Cain

[johanson]

Hello Everyone,
This is a design for the biblical character, Cain.

http://www.andrewjohanson.com/Cain.jpg

If you get a second, let me know what you think.

Thanks,

-andrew

[lavhoes]

The texture, concept...hell, the whole execution is astounding. This is an awesome piece.

But tell me...why Cain? I know a little about his biblical background, but I think it'd be cool if you showed us how you came to name this guy after him.

[heiesuke]

dam now that's a far out idea, nice texture

[plastic]

very cool interpretation.

[natethegrate]

really nice texture and design at all,i also like the sketchy,rough painting...

[johanson]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words.

lavhoes: You’re right, I probably should clarify why he is called Cain. I used the myth of Cain and Able as a starting point for this character. This is my take on what Cain would look like after God punished him. Here’s a little clip from the story:

“Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast cursed me from the ground; and from thy face I shall be hidden; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will slay me." 15 Then the LORD said to him, "Not so! If any one slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who came upon him should kill him.”

So in my image, the stone on his face is the mark God put on him. After years of wandering, the weight of the stone grows too great for Cain, so he bends over to support himself with his hands. When he bends over, his back begins to turn to stone. As time passes, the stone spreads, until all that was left is green eyes staring out from the rock.

One of the big changes I made, is instead of being cursed from the ground, he is cursed to it. Cain used to be a farmer, so the original curse is interpreted as meaning that the earth will no longer give him food. Being cursed TO the earth, gave me an excuse to use the stone element.
Well, sorry for rambling on so long. It’s just that this is a character that I’ve really come to love, so when anyone expresses interest, they get an earful.

Later,

-andrew


Remember, all crits are welcome. Thanks.

[JeniThus]

Interesting rock texture for the stone elements of the character. The expression is one that lends itself to a sympathic emotive response from the viewer. I have to confess, however, that I am longing for some sense of scale, or environment.
That's not to say that the character cannot function without it, but it might be nice to see what the environment lends to it.
Hope to see more work in the future.

[julie cheung]

interesting interpretation i think.. especially the stone textures looks really good!

[Shadowkiller]

Really cool like how you mix a human with a statue creates a very cool perspective. Great Job

[lavhoes]

Originally posted by johanson
*snip name history*

That's bloody brilliant. I figured there was a really great explanation.

Awesome, awesome work.

[Horus]

I love it. great color and texture. Very imaginative interpretation. My only concern is how much the stone on his face resembles the pagan symbol of Thor's Hammer. It just breaks the connection to the biblical Cain for me.

Thats all,

thnx for the post,

Billy

[shadow]

I really like this. Ive always loved the more fantastic image interpretations, i'd love to see your versions of the cherubim who were set at the gates of eden

[Lad]

Now that you've explained your interpretation its one great peace of art.

[Goat_Lord]

The rock on his chin looks like the symbol for Odin..... interesting...

[Wohr Path]

That is a really cool concept! the rock texture you have is great, your interpretation of that passage is an interesting one for sure. Though I believe that it refers to God taking away his ability to farm the land heh (cain was a farmer),
But Biblical descriptions are a great way to draw inspiration because they can be interpreted so many ways. It is pretty disturbing to look at, very believable. Great work!!!

[johanson]

Thanks again for all the response. It really makes me happy to hear what you all have to say.

JeniThus: Good to see you here at Concept Art. I’m really looking forward to dinner on Monday. I totally hear what you’re saying about a lack of scale and environment. I always pictured him as being twice the size of a regular person, but there’s just nothing in this drawing to even hint at that.

Julie cheung and Shadowkiller: Thanks for the encouragement.

lavhoes: I’m glad that you liked the back story. I checked out your “I’m going to learn how to sketch” thread. Great project. Keep it up.

Horus: Thank you very much (both for your compliments, and constructive criticism). You’re right, I was referencing Thor’s Hammer for the chin. My idea was that maybe his wanderings took him to northern Europe, where he finally solidified. There he acted as inspiration for the cultures that developed around him. The earliest of these peoples erected stone monoliths around the countryside in his honor. Later, the Norse people find in him the image for one of their most powerful gods, Thor. Anyway, that’s what I was thinking. But let me know if that explanation doesn’t work for you. Maybe it could use a little rethinking.
By the way, I checked out your website. Nice stuff. I especially liked your 3-d work. It’s obvious that you’ve done your homework.

Shadow: I might just look into the cherubim. That could be a lot of fun. Thanks.

Lad: Thanks

Goat_Lord: Thanks for the response… (see my note to Horus for more on the chin).

Wohr Path: You’re completely right about the curse taking away his ability to farm the land. I knew that I was taking a chance by changing something as big as that. Hopefully it still works. Thanks for writing.

[DanSTC]

Interesting take on judeo-christian mythos. :cool:

[stormy]

This is an amazing interpretation of the curse of Cain.