The Rhinestone Cowboy, 2022
Oil on canvas
30 x 40 inches
INSPIRATION
This painting was a labor of love, a deeply personal project that I undertook with great enthusiasm. The striking image of Dr. Doom was the initial inspiration for my artistic vision, but I felt compelled to add my own creative flourishes to the original composition. In particular, I chose to reimagine Dr. Doom's iconic green cape in a bold new palette of white, a choice that I felt gave the character a fresh and contemporary look. Additionally, I added the Infinity Gauntlet to his hand, emphasizing his imposing and dominant presence. Finally, I opted to replace the original background with a vivid and striking cosmic space void, a change that I felt would infuse the painting with a sense of energy and dynamism. Though the original artwork was a masterpiece in its own right, I sought to put my own stamp on the piece, using a bolder, more colorful palette to create a work that was uniquely my own.
close-ups
Trying to keep the shine and look for his steel helmet was somewhat of an obstacle to illustrate, but the helmet does embody a worn and rusted look.
Color reflection from the Gauntlet and stones was something I tried to portray on the helmet. Having the colors on the helmet to emphasize shape and form.
The gauntlet and its jewels are the main light source for this artwork. Utilizing the brightness to create shadows of depth and perspective in the artwork.
The Gauntlet, the helmet, the robe and the cosmic void demonstrate how all these different elements can stand separately but can still work well together.
A detailed shot showing the vigorous colors radiating throughout the armor and his cape.
Whenever the Infinity Stones are illustrated they're always shaped the same. These stones were purposely designed in a unique shape to differentiate amongst each other.
The purpose of this close up is to show the minor details in each jewel. Also to portray the simplicity of how dark and light tones cohesively compliment each other in order to create a shine effect.
the process
Conclusively, this artwork began as something of an experiment. It was a carefree project to experiment with multiple hues and tones. Another element which was most enjoyable during the process was the freedom of not using a reference photo. Pure devotion along with some trial and error is what aided this design to becoming an energetic luminescent piece. Instead of following a certain procedure, being able to add, remove, or adjust any component was a huge motivation for completing this painting. Overall, this painting taught me that stepping out of your comfort zone can be frightening but can definitely lead to great outcomes.
