Art by Ollie Longuet

Concept Art Study - Hunting Yoda

2014-02-21T10:46:00.000+00:00

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I started this one not knowing what I was going to do.
I mixed some light colours and wetted the back the canvas with it and slowly added my blues, greens and some red into the white wet canvas doing single vertical lines, grouping some of them in compact bundles I quickly started to look like I was making a dense forest scene.

I kept this process until I blocked some areas with well defined trees that resembled a mix of mangrove/sequoia tree forest . I mixed my blue green and red into a really dark value to block the bottom and sides. Then with the color mix I used for the trees, I added a yellow hue to lighten it in order to establish a glowing bottom. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but the more I looked at it, the more it started to look like the StarWars planet Dagobah.

So I went with that idea further and refined the trees,adding vines falling, roots and linking the bottom of the trees to the ground.
I felt, the scene needed a figure, I was tempted to make it Yoda, however, while I wanted a static figure, I thought Yoda would restrict the story too much to a static shot of yet another lonely day in yoda's life. Instead I opted with a tall hooded figure with a red lightsaber, a Dark Jedi, or Sith, or possibly Darth Vader himself.
As viewers, since we know yoda lives there on his own, we start wondering straight away who that figure could be and why is he there; was he there before, is he looking for yoda, is he another apprentice of the Emperor or Darth Vader... ?

I wasn't sure still if I wanted solid ground or that glowing marsh feel from the movie.
At this stage I needed to block the movement into one direction. From the picture bellow there are two gaps in the trees, this not only creates too much light and openness into what should be a closed a dark foreboding environment, it also distracts the eye as the viewer doesn't really know where to focus, going back and forth between the two gaps.

I decided to close the gap on the right side of the composition, creating a clear entry point into the background, and only one point for the eyes to focus on.
I added some glow into the light saber and yet more vines falling from the trees.
I decided to add some yellowish fog and a few highlights on the ground instead of deciding whether it should be solid or water. The fog extend into the roots of the trees and seems to create it's own light.
The viewer then doesn't really know what lies under, nothing is clearly defined here, the importance is on the rough shapes as opposed to the detains and the unease comes from the dark areas as well as from the brighter ones.

Thanks for reading this and if you liked these tutorials, don't forget to check out my Patreon page too: http://www.patreon.com/olonguet?alert=1

Concept art study - "I'm not alone"

2014-02-20T09:04:00.003+00:00

Today here's a slightly different bit of work than usual...

This started as a simple exercise in abstraction: build up a textured background from various diluted out colors and fill up the whole canvas. The idea is that i'm hoping the different tones and brushstroke shapes will suggest a few ideas...

I keep building up the canvas but I have, at this point, no idea of what am going to paint. Once I was happy with the background I decided to build up shapes in the background. I used darker colors and just started applying them without much purpose. I did the shapes bellow and let the painting sit like this for a few hours, not looking at it...

Once I returned to the painting, I saw that he shape suggested a tree branch, so I dediced to go with the idea of a backlit dark forest scene.

I, removed the branch and lightened the whole centre of the painting with paint, adding quick brush strokes from the top right to bottom left. This will suggest some light breaking through the highest branches in the background of the painting.

I then started the process of building the scene from the background to the foreground. As with previous paintings, I use darker and darker values using my background color as a basis. This is the part I enjoy most as it sets up a scene for the final piece.
I added a big blocking element on the right, sweeping from the top. The trees going into the background follow the same slope but they're getting more vertical as they fade in the back. This helps create a focus point right a the root of the tree in the foreground. This will most likely suggest a focal element in the painting later on.
I also added a large blocking tree on the right for another element of focus in the painting. This will help me as it gives me a choice of using the right or left for my focus point (or both!)

Again, I let the piece sit for an hour, not looking at it (this is VERY important) and came back to it.

Looking back at the piece there's a clear movement suggested: from the top left to the tree on the right. It looks like the tree on the right will be the location for the main point of focus of the scene and the tree on the right will be recipient/source...

