Thursday, June 30, 2011

Volcanic Dragon


Believe it or not, there was a time when I was hesitant to use the more intense oil colors, for example cadmium red and yellow. I would think to myself "no, no, your path is one of subtlety, how would Vermeer or Rembrandt approach this assignment?". While subtlety has it's place, I've come to realize that sometimes intensity is called for...like when someone asks you to paint a dragon made out of freaking lava.

Volcanic Dragon, 14 x 18 in., oil on masonite.
Posted by at

15 comments:

  1. Ray BonillaJune 30, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    awesome. I love it when "dragon" and "lava" are in the same sentence..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ray GreavesJune 30, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    I'm sure the old masters would do the same if asked to paint a lava dragon. ::pats shoulder::

    ReplyDelete
  3. Matt StewartJuly 1, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    I love how you really sold the idea of the dragon being lit form inside by it's own fire. How the head is lighter than the torso because of the relative thickness of the body. I also love the balance of the cool tones in the background. All around awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Steven BelledinJuly 2, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Man, this is absolutely my favorite piece that I've seen from that upcoming set. When I first saw it, I knew it was yours, that it was insanely cool, and that it was a prime example of why I'm so jealous of your mad, fat painting skills. I'm going to go be all angsty and punch a mirror out of self-loathing or something. You know, the usual. Seriously though, great stuff, Chris!

    ReplyDelete
  5. JasonJuly 2, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Hot.
    pun intended.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tyler JacobsonJuly 3, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    yeah, I'm speechless.....

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lance RedJuly 5, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Wow, I love the intensity you achieved in the dragon; such a strong sense of its inner fire & heat.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Johnathan WatsonJuly 5, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    That's a lovely Dragon. It looks a lot more primal and solid than a lot of M:TG dragons.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Vinod RamsJuly 6, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Rembrandt would've given the dragon a fancy little dutch hat.

    (awesome painting BTW)

    ReplyDelete
  10. BumpusJuly 9, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Wow, I need to see the original for this one, it's so HOT !!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Chris RahnJuly 10, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Thanks everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wythe BowartJuly 12, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    So nice to see your work updates. You are so great. I stand imbued by you. Hi to Betty.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mark MeyersJuly 15, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    So awesome! I think you need to throw subtlety out the window more often.

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownJuly 22, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Chris my man - you're just on fire lately! Get it ? Oh man - that is terrible. Sorry.

    Seriously though - it's like you can't do a piece less than freakn'awesome lately. You blow me away with every piece. I hate you (and love you)

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownFebruary 2, 2012 at 3:57 PM

    I feel the heat! very cool.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)