID 335212 - Help Infernal save Valkyrie from Battle Maiden.
Above Mars Part 1: The Wellington: ID 159769 - Save Mars by destroying a monstrous battleship from the inside!
>.> My DA page, where I attempt to art.
Great looking so far Graver , it looks alot better with the scaled down version of his wife in the background
And yeah colored pencils rock :P
That looks really, really good! It looks like it will be beautiful when its finished. Very sad and nastalgic looking. But with the background story, (Which is great btw Imperial) you sense that though the scene is sad, he is also gathering strength to continue. Can't wait to see the finished product.
i love that piece, almost as much as i love the one of Hems
in all seriousness though, this one really is amazing, it tells a story, from the picture alone, you get this impression the Imperial somehow has a longer lifespan than normal, by staring at his old watch, then the picture on the wall indicates a loss of a loved one, and you get all sad and feel sorry for Imperial, when a image cause emotions like that, it's a sign that you're doing it right!