Day 3 - Simon and Avon playing chess

[vilakins]

This is probably cheating because I didn't do this all today--far from it in fact. Still, I spent a couple of hours finishing it off today (things like light, shading, general polishing and tweaking) so I'm counting it as daily art.

This is a long-overdue charity artwork for executrix who asked for a desktop picture of Simon Tam and Kerr Avon playing chess. I did it in colour just in case and also did the lilac-washed version executrix ordered. She got the full size; here are smaller versions.

Simon and Avon playing chess






LJ-hosted pictures aren't always showing up properly (just as a strip or very pixellated) so they're also on Flickr if you can't see this, here and here.

My NaArMaMo 2011 Gallery is here; go up a level for the others.

Comments

[watervole]

Nice picture! I can see how those two would really enjoy the challenge of playing each other.

[executrix]

It's the Very Smart People Who Risked Everything For The Women They Loved and Got a Very Unpleasant Surprise tournament.

[vilakins]

Thank you! They would, and as executrix said when I sent her the first draft, their differing levels of caution show too.

[corvuscornix]

Oh, well done! I usually have to struggle to see why Avon is considered attractive by so many people, but I can't seem to stop looking at his face in this one. He looks like he is in such a good place, completely absorbed by the game.

You're making me curious about the outcome of the game.

[vilakins]

I think Avon is like Vila: he can look absolutely stunning but is usually rather plain.

Avon's lost more pieces but he could still play to a check or stalemate. Or make a huge mistake and be slaughtered. ;-)

[executrix]

Just wanted to report back--I .bmp'd the one in color and made it my desktop, and it looks fabbyboo.

corvuscornix: it's the voice.

[vilakins]

Cool! I wondered if you'd like the coloured version. :-D

It wouldn't work as a desktop as a jpg? I'm sure my desktop is. Does it fit the screen properly? Please feel free to ask for any changes. :-) As I said in the email, I think Avon's hair should be darker (very easy change).

[executrix]

It fits perfectly! I'm pretty sure that my desktop has to be a .bmp. I did think Avon's hair looks a bit light, but maybe this is in my Rebel's Disciple 'verse and he gets healthful outdoor recreation (or patrols) at Gauda Prime base.

[vilakins]

I will change that and send you another image, no probs! It's very easy. :-) Did you want png (big but very detailed) or jpg to do the conversion from?

[communicator.livejournal.com]

Brilliant. What a beautiful Simon.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Well, he is rather!

[miss-next.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous! I love the way you've handled the light. :-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That part took a while, getting the central source and its effects right, and I can still see things that aren't quite right. But I could fiddle for ever.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

OH that's lovely... mind you, looks like Avon's losing :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

He plays less cautiously and with less care for his pieces. ;-) But he could still win though he's at a disadvantage.

[entropy-house.livejournal.com]

OOOh, yes, Simon is particularly lovely here, so intent! Avon looks a bit resigned- I expect he's being EMO. :^)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

He's lost too many pieces, but that's Avon for you! :-D

[gair.livejournal.com]

Those are absolutely stunning.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thank you! They took so long and it's a huge weight off my mind that they're done.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

Well done, both versions! I really like the effect of the light.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks! getting the light and shadow right (well, almost right) to suit the source took a while!

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

Nicely done. :D

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :-)

[ultrapsychobrat.livejournal.com]

Oooh, this is beautiful--exquisite work.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I spent a lot of time on it though and I've tweaked it more since posting that.

[quabazaa.livejournal.com]

THIS IS SO ADORABLE I CAN'T EVEN SAY!!!! XD

You've really captured them both so well, it rocks!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

You know them? :-D Something more we have in common!

[saki101.livejournal.com]

Thank you for remembering!

I can see how the chess pieces and the board would take a long time! The shading and highlights in the hair are lovely. I'm always intrigued at how different a piece can be depending on the use of colour. I think I prefer the lilac-washed version although in the colour-version I like the green tones of the shirts.

(Apologies if this comment appears twice; I started it and then it disappeared, so I rewrote it. I guess LJ is still being a little peculiar.)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And don't worry, I only got this comment once. :-) LJ is still playing up with images, that's for sure, which is why I'm hosting them in Flickr as well.

I had to abandon my first attempt at the chess pieces, but they worked when I made them much simpler. The recipient finally went for the colour version although she asked for the lilac one, but hey, she can swap it in when she needs a desktop change.

Thanks so much for your comments!