Jun
14

“Undead”, By Jyri Straechav, 2013. Digital. Hello, sorry about the fairly quick piece, but I’ve been unexpectedly busy all week, and I don’t have any time to devote to my art on Saturday as usual. So you’ll have to be satisfied with this quick piece. I’ll see if I can do better next week, and do something a little more intricate and better. Additionally, I’m starting to use so many programs these days in each of my pieces, that I have decided to stop listing them all. The list is going to expand by two or three programs in near future, as well, so it’s getting ridiculous. So, from now on I’ll just mention if it has digital or traditional elements, as appropriate, maybe use some tags. You can pretty much expect every piece to have the “digital” in it, but I’ll be using acrylics and such more regularly once I get a handle on the workflow I am dreaming up.

“Undead”, By Jyri Straechav, 2013. Digital.

Hello, sorry about the fairly quick piece, but I’ve been unexpectedly busy all week, and I don’t have any time to devote to my art on Saturday as usual. So you’ll have to be satisfied with this quick piece. I’ll see if I can do better next week, and do something a little more intricate and better.

Additionally, I’m starting to use so many programs these days in each of my pieces, that I have decided to stop listing them all. The list is going to expand by two or three programs in near future, as well, so it’s getting ridiculous.

So, from now on I’ll just mention if it has digital or traditional elements, as appropriate, maybe use some tags. You can pretty much expect every piece to have the “digital” in it, but I’ll be using acrylics and such more regularly once I get a handle on the workflow I am dreaming up.

Jun
12

Update

So, the next piece of art will arrive on Friday, at latest. It’s because I will be busy on Saturday, so I won’t have an opportunity to do my usual Saturday  artwork. This just a friendly reminder for you few who are interested.

It’s going to be a portrait, and it’s going to be again back to more traditional horror elements. I’m thinking of calling it “Undead”, but that’s just because I don’t know what that dude is all about.

Jun
08

“Archangel” By Jyri Straechav, 2013. Sculptris, C4D, Artrage, Photoshop One of my best pieces, I think. It’s got all the right mythical and horrifying elements, with strong dose of surrealism. So I definitely really like this piece. It might be a good idea in future to spend a week thinking about my next piece as well. If this is an indication of the quality I get from just carefully approaching the idea - as opposed to laying it to paper as soon as I get it. Anyway, I hope you all like it (at least) as much as I do. And thank you for patiently waiting for me to actually publish this. I’ll be back very soon. Next one is already in the plans.

“Archangel” By Jyri Straechav, 2013. Sculptris, C4D, Artrage, Photoshop

One of my best pieces, I think. It’s got all the right mythical and horrifying elements, with strong dose of surrealism. So I definitely really like this piece. It might be a good idea in future to spend a week thinking about my next piece as well. If this is an indication of the quality I get from just carefully approaching the idea - as opposed to laying it to paper as soon as I get it.

Anyway, I hope you all like it (at least) as much as I do. And thank you for patiently waiting for me to actually publish this. I’ll be back very soon. Next one is already in the plans.

Jun
06

Archangel

The next piece is progressing well. I’ve gotten a good idea for it, as well, and I am experimenting with some things. Normally I would have been able to push it out by now, but I have been taking it easy and enjoying the sun and the early (and very hot) summer.

I am still committed to publishing one new painting per week, so don’t worry about that.

Finally, I’ll be calling the new piece “Archangel” or some variety of that. I even have a bunch of unrelated ideas to use this process with. So I am definitely not low on ideas.

Jun
03

The Next Step

Alright, people. I like “The Malignant Growth” as well, and I am definitely working on the next piece to add to the same series. But this one is skirting the parameters of the series, because it’s a human figure.

Well, I say “human”… 

Okay, I have made a conscious effort to avoid realism and the musculature of the figure is all fucked up and weird. But trust me, if I don’t screw this over, it’s going to look damn awesome. 

Also, creepy as hell. Definitely going to be one of my more “horror” pieces since… I don’t even know. “Consumed” maybe?

Something like that, anyway. So hold on to your horses, I’ll post it when I’m good and ready to do so. I’m doing this with loving care, so don’t expect it today. But you all can start trolling my page around 22:00 (gmt+2) every day after that. 

Unless I get another great idea, which would push the piece back quite a bit. In that case I’ll give a shout. At the latest, I’ll post an update on the situation on Thursday. 

Jun
01

“Sentinel”, by Jyri Straechav, 2013. Photoshop. Something a bit more old school stuff. No 3D to be seen here. I’ll get back to that, I’m sure, but I REALLY needed a change of pace after “The Devourer”. I just wasn’t that happy with it. That said, this is like… the third attempt at making something for this week. But I really had problems on doing something that I liked. So I eventually just went nuts and did something random.  There, random stuff for you. Enjoy.

