Time to try something in black and white! :)
speedpaint of Rafael Nadal. 2 hours, CS5
now I’ve got the actual post out the way, I’ve spent so long on this piece (over four months) that I want to talk about it some more! :)
I took quite a few WIPs for this one, I hope everyone likes seeing the process, and it’s nice to look back on what I did. The lineart alone, through gridding, took about an hour. It was such a large canvas it took me ages to get going on it, moving through the skin first (damn tones) then clothing.
lol shoes, fucking shoes and sOCK about three hours. The Nike logo was just too hard and looked awful no matter how I did it, so I have to admit I used a little photomanipulation from the original reference picture. wah
The background I did with much aid of the Clone Tool, it’s honestly my best friend now for doing clay. As you can see from the last WIP, I was about to do a proper background like the one in the picture I used as reference, but as I started it I realised it would take too long and it wasn’t looking right. So I went with the dark option instead :)
The last two shots are details, I was for once happy with how the hair went, learned a new technique and brush in the process :D all in all, happy with the whole thing and glad the hours were worth it. Hope you all like it :)
I’ll kneel down, wait for now,
I’ll kneel down, know my ground
I will wait, I will wait for you
This day, last spring, was one of the best days of my life because Rafael Nadal won Roland Garros, against an opponent that many people said he could never beat. He proved his worth and ended the argument over whether he was the King of Clay.
He is one of the most important people in my life, my inspiration and the first reason I fell in love with tennis. The way he commands the court, his unrivaled focus and determination, I believe, is one the best sights in the world and the tennis world is just not the same without him.
The last seven months have been difficult for both him and his fans, I can’t help but think of him every day and hoping for his return. This week, presuming all goes well tomorrow, he’ll be coming back. No matter how he plays, no matter what ranking he may be, I and thousands of people will support him forever. VAMOS
{25+ hours, CS5}
Paint my spirit gold
the last WIP I’ll post for this piece!
This has been so challenging, and it’s not finished yet. The colours are hard to get right because the picture I’m working from has a weird high contrast (it was the largest HD picture I could find for referencing) so I’ve needed to adjust the palette a bit. His back leg has been a pain (no pun intended, sorry Rafael) to paint, my god. but otherwise happy so far :)
the background… not sure yet idk /
BUT HE IS IN CHILE, SO REJOICE
Aussie Open roundup
OK so once a-fucking-gain Australia has not been very good to me/us, or rather it was good to me up until the semi finals then it went a bit wrong
First things first, Rafa was not there so this slam doesn’t actually count
COME BACK SOON BB
So in terms of the other members of the Armada, Daveed did very well and continuing with his excellent form, no? I thought his five setter against Almagro was a little random but fighting to win from two sets down is mighty impressive. He’s in his 30s now you know ;)
Delpo not much to say to you, honey bear. Strange match.
Belgian Daveed, at least he got through qualifying, excited to see him back on clay soon
CLAY IS BACK SOON
Roger was beautiful and stunning and absolutely flawless, which is not a rare occurrence. His serve was A+, backhand better than I’ve seen it recently and forehand was A+. Hair was A+++.
SHOES
the real champions of this grand slam were Roger’s SHOES
just
i can’t
Andy nice try
What a dull final that was, no? long rallies followed by an error, occasionally some nice tennis. We need some Spanish fire to spice things up a bit.
At least there was no shirt rip.
slam in conclusion: some fun then some pain
ROLAND GARROS IS NEXT bring it on
Watching the 1991 French Open final
Jim Courier/Andre Agassi
Andre’s hair was quite fabulous back then
akldjfjhhg such a wonderful match so far
Rafa has been all I can paint recently, and with his announcement about being back in Chile on the 4th of February, I had to do something other than doodle! Thankfully half my exams are over and I could take a break. This was really relaxing to paint!
The hair was tough and I’m still not happy with it, Rafa’s hair is so hard to draw, it goes all over the place.
We miss you, Rafa! come back soon <3
6 hours, CS5
another WIP of another Rafa painting I started today, oh dear. I should be finishing the other one but this was such a beautiful reference picture I had to start it. just a quick one! hopefully finish tomorrow :)
WIP 1
I’ve been planning this big Rafa painting for months but today seemed like the absolute perfect day to start it. I’m so happy he’s finally returned to the court he loves :D perhaps this will be the less painful phase of his recovery.
anyway I’ll be doing a few WIPs over the next few weeks ‘cause people asked for more last time! TODAY was base body outlining (lol Rafa your ass is super difficult to draw) and the beginnings of detail. Also getting the colour palette right. d’yall remember those heated discussions over what colour Rafa’s RG shirt ACTUALLY was- fushia, salmon, crimson, whatever IT’S PINK. I might change it as it comes to blocking. VAMOS
I have to say something.
Yes, Djokovic won. And yes, we might not like him because of various reasons, but did you see that match.
Roger came out firing straight away. He doesn’t do that very often. He knew he wanted to give it his best shot and he absolutely did. Some of those shots he hit tonight, I almost cried, they were so beautiful.
This is what tennis is about, when Roger Federer plays his best. He played almost his best, the problem was the errors and I do put that down to tiredness and little breaks of concentration. But he was alive on court, when he plays like he did today with shots that you just can’t believe are even real.
