Portrait of Severus Snape, an original 11x14" painting

[foxestacado]

THE PORTRAIT OF SEVERUS SNAPE

This is really the most awaited, longest in development painting, ever. I said back in 2007 I would paint Severus Snape. I went through...oh, I think ten different *serious* sketches of Severus Snape, in preparation for a painting. I made maybe five or six serious attempts at painting Severus Snape. None of them

Comments

[alabastard]

An artists is never truly satisfied with any work, but there is such a haunting quality to this one, based in the eyes but also echoed in the darkness of tone, beautifully rendered all around and very effective.

[foxestacado]

Thank you so much! Despite not being completely satisfied with this work myself, I always value your critical and artistic opinion.

[epithalamium]

God, how do I capture 30+ years of pathos, lost love, pain, suffering, and sacrifice?

Well, you succeeded at it brilliantly, whatever it was you did. His eyes, the slight twist to his lips, are really quite eloquent. Snape is a complex character, all in all, and you really gave him justice in this piece.

[foxestacado]

Thank you so much! Wow. Whew! This piece is really a test for me. Snape is such a beloved character for so many people, including myself, that if I did not do him justice in this piece, I would have failed miserably. I only paint people I feel I understand deeply, because then it is not a superficial portrait, but when it came to Snape, I was doubting myself every step of the way.

[brightredday]

I love it. It's striking on first glance but you definitely have to look at it for awhile to absorb it all. I love the one shadowed eye and the one reflective one.

[foxestacado]

Oh thank you! It's always a little scary for me to paint something so subtle, because I can't expect everyone to stand in front of it and absorb it. I really questioned whether or not the other eye should be in shadow, but after looking at a lot of reference photos, and thinking about the piece thematically, I thought it made the most sense. Because he is both Dark and Light, and he's traveled across those distinctions many times.

[brightredday]

he is both Dark and Light, and he's traveled across those distinctions many times.

Ooh, I didn't even think about that! Totally works.

[themostepotente]

oh wow, Fox, this is stunning! And I love that you included your arting process. Just wonderful ♥

[foxestacado]

Thank you! And I'm glad you enjoyed reading it :) I always like situating a work in my thought and arting process because painting for me is as much a mental exercise as it is a visual exercise.

[infinitas]

God, it's gorgeous. The emotions in his eyes are just... breathtaking.

[foxestacado]

Thank you so much! :)