SciFi and Fantasy Art: Dreamcatcher

The blue tones really invoke serenity - Like how her smile is ambivolent, not agreeing nor disagreeing with the outcome of your dreams - lovely tones, and soft, flowing lines - most evocative of dreams - a pleasing, dreamy piece of artwork - congrats on the Mod’s Choice - maXine

Ingrid Haugland replies: "Thank you I’m glad you liked the colours, which was my main focus when I painted this picture."

Not only does this piece looked rushed and not too well thought out, but it also appears as if you slapped together a few random cultures (Native American hairpiece, African facial features) and then passed it through as fantasy by putting on the token pointy ears that are guaranteed to get the piece accepted into elfwood. Add the blurring of the ears and hair to make it mystical and a few brain-dead moderators and one gets a modpick. Whoopty do. I don’t even like coming onto this site much anymore because there is such an inequity as to what gets highlighted around here. There are too many elf portraits winning awards and not enough complicated, well-thought out pieces.

Ingrid Haugland replies: "You know what, I had never actually expected to get a moderator’s choice for this picture, it does not compare to the fantastic pictures out here by far. I cannot paint like that, yet. But I’ll tell you this, this picture is not rushed. I have spent much time on it, tried new techniques, and did the best I could, with my current ability. Mod’s choice is a great encouragement for the inexperienced artist to one’s best, every time. And isn’t that part of what Mod’s choice is about? Encouragement? So one eventually dares to try new things, evolve and manage to create those complicated, well-thought out pictures you like so much?"

oh well done to the above - and thank you ! o_O I am the mod that gave MC - and you have so thoughtfully stated what an MC is all about - we are not anonymous ’brain-dead’ people at all - but people who see a great deal of art on this site, and give credit, encouragement and highlight where it is due - maXine

Ingrid Haugland replies: "Thanks. So you’re a moderator as well as a writer? I’m currently reading about Schonenbaum & Co. You hooked me at chapter one "

A mods! Congrats! You actually got it on my birthday!!! Yup, I fill 14 today And strange, I got a dreamcatcher from my friend Silje Eide (who is also here at elfwood)....
I love the blue colour scheme in this, and she has a very beautiful face! And amazing feeling too... Awesome work!!!!

Ingrid Haugland replies: "Thank you. What a coincidence! You better hang your dreamcatcher near you bed, so only the nice dreams reach you Happy birthday! "

Congrats on Mod’s - she really scares me xD Especially her eyes freak me out! But I love the blue color scheme and the dreamcatcher’s details - amazing work!

Ingrid Haugland replies: "Thank you!"

I too have to say, you really said it there! You really got what a Mods Choice is all about! (Am too a Moderator) It’s maybe not the best in the world, but it’s a good picture with feeling in it! It does look dreamy and mystical too, like you wanted it to! ^^ I like that feeling in it! And how it all goes ’round in a circle like that. Draws the viewer in. Don’t care about the folks who can’t be nice. There’s always some of them out there.

Ingrid Haugland replies: "I know. Thank you "

To dear Mugafug -- I don’t think you understand what art really is. You’re obviously not an artist, or if you are, you aren’t brave enough to subject your art to ridicule by getting an account here -- which is honestly fine, I understand, but also gives you less of a right to criticize. -- and if you want to criticize someone, go find the mod, don’t waste your time here. Though I’m sure Ms. Haugland is delighted to have a mods, she didn’t ask to have her piece highlighted.

You could do to take the advice of Thumper’s mother. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

Ok, now that I’ve gotten that off my chest. Great piece. I love the whirlpool affect of the hair, and the way the spiraling affect draws attention to that beautifully designed dream catcher there. Nice use of contrast as well. I like how you made the lady’s right eye (our left) alight despite that realistically it would be in shadow like that side of her face. It gives a real sense of the magic. Hmm...but looking at this for a bit, perhaps if you blended that eye with just a bit more of the shadow, it might feel more cohesive with the rest of the piece. --just a thought. It’s already a winner, as we all can see.

I love the painterly affects that give this its whirlpool feel, --the smudginess of the ear and the featheryness of the feather. I’ve always sort of associated dreams with water, and the way you drew the hair really captures that feeling.

All in all I approve the mod’s stamp of approval.

Ingrid Haugland replies: "I appreciate that I see that I should have put more shadow on the eye to be realistic, but I really wanted to make it bright as the stars, too. Maybe if I had put more shadow on the eye, but left the highlights brighter...? I will keep your advice in mind for later. Thanks "

hey Ingrid - thanx for having a read of my little ’saga’ - and a great compliment to know that I have ’hooked’ a reader - and you even managed to spell S~ name correctly *lol* - maXine

This is really cool. I love the unique face like someone else mentioned, and the whole flowing, blue atmosphere makes me think she is in the ocean--therefore a mermaid--or in space. And the dreamcatcher backstory is really cool, it goes with it perfectly.

Ingrid Haugland replies: "Thank you, thank you "

WOW!
It´s too cool to be true! What a great idea! I just love it!

Ingrid Haugland replies: "Thanks! Glad you like it "