I am so incredibly proud of him today. The fact that he didn’t even expect to reach the final is amazing, and this match was so close, a couple of points here and there decided it. Yes it didn’t go his way but it was just a few days ago when he said himself, tennis is not all about winning.
He’s got to enjoy himself on court and sometimes, just sometimes, that can be enough. I hope he did today, he certainly looked like he was.
Roger, you were beautiful and amazing and so wonderful today, it is a shame the outcome was not right but you did your absolute best and that is all we can ask. <3 Congratulations on a fantastic year.
TODAY
has been amazing.
One of the best days of my life. Today I saw Roger Federer win a match.
I was super worried, given his sort of below-par performances recently, that he was going to go on his little mental walkabouts and stress me out for two hours during a three set crap-fest, against the player I hate most (Tipsy is a dick of a human being, look it all up).
Thankfully it was nothing like that and he was on top from the first shot! I think he must have known I was in the audience because he was on his best behaviour, forehands and backhands on perfect line and some crazy, crazy shots going on. After I had stopped crying after he came on court (and they announced all his titles and made me cry more) I did relax slightly and really enjoy the match, knowing he was in full control.
There is just something different about Roger, when he walks on court. Of course we all know this already from watching him for years, but the whole picture doesn’t ever come across on tv. He just owns it, is SO comfortable walking around, calm and controlled. It’s really incredible, considering the size of the O2 stadium and how many people were screaming and chanting his name. I’m utterly in awe, because the magic he creates with a tennis racquet is nothing I have ever experienced before. He is simply beautiful.
6-3 6-1 was the final score, and people will probably complain that it was too quick (just over an hour) but I was perfectly happy. I don’t like stressful matches, and while I had absolute faith he’d pull through it whatever happened, I didn’t want to be a sobbing mess by the end of it. Instead, it was just wonderful and I’m going to live off this high for at least a month!
MEANWHILE I also saw Djokovic/Tsonga yesterday and I’m not sure what to make of it. It was a great match, but after seeing Roger today it just paled into insignificance, I’m afraid.
Also (see picture above :D) I watched Andy Murray practicing this morning with Ivan Lendl. As I’ve never actually seen Lendl smile before it was quite a shock to see him and Andy giggling like two school girls. I am glad their relationship is working out! Boris Becker also turned up which was lovely.
LAST POINT (long ass post); I was honoured to see Lopez/Granollers beat the Bryan brothers yesterday, so I just had to watch them practice today and congratulate them on their win. I waved my Spanish flag and they smiled <3 on that picture is Marc Lopez’s autograph, he was so lovely and looked very surprised when I told him congratulations and good luck.
TO SUM UP: damn amazing two days of tennis
Can we all calm down about Federer?
He said he needed a holiday, OK? And that he was tired.
He IS 31, and considering the level he’s been playing at this year, it’s no surprised he wants a break. I’d say most tennis players want a break right now, the tour right now is way too long and arduous.
Please calm down, he’s not about to retire just because he wants a ‘break’, alright? :D
Guys, calm down about Rafa pulling out of Cincy.
Did anyone actually think he’d be doing it? :|
I mean, his knee was/is pretty serious for him to pull out of the Olympics and that was only last week.
Cincy isn’t an especially important tournament and Rafa, he will find another smaller hardcourt tourney to do before the USO, don’t worry.
This is not the end of his career, anyone who says he’s retiring can sit down and be quiet. Rafael Nadal is a FIGHTER and a WARRIOR and if you have watched him in the last six years you will know he won’t give up.
He will be back. if we have to wait another few weeks, then we will wait another few weeks. VAMOS
WIMBLEDON: Day 7
DAY 7
OK I apologise for not posting updates recently, the Rafa match took a while to recover from. But I’m alright now. I still miss him, but I think it’s a tribute to what he’s achieved over the last year especially, that we find it very, very strange not having a NADAL on the scoreboard for the second week of a grand slam. He fought hard and I’m proud of him.
My heart, I have to admit, is not really in the tournament anymore. I mean, I’m still watching it of course, and still screaming at Roger whenever I must, but Rafael will always have that something extra special, idk how else to describe it.
Roger has decided again that he will refuse to win in straight sets, so we will have to deal with it. He was lucky today that his opponent couldn’t keep up his tennis for very long. I was a bit worried about his back, and I still am, but he seemed to think it was fine after the match, so. And he’s showing fighting spirit :D
TOMORROW
Ferrer/Delpo is tomorrow on Centre, I’m so excited for them both <3 should be a fabulous match, I’d love it to be a really good one, go to five.
WIMBLEDON: Day 3
Now I’ve calmed down about the football,
DAY 3
Roger. Roger Federer. I was almost crying by the end of the first few games due to the sheer beauty of this man’s game on grass. He’s like Nadal on clay, nothing phases him and he is in complete control. My hopes for a Fedal final have now be resurrected, providing Rafa doesn’t randomly fuck anything up. But I trust him.
The two people I care most about in this half played each other today so Roger is basically the only one left that I actively support- Fabio was his usual fabulous self and played some excellent tennis today, it was so good to see him on Centre Court. Until next time, Fognini.
TOMORROW
Nadal is last on Centre so I’ll be home in time to catch it. Straight sets, please be quicker off the mark :c
Goffin is playing first on Court 18 so I’ll miss it ;____; I really, really hope he puts up a serious fight and gets into the third round.
VAMOS AND ALLEZ
