Hey guys!

I'm working on this little thing for my art exam project in school.
The task is to create an intertextual artwork, and we have pretty free hands, so I chose to create something "controversial" and rather different, no lame Mona Lisa or Venus shit.

While it isn't an intertextual reference to another artwork of any sorts, it's more of a reference to relevant topics in our modern day world; the clash between the last remaining dictatorships and the modern world and the Arab spring.
That, and I've always wanted to portray myself as a ruler and man of the world.

I've created it in Photoshop first (mainly serves as a sketch), and then projected it on to a canvas, where I've outlined the details and such.
I plan to update my progress in here.

Few WIPs:







Final sketch/concept:




A few of my style and motive wise inspirations:





So, I'm supposed to paint this on a 70x90 cm canvas, only just started that today, but here's what I got:
A4 sheet comparison:


Sketched most of the details, except the background:



TL;DR
All Hail Admiral Al-Nickadeen

So yeah, drop a comment

I dont know why but this reminds me of Dictator lol but nice work so far good luck with the painting Admiral Al-Nickadeen

The portrait looks really good. Good composition and details.

However I suggest you tone down the lighting hues on the face when you paint the final. The shapes and color difference on the skin makes it look more like a skin condition instead of lighting. Biggest problem is with the large medium bright shape on the right cheek. The other areas aren't so bad but do compare to the reference image of that one guy with the headdress. The hues on his face are quite subtle yet still they work very well in bringing out his facial features.

That's a valid point man, hadn't really thought of it that way, darn you!
I'll tone it down, fortunately I haven't started painting it yet
Thanks!

Haven't update in a while as I haven't had a phone with camera, and I haven't been able to work on it. I've been working on it a lot this past week, and this is the current state of it






Made that red spot by accident


Planning on fixing the stars up a bit, and also make the fire more... engaging, on the side of the flag.

IS FIN

So you got an A or an invitation to the court ?

Tbh the eyes look a lot unfinished. The eyes are the key to a human's face in my opinion. So you definitely should have put more effort into this part. Rest looks well done! What grade did you get?

Thanks guys. Havent been graded yet, but i imagine its B or A, or I hope so, really need it
Gonna work some more on the eyes when I get the time, as it has to be done outside of school hours. Theyre tricky as hell, and im extremely cautios about touching them. They do look better irl tbh, but not quite good enough.

All Hail Admiral Al-Nickadeen!!!!!!