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Adoration of the Magi – finalists

by Alex Ledante January 17, 2019, 1:39 am 329 Views 18 Votes 30 Comments

Most of you have been following my progress on the magi, but if you haven’t then this is my version of the Adoration of the Magi, which is a classical theme. I have attempted to do a piece after the manner of the romantic painters…

#1 high contrast

this version has highly saturated colors and a dynamic range of values

Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

January 17, 2019 at 10:42 am

They look perfect for me!

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 12:54 am
  
  I am glad to hear you like them
  
  1
HistoryGal says:

January 17, 2019 at 6:07 pm

The colors adds to their power and to their statute in their society. Very artistic.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 12:59 am
  
  Respected members of the community, or was Jerusalem like spring break for magi?
  
  1
Carol DM says:

January 17, 2019 at 9:47 pm

Nice with the saturation.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 1:01 am
  
  Every now and again, I will actually desaturate a piece just to keep you on your toes…

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#2 rough sketch

this is really just a loose value study, to determine if I have a good flow of lights and darks

Deepizzaguy says:

January 17, 2019 at 7:28 am

Nice image of the three male characters.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 25, 2019 at 2:57 am
  
  whoops, I missed this one!
  - Deepizzaguy says:
    
    January 28, 2019 at 7:00 am
    
    That is okay. We are all busy working..
    
    1
    - Alex Ledante says:
      
      January 29, 2019 at 5:29 am
      
      yeah, but I still don’t like doing it
      - Deepizzaguy says:
        
        January 30, 2019 at 6:42 am
        
        I agree with you since those PCH Games are average.
        
        1
HistoryGal says:

January 17, 2019 at 6:09 pm

Great beginning before a finished product which I hope is the top one.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 25, 2019 at 2:59 am
  
  I am sorry I just caught this reply…
  
  1
  - HistoryGal says:
    
    January 25, 2019 at 4:26 am
    
    No problem Alex. Even I miss some comments…
    
    1
    - Alex Ledante says:
      
      January 30, 2019 at 7:00 am
      
      and now I don’t feel so bad…
      
      1

#3 impasto

while I like the thick painterly brushstrokes, this isn't the style the romantic painters used...

Deepizzaguy says:

January 17, 2019 at 7:29 am

It still looks great on the characters.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 1:01 am
  
  how kind of you to say!
  - Deepizzaguy says:
    
    January 19, 2019 at 6:55 am
    
    You are very welcome once again.
Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

January 17, 2019 at 10:44 am

This is different but still impressive.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 1:03 am
  
  I like that look, but not for this piece
  - Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:
    
    January 18, 2019 at 1:15 am
    
    I think I agree with you.
    
    1
    - Alex Ledante says:
      
      January 20, 2019 at 3:48 am
      
      but when I find the piece that this look will compliment, I’m set!
      
      1
      - Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:
        
        January 20, 2019 at 4:39 am
        
        The person who must especially respect our work is ourselves.
        
        1
HistoryGal says:

January 17, 2019 at 6:08 pm

It still looks OK but not as defined as the previous one.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 1:04 am
  
  impasto and defined are pretty much mutually exclusive
  
  1

#4 watercolor

this reminds me of a watercolor study that the masters would do before starting on the final piece

mavic123456 says:

January 17, 2019 at 2:03 pm

This is the one … because of the faces can be seen clearly

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 1:05 am
  
  that’s what I thought…
  
  1
HistoryGal says:

January 17, 2019 at 6:08 pm

Great in between picture.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 1:06 am
  
  watercolor roughs are the analog previz
  
  1
Alex Ledante says:

January 23, 2019 at 5:12 am

I love the term “channel surfing”

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What do you think?

18 Points

Christmas exotic fantasy illustration Jerusalem kings magi nativity painting xmas

Written by Alex Ledante

30 Comments

Alex Ledante says:

January 20, 2019 at 3:55 am

I had a lot of fun with this one, glad to hear you like it, too…

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 25, 2019 at 3:18 am
  
  not my usual forte, but I like to expand my horizons
  
  1
Alex Ledante says:

January 19, 2019 at 4:20 am

for me art is primarily light on form
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 20, 2019 at 3:54 am
  
  whoops, I did not. so many comments…
  
  1
  - Alex Ledante says:
    
    January 25, 2019 at 3:01 am
    
    that doesn’t work for me, if there is more than one comment on the same page
    
    1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 25, 2019 at 3:02 am
  
  I do more than one thing, but light on form is the foundation of my work…
  
  1
lado says:

January 18, 2019 at 8:57 am

As always excellent work dear friend

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 19, 2019 at 4:21 am
  
  Thanks again my alpine amigo
vidocka says:

January 17, 2019 at 11:04 pm

Very well done … I like the first one

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 1:08 am
  
  I will have a poll for you soon
Carol DM says:

January 17, 2019 at 9:48 pm

The first one is my pick with the dynamic colors.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 1:09 am
  
  I forgot to do an HDR version…
HistoryGal says:

January 17, 2019 at 6:10 pm

Great composition, great assembly of magis and also fantastic work from beginning to end. That is what I like to see and I am sure all of Virily also appreciates it.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 2:35 am
  
  That is the nicest thing I’ve read all year, and that’s saying something since everything here is complimentary…
  
  1
DocAndersen says:

January 17, 2019 at 12:05 pm

Ok now my bias is showing. I love the watercolor image the most, it isn’t even close IMHO.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 2:40 am
  
  This isn’t a code review; you’re allowed a bias when it comes to art. In fact, I believe that’s the foundation of taste…
Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:

January 17, 2019 at 10:57 am

I have failed!

Fail to find weaknesses or something bad, less or unproperly from this work, and only find everything good there!

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 2:42 am
  
  Just because you prefer one piece to the others doesn’t make the others bad or weak; it simply means you find one to be superior. Artwork isn’t like children, I have favorites…
  
  1
  - Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:
    
    January 18, 2019 at 11:22 am
    
    A good explanation and very illustrates how a set of paradigms work.
    
    1
    - Alex Ledante says:
      
      January 19, 2019 at 4:21 am
      
      I have some friends with kids and I wind them up about having a favorite
      
      1
      - Albert Herdianto Widjojo says:
        
        January 19, 2019 at 9:16 am
        
        Yep! That is the model and mode of our lives on Earth.
        
        1
Deepizzaguy says:

January 17, 2019 at 7:31 am

Fantastic work on the three male characters.

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 2:44 am
  
  I am trying to indicate personality like a portrait artist would…
  - Deepizzaguy says:
    
    January 18, 2019 at 7:29 am
    
    That is good enough for me as well as yourself.
    
    1
    - Alex Ledante says:
      
      January 19, 2019 at 4:27 am
      
      I try to expand my skillset every chance I get
      - Deepizzaguy says:
        
        January 22, 2019 at 1:34 am
        
        I like that view of your work.
        
        1
Pamela Moresby says:

January 17, 2019 at 7:15 am

Fabulous art work, really well done

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 2:45 am
  
  I am glad to hear you like my version of this classic theme
Perfectfeeds says:

January 17, 2019 at 4:55 am

Superb colour image friend . A special photo

1
- Alex Ledante says:
  
  January 18, 2019 at 2:47 am
  
  Long have I labored to make art that might be thought of as special, and I am gratified to hear you think I’ve reached that point

Adoration of the Magi – finalists

#1 high contrast

#2 rough sketch

#3 impasto

#4 watercolor

What do you think?

Written by Alex Ledante

30 Comments

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30 Comments

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