Art: Famous Grey Nightshirt (G)

[sigune]

My latest experiment with watercolour - Snape, nightshirt courtesy of Goblet of Fire, utterly G.

Concrit very welcome.






This time I used a method totally different from my usual stuff. Instead of making a detailed pencil drawing, I did a light sketch that served just to make sure that everything would end up in the right position; then I drew just about everything with my paintbrush. The paper has a very grainy surface - it's the same as I used for The Beautiful Narcissa.

In a sense I'm pleased with the result, but not entirely. I don't know - I don't seem to be able to do really fine work with watercolour, and half the time I'm not sure just what I'm doing and what effect it's going to have. I kept adding to the background washes, and I just couldn't get them to look the way I wanted them to :(. It was difficult to figure out when to stop - I had no idea whether I would improve the picture or make it worse. I also lacked the courage to paint closer to the outline of the shirt, the flame and the candle. There is always this white line between my figures and the background :/.

...Just how often do I have to tell myself to take classes before I'm actually going to make time and really take some? :P

Comments

[sophierom.livejournal.com]

I love the candle and the use of white and gray on the nightshirt! And the stairs...I like the way the watercolor adds to the sense of twistiness.

I wish I had concrit to offer, if only because that would mean I could give something in return for the gift of this image ... but I don't. Thanks for posting this!

[sigune.livejournal.com]

You're too kind :D! But I'm very glad you like the picture.

I did so many drawings of the nightshirt ages ago, but it never looked good; whatever the picture's shortcomings, the shirt at least came out well ;).

[http://users.livejournal.com/phistolemon_/]

I didn't even know that 'precise' lines can be painted with watercolors,
that media is just hard to control, isn't it? but I like the way you use it, no need for classes, but you should still attempt one if you like :D you can only become better!

I like the way the candlelight illuminates parts of severus' figure.
I've always wondered how that looks like.. severus in a grey, long nightshirt. must be utterly cute and that pic proves it imo ;D LOL

[sigune.livejournal.com]

I'd been trying to draw Snape + nightshirt for ages, but I never got any results I'd care to display, until now :).

I do think it's possible to be more precise with watercolour - look at the lovely, fine work of mneomosyne at mnem_art! But I need to figure out how to do it, and in my own way. Watercolour is certainly much more difficult to control than my Staedtler pens, and it's versatile too, so there is a lot to learn about it for me :).

Thank you!

[giant-ant.livejournal.com]

I love the twisting stairway, it certainly conveys depth in the picture. V. strong.

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The stairway caused me some anxiety, but I'm happy with how it came out :).

[inevitably-grey.livejournal.com]

Okay. I'm giving you a challenge now. Will you accept it?

Well. I want you to go away from your comfort zone and draw something in abstract, vague lines (double-meaning, faint things that may imply something deeper [for instance, there's a hint of joy at the front of the painting, at the surface, but in the distance, behind the surface, there's a house burning, or something else that implies double-meaing and theme to the poem]).

You don't have to do this but I think it would be mighty interesting (for both me and you).

I liked your play with light colours at the front, and darker at the back in this painting. Interesting.

Best,
James.

[inevitably-grey.livejournal.com]

poem = painting.

What's up with me? *Scratches head*

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

I really like the sparse use of color here, and the curving stairways in the background.

Take a class, it will be fun! It is harder to get the initiative and courage to start the class than to continue taking a class. It will be worth it if you decide to do it.

[sigune.livejournal.com]

I think so too... I'm looking for one close to home - maybe I can find a summer school or something...

I'm incorrigible, aren't I? Here I am, taking up watercolour in order to learn about more than black, white, red and grey, and I find that I am happiest using only one or two colours *g*. I adore Payne's Grey. I don't need anything else! ;P

[zazaone.livejournal.com]

En ouvrant ton post et en découvrant ton fanart, je me suis exclamée toute seule devant mon ordi et tout fort : "Oh que c'est beau !!!"

Qu'est ce que je préfère ? C'est difficile à dire... l'obscurité qui semble dégouliner des escaliers, la clarté de la chandelle, l'air "rogue" de Severus avec une pointe d'inquiétude qui semble apparaître, et la touche amusante de la chemise de nuit pour homme (et voui je me souviens d'en avoir vu de telles sauf qu'elles étaient moins longues)

Bref, un régal pour les yeux !
Merci misssss !!!! ♥

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Merci beaucoup, Zaza!

Oui, je sais que la chemise est plutôt longue, mais le problème c'est que je craigne que notre cher Severus n'a pas de très belles jambes ;P. Je ne voulais donc pas les montrer; en plus, je pensais qu'il aurait l'air un peu ridicule. Il est plus majestueux en chemise extra longue :D...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_vocalion_/]

Really, really lovely. The pale yellow illumination of the candlelight being the only color besides the black, white and greys is what first attracts my eye. And I like Snape's expression -- the knitted brows.

My only criticism would be that it wasn't painted exclusively for me. :-D

[sigune.livejournal.com]

We'll have to do something about that ;P... I still owe you an icon, too - I have forgotten. I just want it to be good (though I doubt I can top the pineapple hat *g*).

I don't remember what came first - the urge to paint the nightshirt, or the urge to use precisely these colours. In any case I cheated: Snape would use a lit wand, not a candle. But a wand wouldn't have this warm glow, so... :)

I'm glad you like it! :D

[summerborn.livejournal.com]

Wow, I really like how this turned out! He looks perfect.

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thanks a lot :D!

[gnatkip.livejournal.com]

This is lovely!

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

[veradee.livejournal.com]

I like it very much, and I don't mind the white lines at all. Actually, I had to look for them, because to me they just look like another fold of his nightshirt respectively hair that is highlighted by the candlelight. I like the way the candle offers only some light so that Snape's contours are slightly blurred.

