Cave of the Ancients
This one could actually be on Earth instead of a planet far, far, away. But a few tweaks to the monkey and it could feel like another world. Perhaps wings on the monkey. Wait! NO! No flying monkeys!
As I noodled the graphite around on the cave walls the carvings felt very ancient so I intentionally brought out some of the "faces" I naturally see in swirling textures. Do you see the giant carvings of a skull and a gorilla? I added the monkey because my 89 year old mother loves baby monkeys, and the story went from there. Atop the largest carved cliff formed by limestone dripping down for many ages (although difficult to see) is the wise woman, Talia, who cares for the children and local wild life while the inhabitants are out gathering food. That would be me in another millennium!
"Look beside you!!" Mother Talia pointed down as she spied the great reptile lurking close to the young primate.
Basic Sketching before color exploration.
Mother Talia
Giant Monkey Totem
Totems for the great leaders and giant gorilla face.
A streak of light in the darkness. I love playing with light and textures.
More faces of ancient leaders.
How many faces do you see?
Skulls. As Carlos Castenada wrote, "It is always to our left, an arm's length behind us." To me that meant if I stretched my left arm out sideways, death was there. So close! Bones remind us to seize the day for tomorrow may never come.
Not real, only carved.
Giant Rabbit Totem. Appease her and perhaps the rabbits will not eat all of their food and yours, too.