Oberon & Puck

[oglzogl]

This is Oberon and Puck from Midsummer Nights Dream. Hope you like..

http://www.toddpowelson.com/images/Oberon-Puck-Color.jpg

.. I am kind of torn myself. I added the moon, more leaves and lighting to the background but decided that I liked simplicity in the background more. Still cannot help but think something else should go back there... and then I think I like the simplicity. It is an endless cycle.

All in all I am happy with it but maybe I will just look at it for a bit and then make up my mind. For now though, I'll say "it's finished" (cause I like the simple background... or do I?).

Thought I might add a close up too because it is painful loosing detail.

http://www.toddpowelson.com/images/Oberon-Puck-Heads2.jpg

[dansadad]

Dear Oglzogl,
I'm really happy to see a painting inspired by Shakespear.
A midsummer night's dream is simply wonderful.
It's all about love and magic.

Imagine your picture in a lush, hot forrest.
The tension between Oberon the king of the faerys and his Queen Titania.

Puck was the point or contention between them early on in the play
All through the play the mention of flowers comes in almost every speech of the faery folk, focus on this .

King Oberon, Try rethinking this figure, the pose and the attitude. You have the beginings of a wonderful painting and I think with a bit more thought it could be a wonderful one.

The woods must feel magical, not only in colour, but in the plant life.
In the play the woods were often mentioned as warm and humid with alot of insect life about.
One faery says
" Weaving spiders, come not here;
hence, you long legg'ed spinners, hence.
beetles black, approach not here;
Worm nor snail do not offence.


" over hill, over dale
through bush, through brier,
Over park, over pale,
Through folld, through fire,
I do wander everywhere,
Swifter than the Moon's sphere;
And I serve the faery Queen,
To dew her orbs upon the green,
The cowslips tall her pensioners be:
In their gold coats spots you see;
Those be rubies, faery favours,
In the freckles live their savours;
I must go seek some dew-drops here,
and hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.
Farewell., thou lob of spirits; I'll be gone:
Our Feary Queen and all our elves come here anon.

Try to see your picture from Oberon's point of view, Get inside the character's head and go from there.
I hope this has helped.
Daniel
through

[oglzogl]

Thanks for your reply dansadad. I understand and appreciate what you mean. I can see that this image of mine may not capture the overall spirit (and comedy) of the play.

I will try and explain my thinking... maybe beginning with Oberon. I should begin by saying that I have always viewed this character as somewhat aloof. A nice foil for Puck's playfulness (something that Oberon seems to me to have very little tolerance for). This is what I was trying to capture in Oberon. Perhaps even he would be more playful than what I've illustrated, but that is how I have always seen him.

Kind of funny.. when my wife saw my picture of she asked me "that is Oberon?" She went on to explain that in her minds eye he was more of the Irish De Danann. Black hair, blue eye and very slender. Ive always seen him as a more traditional elf, I guess (although I was very reluctant to give him pointy ears, etc.).

For the background I was thinking of a stage set. Nothing really too elaborate. One of my favorite productions of this play was done by the Royal Shakespearean Company. I've only seen the Video (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/6305470456/qid=1076651317/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/102-1034965-7976928?v=glance&s=video) but I really liked their set design. The forest might just consist of a few doors standing on the stage. The stary sky was made up of a number of exposed lightbulbs. Of course, I didnt take it that far, but I liked the idea a lot. I have also had the pleasure of seeing more elaborate set and costume designs (a favorite that I've actually seen performed was designed after the artwork of James Christensen (http://www.egalleryone.com/images/christensen/christensen%20-%20shakespeare%20sketchbook%20a.jpg).. and another link (http://www.aumania.it/fa/christensen/000.jpg).. maybe one more link (http://www.jameschristensen.us/artist-gallery-asp/artist-James_Christensen/artist_gallery_James_Christensen.htm). I really like this guy!) For me, however, it didnt feel right for the way I saw the characters. Still, for the play in general, I would agree that my piece probably doesnt feel right either.

What can I say, I have always liked Shakespears Tragedies. Maybe that is why my characters are somewhat dark and brooding ;) Nah, Just kidding (maybe?).

A few years ago I was able to do a few Illustrations for the Utah Shakespearean Festival. One of the pictures happened to be of Titania and Bottom. Since then, I've always had it in the back of my mind that this is something I would like to revisit (because I love the subject and was never really happy with what I had originally done). I expect this will be a theme I revisit regularly for the next while. Your input is appreciated because it helps me to see things differently and will help me push my style and vision.

Thanks.

[alex_86]

Yoooo nice stuff man I love that!! I applaude you for being able to put something like this together, the colors are simply wonderful!!! Seriously good stuff! :chug:

[oglzogl]

Thank you very kindly meDrawUC. Always nice to hear!

[Sularia]

I really like the image simple like this. The tracery of the branches and the cooler colors there really allow the focus to be on the characters below, but still have enough intricacy to be interesting and add some magic.

Sularia