The Fractured Atlas of Jelara #19 Twilight Ungulate

This piece was inspired by my favorite animated film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, though I was unable to complete it on time. The scene depicts Princess Jelara after she falls into a parallel universe and awakens in a mystic forest. Although fireflies shimmer all around her, she is drawn to a small pile of fire for warmth as she waits for dawn. Suddenly, a massive skeleton of an ancient moose rises from the ashes. Fire glows within its mouth, illuminating its blue skull against the night.

At this moment, Jelara must decide whether to follow this deity. My teacher praised the work for its handling of contrasts—light and shadow, the girl and the creature, and the fire against the background. However, the portrait still lacks sufficient facial appeal. Given my more traditional approach to painting, my teacher advised me to study J. C. Leyendecker, particularly his methods of interpreting and constructing portraits.