Critical Analysis of Art Work #3

Choosing a Grimlas (2013)

By Stjepan Sejic

(Digital Painting)

Description

This digital painting is an image from a double-page spread from Sejic’s graphic novel - Ravine. The page consists of a main central image, the negative space on which is used up by a sequence of panels for narrative purposes. The central piece shows an elaborately dressed woman that has an unreal look to her, and the panels surrounding the space show every movement, almost as cinematic as a story board. They inform that she is picking out a small glowing pearl-like object that is somehow different by the rest, judging by the crack on it. Then she kisses it which fixes the crack. Her face is almost emotionless, although there are glowing tears streaming down her cheeks. So it is hard to judge if it is a good or a bad situation, if she is a protagonist or antagonist. But the scene feels somehow important.

The composition though asymmetrical and irregular looks stable. The axis feels diagonally formed in tone with the horizon line of the main image. The light source illuminates the figure from behind, adding to her enigma.  It is unclear what time of day it is because the light feels rather unnatural. The action seems to be taking place in a cave though there is not much detail to the background. But this is not important because the focus if the image is definitely the central piece and the narrative panels, since they are most informative.

Analysis

The image looks realistic although it is clearly based in a fantasy setting. The eyes of the woman are interestingly covered perhaps meaning that the character in question has got a different idea of sight. This is supported by the glow emitted from the head piece and her glowing tears. Since the woman is definitely not human there are no regular objects informing the viewer about her scale. Though the camera angle is looking up at her, which might suggest that she is taller, it could also simply hints to her superiority. Everything on the character seems to glow – her weapon, her mask, her white hair reflects the light coming in behind her, as well as the ethereal gems positioned in front of her. Despite the woman holding a weapon in her right hand, she looks like an oracle of some sort. Perhaps the reason is the glowing pedestal in front of her, which reminds of the Delphi oracle from ancient Greek history. She was credited for her prophecies through a chasm or a pool in the rocks of Delphi.

Her attire cannot be placed in a particular historical environment. Her robes are flowing and drapery, reminding of ancient Greek or Roman clothes, while the sleeves look rather Japanese. The waist belt and her weapon look more European and definitely fantasy-oriented.

The colour palette feels cold and airy. Seemingly the most important colour of the piece is cyan, because everything else is subdued and dis-saturated. The woman looks monochrome with her black dress and white hair, except for the intense blues coming from her eyes, emphasizing on the magic of the piece.

Interpretation

Interestingly Stjepan Sejic is one of the few artists that get to do all in a comic book - drawing, inking, colouring and graphics – that results in his images looking very unified. His pages are always very dynamic, displaying a clear narrative because he studied how films tell a story. Showing the smallest movement in a tight sequence aids to the cinematic feel, quite like a film story-board.  But this particular graphic novel is a passion project of his – aside from everything else he is also the writer - so additional care came into it in order to tell story right.

In the context of the graphic novel, this page introduces this character which leads to the introduction of one of the main characters and their role in the story. The panels overlap with the space of the main image, which works well since it is not important for the scene, the mystery of it could actually be a part of the narrative. The rather painterly look on the background reflects the traditional art skills of the artist.

Judgment

If viewed as a stand-alone piece instead of a page from a graphic novel, it could be said that the image is overcrowded and would look better if only the central image was left. But when reading comic books and graphic novels, the art is viewed differently, and the narrative aspects are quite necessary.

It can be said that the golden detailed frame around the whole image is not the best decision though. The detailing clashes with the beautiful texturing on the horns, especially on the rightmost panel. Although the blues coming from the figure’s eyes are complimentary to the frame, it is rather distracting. The cinematic feeling would be heightened if the outline was simply black or white.  

Overall the image is well executed; It is immersive and easy to follow which is the most important quality necessary for narrative art.