Yay, another one! The cut-crystal class for the background is a really nice effect --looks almost like viewing into a kaleidescope ... I like the different patterns in there too, haha. The reds on the dark sides of the moon contrasts with the background very well, , I gotta fav this too,

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FAIL WHALE.

:bows: Thank you, thank you... :giggles: Seriously, though, this is one of my favorites in the series, for much the same reasons that you've mentioned. That must mean you have great taste, right?

You're welcome! Haha ... I dunno if I have great taste or not, ... I just like work people really put their best efforts into.. and it fully shows in the results, which is also another perk . And it did look like you tried your best on the series

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FAIL WHALE.

Thank you! I did put my best into these pieces, although it was several years ago, and I like to think that my best has improved considerably since then. That's part of why I'd been thinking about where to take these concepts from here -- I've been wanting to come back to them, and revisit them from the perspective of my present skillset.

A lot of it has to do with the resources used -- those are real stained glass images, provided by a company called Spectrum Glass, which makes its stained glass range available as image files to Graphic Designers for free use (or did at the time that I acquired the resource files used for these pieces), and I find them very inspiring.

As mentioned before, I also have a strong affinity for these symbols, and I find that that gives me ideas of what types of images would best represent the meaning that they have for me. That brings out the best in me, as an artist, I've found. Then, with those ideas clear in my mind, I find that working with the actual stained glass images adds a lot of depth to the relatively simple concepts involved, and I wind up exploring and improvising variations on the theme provided by the actual glass colours and designs.

The final detail, the gold "leading" is inspired by my love of cloisonne'. I'm just not a silver person; I like the look of warmer metals, and one of the things that got me into doing more artistic work, initially, was a tendency to create "web jewellery" for the websites I design. I like having accents on websites that give them a tangible feel, pleasing to an eye attuned to real-world images, not just the flat digital colours of old-style computer/technical display styles.

So yes, it is my love of the imagery, in whole and in part, that lies behind the pieces I create, and while I may not always be able to execute that as well as I would like in all of my work, I try to give my best; as a result, at least in the areas where my skill is adequate, I am usually pleased to find myself very gratified with the results of my efforts.

It was very humbling, though, to go from the digital art, at which I'd become reasonably skilled, back to sketching and figure drawing. But even there, as long as I give it my best effort, I can usually find something I like about the image, and over time, the work has paid off, and my sketches look less like they were done by a chimp trying to draw in a moving car.

Yup! The effort did show, which I'd say is one of the most vital of great work, . As well as being fond of what's drawn and how it's important to you too, . All that plays into all art, I think... if not all, then some.

The gold lining did suit the piece too--I would've thought the silver, if used, would be nice.. yet slightly off somehow, haha... The warm color of gold fit this just right.

The glass pieces were real? Ahaha, I didn't know that ! That's really something . I thought all of it's digital, .

Never really experienced going from digital art to sketching and figure drawing.. though I bet it takes a while to get accustomed to. But hey! From the sound of it, seems like there's good progess going on! Not surprised either!

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FAIL WHALE.

Ooo~! Cool pattern. Very unique and interesting =^_^=

Thank you! I'm glad you like it!

This is true jewel...Very beautiful! Congrats!

Thank you! You've actually inadvertently hit on the term I've customarily used for my web art; I've referred to the 3-d-appearing artwork which I make for my various website designs as "Web Jewellery". I think you can see why. XD That's where I started doing my digital artwork, of various types, including my digital stained glass. I'm glad you like it!