[Smirtouille]

Hi,

I'm willing to work on Judith slaying Holofernes, which is a subject I find myself sensible to.
I'm liking Caravagio's treatment alot, though I like Artemisia Gentileschi just as much. I will do my version of the scene.

"The Old Testament narrates the episode of Judith who saved her city of Bethulia from the siege of Holofernes, general of the Assyrian king Nabucodonosor, by killing him after a banquet at which he had been made drink, beheading him and bringing his head to his fellow citizens (Judith ch. 10-13). The episode is illustrated in three scenes. On the left are the sleeping guards, in the centre Judith and her handmaid covering the head of the murdered Holofernes, (presumed to be a portrait of Michelangelo) with a cloth and, lastly, on the right we see the body of the mutilated Holofernes."
Source from Vatican Musem

The story happens a millenium BC, so I'll have to find some clothing from the time, make a little research.
I'm putting some references together:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e/PLATE2AX.jpg
German work from 1880



http://image05.webshots.com/5/2/18/3...9QTWyUT_fs.jpg

http://www.livius.org/a/1/mesopotamia/assyrian_soldiers.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://frysingerreunion.org/1/us/metropolitan10.jpg
http://n4trb.com/ArtHistory/images/Assyrian_K494.JPG
http://gregcookland.com/journal/uplo...Web-773736.jpg
http://www.jennyhaniver.com/uploaded...y01-797247.JPG
http://www.bible-archaeology.info/images/4.Jewe40.jpg
http://1501bc.com/files/khopesh/sick...mia_54-3cm.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e_DSC00911.jpg

[Smirtouille]

Some composition sketches.

[Smirtouille]

[zemotion]

I like how you've pulled out more and given it more space for the update, looking good!

[Smirtouille]

Thanks.
I'll stop there for now, got to go to sleep.
It's so very different than what I usually do, it feels like it's not me.

[Smirtouille]

I got rid of the blood for now, but I'll add it back later.
Any comment welcome.

[Trashy]

Smirtouille you got a pretty sweet piece here. I'm liking your choice of colors in this and hey classic subject matter Okay if there is a couple parts you might want to look at, firsts is Holofernes face.

I think you got all the tiny parts down in terms of values and for the most part the anatomy but think more about expressions. Holofernes is getting his neck sliced open. How do you think a person would look if that was happening to them? You mentioned Caravagio's versions and the other guys. Take a look at Holofernes face in these.



Pain, suffering...agony...you can literally feel it in these pieces. So I think with you you can flesh out his face more and push it some. I just don't think he is looking like he is in any sort of pain, or surprised at all.

The hand gripping the arm I'm not sure on. I'm not sure even if the body was contorted if that position would still be possible. Maybe you could get the hand reaching up toward the women's arm instead. This is a horrible paint-over but maybe it might help.

I think you got at pretty awesome piece here. Looking forward to seeing it done and hope this helps.

[Smirtouille]

Thanks Trashy. I agree with you on the lack of expression. That's what I worked on, though I had not seen your comment until now.
It is said he was drunk by the girls before he got his head cut off, so I think he didn't realize much what happened to him until he was dead. I dunno. But my piece lacks emotion, that's for sure.
I tried adding some expression with the hands and with the face of the servant.

Though I still don't like my composition. I might change it much.
Any suggestion is welcome.

[Smirtouille]

[NorthernChild]

yeah last picture is great, head of Judith is much better, much more expressive

[RIDDICK]

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