Original artwork description:

A strange, unearthly figure hovers in dark space, lantern held aloft in the dim shadows. The vivid, rich colours of the clothed form contrast with the deep black background, creating a striking visual statement piece.
This surreal scene is based on the mysterious figure of the Hermit, a character that appears in the Tarot, as well as in folklore and fairytales. The hermit is an enigmatical character, who walks a quiet path, alone, with only a single lantern to guide them through the night.
This work was inspired by stories I read as a child, and that feeling of mystery and wonder evoked by ancient, archetypal characters who seem to linger in the shadows, just out of reach.
I began with an underpainting in burnt umber, blocking in the dark areas, then slowly built up layers of translucent sap green and orange-brown, as well as deep bluish black for the ground. Finally I added the highlights, and the small lantern that hovers about the suspended figure.

Materials used:

Oil on Canvas

Tags:

#dark painting prints #nighttime forest woods #storybook art #illustration painting #surrealism fantasy #historic depiction #historic clothes #dark green oil painting #oil painting #green #oil on canvas #illustration #surreal #fantasy #fantasy art #scifi #history #mystery #illustrative #spooky #surreal landscape #dark green #characters #folklore #nighttime #unsettling #spooky art #illustration of a woman #black and green #mysterious abstract painting #scifi/fantasy art #surrealist paintings #fairytales #historic artifact #mysterious painting #dark oil painting #historic art #hidden figure #clothes hanging #characters oil painting #veiled figure 

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