Since the scene had a gloomy feel, reminiscent of the Walking Dead series, I decided to add zombie-like figures. This creates a tension in the scene already, as you cannot see the figures properly but can clearly identify as threatening. I use small light dots to suggest their eyes. It creates a feel of unease, eyes aren't supposed to glow, and helps suggest where they're looking. How the scene plays out now depends on what is going on, on the right hand side of the picture: another zombie, someone running away, resting or just stumbling on the zombies by accident

After thinking about it, I thought the scene would be even stronger if the zombies where instead 'the victims' in the scene ; so I used the character of Michonne in the Walking Dead. Anyone who's seen the show knows she's not one to run from them and will possibly hunt them if she needs to. This create a really strong scene now as we have a pretty clear idea of what is going to happen next.

Finally I added some details to close in the scene. Notice I didn't add a lot highlights though, just a few to suggest the twisting shapes of trees and rocks. However I didn't detail the edges or bottom of the picture ; the action happens in the center of the picture so that's where the details should be.
That's about it. Thanks for reading this and if you liked these tutorials, don't forget to check out my Patreon page too: http://www.patreon.com/olonguet?alert=1

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Off the Beaten track

2014-01-14T10:45:00.001+00:00

"Off the beaten track"

Acrylics on ply
approx 23x17 inches (58x 43cm)
€430 (approx $588)

Shipping: €20

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New Print: "Life is good"

2013-11-27T10:49:00.000+00:00

I'm delighted to now have this new beautiful piece available as a print. The original piece is called "Life is Good.

Prints and canvas prints vailable at http://shop.photo4me.com/picture.aspx?id=341004&f=canvas

http://shop.photo4me.com/picture.aspx?id=341004&f=canvas

Life is good

2013-11-04T13:00:00.003+00:00

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I also have prints of this prints of this piece available here.

As a bonus, I also did the study for this piece on the ipad. Here's the video:

New Print

2013-10-17T12:56:00.000+01:00

Flock of two

2013-10-16T11:52:00.002+01:00

New painting available :

"Flock of Two"

Acrylics on Canvas
8x8 inches (20 x 20cm)
€75 (approx $101)

Shipping: €20 - it's heavy wood

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Samsung Phone Covers

2013-09-17T08:53:00.001+01:00

I am delighted to be able to offer SAMSUNG phone covers in addition to my existing iPhone cases.
I only have a limited selection of art available but if you'd like a piece you'd like isn't available, please send me an email (olonguet@gmail.com) and I'll add it to the list :

http://pixels.com/profiles/olivier-longuet.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=34011 3

Morning Sheep

2013-09-06T10:00:00.000+01:00

"Morning Sheep"

Acrylics on Canvas
8x8 inches (20 x 20cm)
€150 (€195)

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Skies & Seas #2

2013-08-02T10:54:00.000+01:00

Skies & Seas #2

12x9 inches

Acrylics on canvas board

Unframed

€90

Skies & Seas #1

2013-08-01T10:52:00.004+01:00

I am starting a small series of paintings called "Skies & Seas" celebrating the feeling of the open seas in various weathers and moods. Skies & Seas is about the the blurred horizon, the line where the sky and the sea seem to merge into one element.

This is the first one of the series.

12x9 inches

Acrylics on canvas board

Unframed

€90

Sheep Mentality

2013-07-24T09:58:00.001+01:00

I finally have a bit more time to work on my other project : the Sheep Mentality Comic strip.
I started on this last year but only had about 14 drawn and people have been wondering if I was going to make more.
Truth is I just haven't had the time to work on them but I've been writing them for the past year as ideas came to me. I've a good 30 written and about as much at the idea stage now and I finally have time to draw them so I'm making more.
It looks like it's still will be published in the Surfer's Path magazine too so all's good on the Sheep Mentality front.
Go check it out at http://sheepmentality.blogspot.com and make sure to like the Facebook page

New table

2013-07-15T14:03:00.002+01:00

I've been looking for a nice large rustic table an never been able to find what I wanted -at least not at a reasonable price. So I thought I'd have a go.
I found some old scafolding planks that weren't good enough for construction anymore and joinded them together with some old 2x4 planks.

After a lot of planning sanding and sanding I had a nice table.
I stained the 2x4 with some dark woodstain to get a nice effect and varnished the lot.

Voila! a nice new table

Here's a small video :

New Board painted

2013-06-05T11:24:00.001+01:00

I finished painting a surfboard for my friend Pete of Aloha Surf School in Fanore. He had an old board that he didn't want to part with and wanted the painting to feature our local break.
He was stoked with it and so was I.

