This is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!! 5+ Richard

Coming along beautifully.

Wonderful!

Stunning work, Tom! As for your 'rant', well, I have to agree with you on a lot of the points you've made. When I first thought about what I would do when I got a program like DAZ, it went along the lines of R to X rated images. Well I got DAZ and instead, I've been drawn into the Fantasy/Fae world and with the exception of 3 images I think, all of mine are G or PG rated and probably will stay that way. This may change when the Battle between the Seelie and UnSeelie Courts begins and then the Advisory will be for violence, not nudity. Great work you done and I thank you

Art? Tart? I am not so easily fooled. I know how to separate the sheeps, There are only a couple of months ago since I and my son toured the three great art galleries, Tate Britain and the Victoria and Albert Museum (the world's greatest museum of art and design) in London and the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin. In addition I have a solid classical education. So contrary to what many believe, art isn't for everyone. Not only is there an enormous difference of skill and talent, but also a difference in attitude, too many don't take the calling seriously. They are just playing they are hobbyists. Or they have lost their sense of proportions or never had any. Tom's latest work here on that other hand, could have hanged anywhere in some of the three above mentioned galleries. A work that is positively vibrant with colours. To paraphrase Kenneth Clark, "I don't know what art is, but I recognize it when I see it". I am sure many digital artists secretly dream of taking up the brush. We know now, that if we had just tried to paint directly with oil on empty canvas would be a catastrophe. Thank to Tom, we know what to do if we ever should feel tempted.

Tom, WIP is coming along in fine fashion. Your 'rant' topic is near and dear to my heart but to write in detail here is to open a box we might not be able to close again. From the time I had children (early 70s), I've wanted solid, uplifting, edifying, encouraging, enlightening things for them. I've wanted them to experience healthy physical, mental and spiritual growth. I've wanted them to grow as human beings and to see life as bigger than themselves. "The arts" can and do play a major role in molding and shaping us all along these lines. I dare say that all of us here know uplifting art from degrading trash. There are worthy art forms that appeal to our nobler instincts and not-so-worthy forms that appeal primarily to our prurient interests. We tend to "be" what we "think". Gazing at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel for an hour has a vastly different effect on a person than spending time gazing at a hard core pornographic magazine. So, as a father, I drew a line for my children. Do we need to define down what constitutes "art" just to tolerate all tastes?

Your truly a master in your painting work my friend, awesome progress my friend.

Good picture with thoughtful commentary

Light and shadow are such important parts of a painting, and I like seeing it develop in your process. I agree with the comments by yourself and others on what is art, but I still hold that intent is an important factor, and that can muddy the water in making determinations. Some of the old famous artists painted "religious" concepts that have made me curious as to what exactly was their intent and motivation. It almost seemed veiled. Vintorix said, "I am sure many digital artists secretly dream of taking up the brush." Well, I'm one, and I'm old. I have outfitted my studio and was ready to start watercolor painting. Ha! It soon became apparent that I needed to learn how to draw. :))) It also became clear that I couldn't duplicate what I do digitally with traditional media. I'm working on it. Drawing is my first step. Only the burning fire in my gut keeps me trying. I don't look to doing anything worth a museums interest, but I try to do my best, and I keep trying to learn and grow. I'm not trying to prove anything, I just want to do what I love and do it well. It is doing it that is important. Now, here at Rendersosity we have the 2D Forum, with artists with varying skills from new to experienced. It include both digital and traditional 2D art from painting to pencils. There is a growing interest and participation in traditional media, with much encouragement and learning going on. It is a small group, and I ask why? Where are the traditional artists? We would love to build a 2D Community of serious artists coming together, as well as those you do it for their own purpose. Are artists mostly solitaries that shun groups? Is there a benefit to the artist who shares and supports other artists by active interation. Tom, you are showing here that there is an interest and a need for interaction between artists on wip's. The 2D Graphics Forum needs generous artists to be a part of a group that is sincere in it's desire to promote, encourage, mentor, learn, and share art. It really makes up for the imbalance of gallery interest. If anyone is interested in promoting 2D art, digital and traditional, we would be happy to welcome interested artists to the 2D Forum. Personally, I would love to see the 2D Forum grow in participation by traditional artists, as well as digital.

wow, there are already a few very detailed and wonderful replies, so i hold my horses this time LOL and say, thanks a lot for these exciting wip seesions, tom, each day i came here i found new insights, fun and knowledge. and that makes it all the more interesting and so wonderfully alive! thank you :):)

Truly Beautiful Work!!

It's coming along very nicely. Great work so far!

Master of painting, your work it's gorgeous !!!

Quite interesting painting. Nicely done.

fantastic art work wow

Absolutely gorgeous! Fantastic art work!

What is going on here? After being out for a week I'm surpriced to see the developments. But firstly I was so troubled to here the story of 'villain'. It took at least a half an hour for me get a clear idea. Very interesting untold story.

Great again erland

When i see the first esquisse, this work has find a great way. I have lot of respect for the oil painters, it's so difficult to manipulate and prepare the good medium ! I' ve try this and it'a real nice sensation but my 2 cats are impitoyable with this... Lol. Great work and nice subject my friend ;0)

Wonderful artwork, dear Tom !!! Thank you for sharing your creative process :) 5*

Rocks are still growing, things are becoming clearer, sharper, works is coming along nicely. You are absolutely right on the tagging of work for nudity or violence, or just for the fun of it to see what happenes. It's been done several times, and the results have always been the same. The tagged posts draw way more views then the untagged. But it's an argument that's been going on forever around here, so I won't bother. As for what is and isn't art .. we can go on and on about that. So I'll just keep posting what I consider to be my digi-fiddling art ..

It's coming along just fine....!!!