I really like the perspective and the antique look. The shawl draping on the woman in white is coming out very nicely 
It is coming along quite nicely… It will be interesting to see the step by step. Keep us posted.
Cheers. 
now who would have thought someone could start working on such a wonderful re-creational project 
without any reference at hand? the optical archive imbedded in your mind is fantabulous, Michael (as is your knowledge of styles and artists, Dave!) absolutely incredible and therefore: KUDOSKUDOSKUDOSshhh… kudos! to both of you. i love the way this project develops!
a onelayer no zadd thread… count me in
- juandel
Thanks for the stages in the creation, nice to see how its going.
Dave
Stonecutter,
Take your time. No hurry. This looks like a work that needs to be savored. Step back from your monitor, squint your eyes. Punch yourself on the shoulder and smile. Appreciate what you’ve done to this point (I’m sure you have). I like that the color pallette is different from the original. Keep it up and make it your own. Then ask yourself: “Will it ever really be finished?”
Of course, agreeing with Houdini, your first image works as is.
Adman
Hi stonecutter,
once again, I’ve been lurking in the shadows, dropping by, checking out the new images on the forum.
Seeing the steps of creation with this, your latest, has been quite inspiring. I await the final image. Based on what I can see here, it will be masterful.
Well, two people whose judgement I respect posted comments which ignited my thought processes, leading to me taking my own direction here…Adman suggested I should pause to enjoy what I had done, and Dave said I had captured the style of Alma-Tadema…Being a Libran, and a synthesist by nature, I thought, ‘Hell Miguel…You aren’t a Victorian, it’s not even conclusively established, what the hell timeframe you do live in, so why would you want to exactly duplicate his work?’ Let me assure the more skeptical among you, I am capable of doing this, having painted since about the age of 8…
Now, all that BS being out of the way, and since I don’t want to be a total weenie, having said I would post the finished one today, Here’s the ‘Miguelized’ version of Alma-Tadema…Thanx Adman and Dave for the insight.!
A couple more things…
I now have up to this image, 10 stages of this saved, from the beginning sketchs of the architecture over the background to the image you see, and may have more by the finish. I will post a composite of these.
Simone is babysitting her little niece, so I will be working in my studio tomorrow until this is done.
Okay…make it three. The figure in the foreground shows three stages in one since the two feet in sandals aren’t done, and the arms are merely blocked in.
“Miguelized” its going to be even better. wonderfulwonderful details! take your time, no hurry: it already made it to the hall of fame
- juandel
It’s moving on nicely, colours are great, it will be a winner.
Dave
I love the fact that you are explaining the process…Though I am no painter I know that alot goes into an undertaking like this…and albeit that it is digital, it still has the same feel of a traditional canvas painting. So many times I have been around people in the real world saying stuff like O I can do that or something like that looks easy…It takes talent just to come up with the concept or the laying out of an image before you ever get started with the first paint stroke. I have bookmarked this thread to pass around to some of my friends in hopes to enlighten them on the process and to put to rest any notions that just anyone can do this…anyone can attempt it for sure…but not just anyone can relay their heart onto the canvass and create a thing of beauty…Great job on this so far Mike. And thankyou very much
FS
Considering you’ve been kind enough to send me MANY updates (luckyME!! 
)
The transition from last night’s last, and this mornings is practically heartbreaking for it’s beauty. The details are astonishing.
This is a glorious rendition.
A celebration of a great master carried out by one of our long seated, admired, and trusted ZMasters, Stonecutter.
You have raised the bar again, SC.
:D :+1: :+1: :+1: :+1: :+1: :+1:Damn fine work Mike! The Miguel version will be masterful! Oh and I forgot to pay the troll…I mean toll at the bridge.
Just getting better and better Michael. I am glad and counting on the fact you are not hurrying on this trying to make scheduals. I can admire what I myself could never in a million years accomplish.
What a great tribute this will be to Alma-Tadema and a education to the rest of us like me who now have seen his work.
An absolute stunning masterpiece --fabulously beautiful !!
Since I’ve been informed that there was some commentary on my having done this painting from a scan, I’m posting my first save, prematurely…This is not to defend myself.
I don’t have to…My work speaks for me…
As you can see, this shows my construction lines, for the beginning of the architecture… :rolleyes:
(BTW, The lines were done by placeing my faithful engineers’ scale, a three-sided ruler for those who aren’t familiar with them, on my tablet, and watching the screen while I adjusted the angle…)
Since you have sent me a private email asking me to view this post and apologise. I can only say you have been misinformed. I did not say that you did the picture from a scan. You said you did the cat from a scan not me. Must be some mistake.
maybe the moderator has a copy of my post you could ask to view it if you want.
The first step reminds me of the work my father used to do as a draftsman. Accurate, sharp, and clean.
[Edited]
I am happy to see you painting SC, you do such a good job when you use this methodology. I have found it useful in my short few months here. Looking forward to the updates!
DeeVee
Thanks Joe, and as I said on another thread, it’s great to see you back…
Maybe you’re getting to me…This is my second straight painting in a row…