Shorebreak

2013-05-24T11:34:00.003+01:00

I've had this painting done a while now but I decided to re-post it since I made a small driftwood frame for it with pieces I collected where I normally surf. I think if fits the painting quite well. The frame is complimentary but it can be removed easily if it doesn't suit you.

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Sunset Slide

2013-05-01T13:26:00.000+01:00

"Sunset Slide"
12x12 in (30x30cm)
Acrylics on deep edge canvas
€250 ( approx $330)

Click the buy now button bellow to purchase this painting.

Polkas Anyone ?

2013-04-23T08:36:00.003+01:00

"Polkas anyone ?"
10x14 in (24x35cm)

Acrylics on Deep Edge Canvas

€250 (appox $326)

Use the 'Buy Now' button to purchase this painting.

Alternatively, I now offer the option to purchase pieces in 12 smaller monthly instalments of €24.79 (approx $32.34). Click the subscribe button.

Duke Street Gallery

2013-03-08T09:52:00.002+00:00

I brought a new series of paintings to the Duke Street Gallery last weekend, in their new premises. The new place looks great and while they've lost their fantastic window displays new layout inside is much much better and the art there looks great.
I'm also DELIGHTED that they're taking on my surf related works now. It's great to see surf art slowly making it into mainstream galleries and a positive encouragement for struggling surf art artists to persevere.

Bouzouki and Flute

2013-02-21T16:34:00.001+00:00

Another piece going to the Bridge Street Gallery (former Apollo Gallery) next weekend.
12x12 - inches Acrylics on Canvas. I don't have a name yet but I'm sure I'll come up with something soon...or if you have suggestions, fire away...

New Painting - Temple Bar

2013-02-15T09:39:00.003+00:00

"Temple Bar"
16x20 in (40x50cm)

Acrylics on Deep Edge Canvas

Available at the Duke Street Gallery

Film Portrait

2013-02-05T10:07:00.003+00:00

Jules Charlton of Hokua Media came to the studio last Saturday to shoot a Film Portrait for the Apollo Gallery in Dublin.
We got in touch during the week and decided to make it happen that very Saturday as the weather looked decent. It turned out to be one of the nicest day of winter here so far and there even were a few small lazy waves.
Jules is a very nice guy and made me feel at ease straight away with the camera. I'm not sure I like talking about myself that much but the whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable. Pity the waves weren't better (or maybe it's just my surfing that sucks...)

Aside from a great sunny day chatting and shooting this is what he came up with. Nice one Jman!

Hokua Media Twitter
Vimeo Channel
Youtube Channel

Style Study #1

2013-01-31T15:57:00.001+00:00

I've started working on some style studies of various digital concept artists, trying to transpose their techniques on computer into acrylics. One of my favourite is Feng Zhu, no less. He's worked on many films (starwars...) and lord of the ring video games.
Here's the first one I've done so far . Since this isn't my usual style(s) and it is a style study, I decided to put this study up for auction on ebay with a tiny reserve just to cover material costs :
I'm curious to see what happens :)

More info on my Study blog: http://olliestudies.blogspot.ie/2013/02/walker-study.html

Tig Coili print

2013-01-25T11:12:00.001+00:00

"Tig Coili"
16x12 in (40x30cm) - Canvas print on 2 in (5cm) deep canvas
Hand Embelished - Signed
€95( approx $123 )

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nodp

Sheepwrecked

2013-01-22T11:28:00.002+00:00

"Sheepwrecked"
16x20 in (40x50cm)

Acrylics on Deep Edge Canvas

I love making these sheep painting, the make me smile all throughout. Mind you some artistic license is taken indeed, not least with the sunshine and cloudless skies, but I always find paintings of Ireland too full of greys and darks ; my experience is that it's a wide open beautiful and bright place ... just not very often :)

Available from the Duke Street Gallery

Walkers at Sandymount

2013-01-18T11:02:00.000+00:00

"Walkers at Sandymount"
10x14 in (24x35cm)

Acrylics on Deep Edge Canvas

I came up with the idea of doing walkers a few years back, but never got around to it. There's such a distinctive stance in the way power walkers go about. There's a clear "determination" in their stride and yet it doe not seem to be targeted at anything specific, well nothing other than getting there and back I suppose.

Available from the Duke Street Gallery