“Sentinel”, by Jyri Straechav, 2013. Photoshop.

Something a bit more old school stuff. No 3D to be seen here. I’ll get back to that, I’m sure, but I REALLY needed a change of pace after “The Devourer”. I just wasn’t that happy with it.

That said, this is like… the third attempt at making something for this week. But I really had problems on doing something that I liked. So I eventually just went nuts and did something random. 

There, random stuff for you. Enjoy.

May
29

Lazy Summer Days

I’ve been enjoying the summer, and my suddenly ample idle time. Don’t worry, I’ll still post one new painting per week. Most likely on Saturdays, but I really can’t promise anything about my schedule other than I WILL be posting one new painting a week, and at least one additional (text) update on what’s going on here. So it could be in the middle of the week, or at the end, or maybe sometimes several times a week. Who knows?

Keep checking this space and you’ll spot the new pieces.

I’m still slightly unhappy with “The Devourer”, but I am not sure what to do next. So, obviously, I won’t be posting anything today. I have one new piece in the works that is a little Beksinski influenced in some ways, but I am not sure if I can pull it off. 

I might have to shelve it and start another one instead.

Finally, I’m sure you all are happy to find out that I finally made backups of my art.

Read More

May
26

“The Devourer”, By Jyri Straechav, 2013. Sculptris, C4D, Photoshop. Okay, first of all. This is now by far the most 3D piece I’ve ever done in my life. It even looks more 3D than it actually is. I did a lot of painting on top of the model, both background and the planet was added “in the post” so to speak. But there’s something about “space” that makes 3D look… well, plain obviously 3D. So in short, I love the concept of this piece. I am not that keen on how actually looks like. It’s excellent for the series, but not really the direction I want to pursue too much. Other than how fucking nuts the piece is. I will DEFINITELY do something completely different next. I think I’ll pick up my acrylic paints and stuff like that. Maybe a portrait.

“The Devourer”, By Jyri Straechav, 2013. Sculptris, C4D, Photoshop.

Okay, first of all. This is now by far the most 3D piece I’ve ever done in my life. It even looks more 3D than it actually is. I did a lot of painting on top of the model, both background and the planet was added “in the post” so to speak. But there’s something about “space” that makes 3D look… well, plain obviously 3D.

So in short, I love the concept of this piece. I am not that keen on how actually looks like. It’s excellent for the series, but not really the direction I want to pursue too much. Other than how fucking nuts the piece is.

I will DEFINITELY do something completely different next. I think I’ll pick up my acrylic paints and stuff like that. Maybe a portrait.

Sorry

Okay, sorry, no painting today. I was about ready and all done with the concept and thinking of finishing it and then while thinking of names for the piece, something happened.

I got an idea.

That’s always bad news for my schedule.

I basically redid the whole background of the piece, added some new stuff, fixed the lights a bit and all that. But the idea is awesome. I really like the concept, we’ll see how you’ll like it. Unfortunately you’ll have to wait until tomorrow. 

I call the piece “The Devourer”. It’s epic.

May
25

I Am The Jack’s Utter Lack of Surprise

So, I am working on a new piece.

You bored of me saying that yet? I mean, it is kind of obvious. I wonder if anyone of you ever shout at the monitor “OF COURSE YOU ARE, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO POST IT, MOTHERFUCKER?”

Calm down, man.

I don’t know why you’re doing that Samuel Jackson impression, but I’m working as fast as I can.

Actually, no. I’ve been very lazy. But I have been doing some sculptures. I might have to start posting some kind of “sculpture sketches” or something because I’ve done like a dozen of those before I settled on something.

It’s hard to abandon all that strict adherence to realism and human figure that I’ve been obsessing over for ten years.

Anyway, the point of this note? Nothing besides that I’ll try to finish this new piece today and post it today evening/night as usual. I had some reservations about it, but I fixed some issues and I think it’s showing some promise now. So, yeah, look for that new piece appearing on this channel some time in near future.

May
22

“The Malignant Growth”, By Jyri Straechav, 2013. Sculptris, C4D. Photoshop. This represents a small step towards more surreal direction with much less emphasis on realism and anatomically correct human figures. That has been my real obsession for many years, but I am now trying to shake off my … need to be realistic. I want to go more surreal and disturbing, and a lot of that doesn’t necessarily work well with realism. In the end I’d call this indirectly the most “Beksinski” esque painting I’ve ever done. Calling this piece a pure painting is a bit of a misnomer because it’s a sculpture that I then rendered and painted on top of in Photoshop.  But it’s really the direction I want to go to, at least for a bit. So this is a start of a new series that I’ll call “The Forms of Madness” and it concentrates on me doing (digital) sculptures from scratch and then finishing them in Photoshop and posting them here. I’m also trying to go to (even) more surreal.

