(Click for large DA version (recommended))

"Is anything out there?"

"No ... it's too dark to see."

Black and white study from my Where red apples lie suite.
Yes I know the eye highlights are slightly off, I liked her expression too much to change it.

MyPaint + GIMP. Comments and feedback appreciated as always!
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Griatch

Wow griatch that is amazing!

Don't you think that the door open or the light source would cast some light onto her back though?

Light source behind an object makes the object contrast more. Unless the light source is so bright it penetrates the object.

Great picture, Griatch!

BEAUTIFUL

Love it. I almost get a feeling of the flame being colored even though it's not - it's a wonderful flame. I wouldn't change a thing about it - her expression and eyes are fine.

Very nce work with light and shadow.

I've always been a fan of art where the only source of light is a candle, fireplace or some other minimal light source.

Griatch does very impressive work with light and shadows. I have to use a software light modeler, which helps me a great deal, but I tend to stick to flat images (cartoons, etc.).

I was waiting for someone to sneak up behind her and say BOO!
Very nice Griatch.
Spooky and mysterious.

Magnificent image!

Especially I admire restraint here, many artists would have gone overboard with little plays of light which would probably have diminished the overall impact.

Nice expression also.

"Less is More"

I love it Griatch!!

Liana

Thanks everyone for your comments!


As Mahvin says, stark contrasts tend to follow from back-lighting. That said, she is presumably not nude but carries some sort of shirt, and that can indeed be slightly transparent. I didn't change much, but added a faint line on the far left to show the extension of her arm, makes it slightly clearer. In principle one might probably see more of her left shoulder and arm, lit by the lighter, but I assume the lighter blinds us a bit too.

I actually experimented with colouring the flame (including making it red to match the theme of this comic), but eventually didn't. Cool that the impression is there nevertheless.
I have tried using simple modelers for more complex architectural scenes at times. Google Sketch-up is pretty decent for very simple daylight kind of scenes (it only offers one light source, but is very easy to use overall). Usually I winge it though; it's usually reasonably clear where light is coming from in all but the most complex scenes.
Yes, it's easy to overdo things; people still tell me I don't simplify enough but go for too many details. I like details I guess.
Who says the lighter is held by her ...?

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Griatch