Giftart for Leyna55!

[yuletart-mods.livejournal.com]

Title: Game Player, General, Musician, Courtier
Gift for: leyna55
Artist: zephre
Rating:: G
Fandom: The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett
Character: Francis Crawford
Warnings: none
Artist notes: The pose and clothes owe much to the mid-16th century portrait paintings of Agnolo Bronzino. The spinet is based on decorative models from periods far too late for Lymond; I trust that a bit of artistic license here can be excused. The chess pieces are based on a museum set from the Tudor period. The hanging on the wall is the emblem of the Crawford Family of Scotland. Many thanks to my mom for her help during an enjoyable few hours spent skimming our favorite moments of the series in search of descriptions of Francis. ;)
Summary: Being a portrait of Francis Crawford of Lymond.

Comments

[bossymarmalade.livejournal.com]

That's a lot of impressive research! I like the way you did what looks like mother-of-pearl inlay on the spinet, and the mannered pose for Francis; the slightly scratchy linework reminds me of some issues of Sandman that are set in these sort of Ye Olde England periods. Great job!

[zephre.livejournal.com]

thanks very much! :)

[venturous1.livejournal.com]

wonderful, "mystery artist"!!! it's really wonderfully composed, fabulous details, and a wonderfully present subject. This makes me want to know more about him.

[zephre.livejournal.com]

excellent - I can recommend the series wholeheartedly! :D
thanks!

[aybara-max.livejournal.com]

what a beautiful style you have, I love the elegant hands and face, and the gorgeous clothes and half turned pose... WELL DONE!!!

[zephre.livejournal.com]

thank you very much!

[unithien-rerith.livejournal.com]

So, I've never heard of the series before, but I am really impressed with this, especially all the extra research you put in. The pose, to me, especially is excellent, because it's one that feels familiar, and therefore *right* for a portrait, because I've seen similar poses in classical portraits in art galleries. Wonderful!

[zephre.livejournal.com]

thank you so much!

[alouette-sparra.livejournal.com]

The amount of research you put into this definitely shows (especially with the layout and the pose; it is very reminiscent of historical portraiture). Very well executed, and I am digging all the little details like the illumination of the book pages.

[zephre.livejournal.com]

thanks very much!

[echelon-ga-l.livejournal.com]

His position and his left hand are so precious, it's really pleasant to watch again an again.

[zephre.livejournal.com]

aw, thanks! I <3 that hand, too.

[leyna55.livejournal.com]

Wow! First, thank you so very much for painting Lymond - of all my favourite characters he is the earliest and most beloved of them all, and I thought there was very little hope of anyone choosing to paint him. I'm very happy to be wrong (Eeeee!)

Lymond looks wonderful! I love that portrait by Bronzino - excellent choice for him, particularly his elegant pose and beautiful hands.

I'm very impressed by your research, and I love the way you incorporated all the symbols representing his various aspects and passions (such a typical Tudor portrait concept, too, to be painted with those sort of symbols): his music (I love the spinet - Francis would certainly chose an instrument that looked beautiful too), the little illuminated book, the charts (for all his travels as well as his military prowess), the family crest (his family ties are so important to him).

The chess set is perfect (with all its many associations with both Francis and the books) and I love the way he is holding the king. Thank you!

[zephre.livejournal.com]

When I saw Lymond listed on your sign-up I almost didn't bother reading the rest of it! ;) I knew he was the one.
I'm so happy you enjoyed the work. It was a joy to draw.

[zephre.livejournal.com]

thank you!

[kaiserkuchen.livejournal.com]

Am much unfamiliar with the series, but I've got to say, ace work on all the little details of the pic!

[zephre.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

Yes, great use of reference... it reminds me so much of the 16th century Holbein works. Very cool!

[zephre.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[rasetsunyo.livejournal.com]

I recognise it! Beautiful work. :)

[zephre.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[gardendoor.livejournal.com]

I love the details of his outfit, and the composition of the scene. Well done!

[zephre.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[glockgal.livejournal.com]

It's like a pop-art version of a classical Dutch-style painting, which I kinda totally love. The details in all the things on the desk, as well as this outfit is just gorgeous. I love the sensitivity in his facial features, so very pretty, so very delicate. His pose is so classic, right down to holding the chesspiece in some sort of symbolic gesture. So well done!

[zephre.livejournal.com]

LOL, what a great way to describe it, I love that.
Thanks very much!

[elynross.livejournal.com]

I really like this, particularly his garment.

[zephre.livejournal.com]

thank you very much!

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

I love the thought and research that you put into this--it has the same feel as a portrait from that time period. :}

[zephre.livejournal.com]

thanks very much!