“The Malignant Growth”, By Jyri Straechav, 2013. Sculptris, C4D. Photoshop.

This represents a small step towards more surreal direction with much less emphasis on realism and anatomically correct human figures. That has been my real obsession for many years, but I am now trying to shake off my … need to be realistic. I want to go more surreal and disturbing, and a lot of that doesn’t necessarily work well with realism.

In the end I’d call this indirectly the most “Beksinski” esque painting I’ve ever done. Calling this piece a pure painting is a bit of a misnomer because it’s a sculpture that I then rendered and painted on top of in Photoshop. 

But it’s really the direction I want to go to, at least for a bit. So this is a start of a new series that I’ll call “The Forms of Madness” and it concentrates on me doing (digital) sculptures from scratch and then finishing them in Photoshop and posting them here. I’m also trying to go to (even) more surreal.

May
20

New Painting

So… okay. 

I just said on Saturday that I’m moving on to my slower summer schedule. Well, guess what? I painted a new painting on Sunday, so I’ll post that on Wednesday. And now I have whole rest of the week to laze around and do nothing whatsoever.

I might go mad.

Hence I think I’ll probably end up doing some more art. I’M NOT PROMISING anything, okay? You got that? Good. That’s right. I’m merely momentarily insane or something. I’m not promising that the inevitable Saturday painting will actually appear, so just you know.

Anyway, the end result of this is that soon you’ll see new art and I’ll start probably working on some ideas for another piece today already. The next piece will start a new series. I’m going to call the series something like “Forms Of Madness” or something. I’ll make up my mind once I post it.

In a word, I’m pushing myself (even) more towards Surrealism and especially late Zdzislaw Beksinski is a huge influence on where I try to go. I’m trying to be less anal about realism and anatomical correctness of the human form. I’m really going to push the envelope as far as that goes, especially for me.

May
18

“The Judge”, By Jyri Straechav, 2013. C4D, Photoshop. I’m working on some new techniques behind the scenes. I am planning some pretty ambitious ideas. Unfortunately some of them might have to wait for my new computer, which will probably appear in August if all goes well. I need significantly more horsepower for the stuff I want to do. I am also playing with dynamics system in C4D, we’ll see how badly I can abuse that for future pieces. And lastly, I have now officially moved to my “summer schedule”. I will be posting only ONE piece per week for the next several months. I might  make more than that, depending of the schedule (rain!). But don’t expect me to post the usual two regularly. I’ll post either on Wednesday or Saturday as usual, but I can’t promise which day.

“The Judge”, By Jyri Straechav, 2013. C4D, Photoshop.

I’m working on some new techniques behind the scenes. I am planning some pretty ambitious ideas. Unfortunately some of them might have to wait for my new computer, which will probably appear in August if all goes well. I need significantly more horsepower for the stuff I want to do.

I am also playing with dynamics system in C4D, we’ll see how badly I can abuse that for future pieces.

And lastly, I have now officially moved to my “summer schedule”. I will be posting only ONE piece per week for the next several months. I might  make more than that, depending of the schedule (rain!). But don’t expect me to post the usual two regularly. I’ll post either on Wednesday or Saturday as usual, but I can’t promise which day.

May
13

Sorry…

I might a little late with painting this week. I’ll definitely push out the traditional Saturday painting, but I’m feeling rather sick today. And yesterday. Hopefully not tomorrow, however.

Maybe I should just try to do a quick sketch or something tomorrow. We’ll see. Anyway, I’ll be back.

May
12

“Connected” By Jyri Straechav, 2013. C4D, Photoshop, Artrage I rather like this, I did some things that I rather surprised myself with. I did obviously use that One True Photoshop Brush(tm) that I tend to use in just about every painting of mine. Especially the ones that have feathers or things falling apart.  Also, this is how I feel every time I go on facebook. I really don’t care, man.

“Connected” By Jyri Straechav, 2013. C4D, Photoshop, Artrage

I rather like this, I did some things that I rather surprised myself with. I did obviously use that One True Photoshop Brush(tm) that I tend to use in just about every painting of mine. Especially the ones that have feathers or things falling apart. 

Also, this is how I feel every time I go on facebook. I really don’t care, man.