A Fantasy Piece Born from Observation

A gray classical-style bust sculpture with a part of its face missing, revealing a gold skull inside. The background features line drawings of flowers and leaves.

Project Details

What started as a simple observation and study of a Greek bust gradually evolved into a fantasy art piece. I began by working with basic greys and blacks to practice light and shadow, focusing on still-life techniques. As I continued illustrating, I organically expanded the background, envisioning the subject in a forest, which shifted the project's focus. The original Greek bust reference showed the subject from the waist up, so I added a skeletal body to create a contrast with the sculpture and made it appear as if it were breaking the stone like an outer shell. Coloring the skeleton in gold further enhanced this contrast with the stone. Then, I incorporated vines wrapping around the body to suggest that the forest was taking over the subject. To add a touch of life, I had the skeleton hold a bouquet. Throughout the process, I used books and online references for inspiration, and I did not use any generative AI.

Tools Used

  • Photoshop

  • Online References

  • Anatomy Books

Process Work

I usually start with linework, whether it’s a rough sketch or something more refined, and I make sure I capture the composition the way I want it. Next, I move on to base colors and tones. I focus on getting the overall feeling of the piece that I want to convey with color before proceeding to final renders, lights, and darks.

Line drawing of a gray classical-style bust sculpture with a part of its face missing, revealing a skull inside. The background features drawings of flowers and leaves.
A gray classical-style bust sculpture with a part of its face missing, revealing a gold skull inside. The background features line drawings of flowers and leaves.