[sigune.livejournal.com]

I think I'm still a bit - troubled with issues of realism and whether I want it or not. It's not like this is supposed to look like a photo, so maybe I just oughtn't to be bothered with a bit of white contour :D. In the meantime I've learnt a new trick for that, by the way - but I'll say something about it when my current picture is ready :). (*is bouncy, stuck at work when she wants to PAINT and finish picture*)

Thank you!

[kerrymdb.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love this! The starkness of the black, white and greys is beautiful! *adds to memories*

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks! :D

It's all grey actually (apart from the bit of yellow, obviously) - isn't it wonderful how many shades you can get from one watercolour paint? *loves Payne's Grey*

[gina-r-snape.livejournal.com]

This is quite striking. His hair, face, nightshirt are all wonderful. The glow of the candle is soft and delicate.

But the stairs? It looks like a ledge with a steep drop on either side!

I think you've maintained interesting control of the brush and it's impressive. But if there was one thing to work on, those stairs would be it.

Looking forward to more!

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

It's true, the stairs look more as if they are part of the Mines of Moria than of Hogwarts... I took a bit of artistic licence there ;P. I just didn't want the surroundings to look friendly - and I'm so in love with that grey paint *g*.

[seaislewitch.livejournal.com]

I like the mood of the scene, and I think the medium makes it.

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Yes, it does... That is why, when I have an image in mind, I immediately know which medium it requires too; this would have looked so different in inks, pencils or crayon. It's fun! :D

[alitheia7.livejournal.com]

I love this! The mood is perfectly captured. I love the steps and the glare of the candle.

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's rather exciting to explore the things this medium allows me to do and that inks don't :).

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

i, too. love the candle. and also Snape's left sleeve. I think you've done some fine detail here. )

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The candle and the sleeve are very much examples of things that are impossible to do with ink and prompted me to try watercolour in the first place. Glad you like them! :)

[sscrewdriver.livejournal.com]

It's fascinating to see the way your work is progressing. I love the background here, and the way it melts into the circle of light around the candle. The sweeping stairs really draw the eye.

Not only that, but your artwork was on the icon of the issue of snapenews that I clicked to get here. Double sigune!

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

I went for a mix of the monochrome improvisation thingy I posted a while ago and the carefully thought-out, hoping to combine the best of both. I do like handling a good brush, and the best way to exploit its qualities is to use them for themselves and not in the service of a line, I guess. It does take more confidence though, and I'm aching to exercise more :D.

[odogoddess.livejournal.com]

*adores* This is lovely. I love his nightgown, the candle and his expression. Very Snape. You managed to make him recognizably Snape, clearly annoyed, but also just totally cuddly. :)

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)!

I was so disappointed when we didn't get to see Alan Rickman in a nightshirt in the GoF film - I've been trying to draw my own Snape in a grey gown ever since :P...

[sylvanawood.livejournal.com]

It is so incredibly interesting to be able to watch you develop your technique. For me, your drawings all are perfect, but seeing how you struggle for improvement makes me look at the art differently, more thoroughly. Thank you for that!

I love the lightness of the picture, the almost ghostliness. The only thing that surprised/amused me is the length of the nightshirt. The men's nightshirts I know all end shortly below the knees.

[sigune.livejournal.com]

LOL! I know, but I'm no amateur of thin, pale, hairy legs, and I thought a longer nightshirt would look more dignified :P. And wizard fashion is different from Muggle wear anyway, right? :D

Thank you!

[nemesister.livejournal.com]

Awww, cute, but I really am in love with those stairs. He looks quite young, must be the candlelight. :D

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Hee. I think it's the lack of detail in his face that does it... I just wanted to keep it simple :).

Thank you!

[mistress-kabuki.livejournal.com]

Here via hogwarts_today...

He's so cute! I don't know how you got the precise lines with watercolor cause it never came out looking so clean for me. I'm particuarly fond if his dangling hand, his hair and face, and those feet ...

Nice use of lighting too, with the candle and the twisting stairs. Very creepy, gothic atmosphere as befitting Severus. Lovely piece, thanks for posting this!

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much!

The precise lines are painted wet on dry, and I do have a very good brush - it's a large petit-gris (no. 10) with a very fine point. I'm exceedingly fond of it :).

I have never been very good at the dark-and-light stuff, and when I work with inks I make them flat. But watercolour sort of urges you to play with light, and that's what I tried here. It was fun :D.

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Ah, Harry. He still has a lot to learn, and only one book in which to do it! :-)

Snape's humanity is the main reason why I like him. The nightshirt is a nice extra ;P.

Thanks!

Odd

[bettyboop-comic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, so I figured out some sorta rss feed type thingie, so you'll be bugged by yours truly a lot more often from now on.
Decent work there. Typical of you to be so insecure about it all, but it looks to me like possibly the best stab at watercolours. The fast and loose approach to the preliminary work seems like a good approach.
Keep it up, it looks great.
See you tomorrow.
--nout

Re: Odd

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Thanks! This is more 'painterly', isn't it? I have long been interested in sumi-e too, but you have to be a deft hand at painting, and very confident, in order to do without any sketching whatsoever. I hope to get there one day, though :).

Bug away ^_^. You know I always like to hear what you have to say. Mostly ;P.

[orpheus-samhain.livejournal.com]

LOL the nightshirt! I love the nightshirt!

[sigune.livejournal.com]

There should be more pictures of Snape in his nightshirt, don't you think? ;P

[thirteen-ravens.livejournal.com]

Wow, the stairs! Snape's expression! Cool! :D

Sorry...bit of a concise comment here... will comment more at some point! :)

[sigune.livejournal.com]

*g*

Thank you :)!

[lampblack.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is so subtle; I love it!

[sigune.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it :).