Not So Scary Greeters
In this painting, titled "Not So Scary Greeters," we embark on a journey to preserve the enchanting memories of a Walt Disney World vacation and capture the spirit of the Autumn and Halloween seasons at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. This commissioned digital painting is a tribute to the iconic jack-o’-lanterns that welcome visitors just inside the tunnel entrances of the Magic Kingdom Park during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween parties. Let’s delve into the artistic process, blending technology, creativity, and the magic of Disney.
For this painting, because the wonderful jack’o lantern greeters are so pivotal, I carefully tried to consider the importance of geometric shapes and perspective, I wanted to impart a path of movement for the viewer’s eye. Because the subjects were round and their wooden crate so square, I chose to use the perspective of Main Street to try and achieve that movement path. The angle of shapes, background, and foreground perspective work together to create a captivating artwork that hopefully draws the viewer's eye to the central subject.
Once the composition is decided on, my thoughts and work turn to color. I usually run through a series of considerations for the color scheme of a piece. I wanted orange to be an important part of the overall work, not only because of the subjects but also to try and impart a sense of the season as it occurs in Orlando, Florida. I considered an overall orange wash of color but felt that might have come across like it was a promotion piece for the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parties instead of a cherished vacation memory of the greeters themselves.
Once the composition and color scheme are thought out, the focus turns to the details stage, where I use the monochromatic underpainting technique known as gra-sigh (grisaille). This technique of laying down the values of the lights and shadows using grays has been practiced by artists for well over a thousand years. This method also allows the artist to paint thin or transparent layers of color over the values layer to bring the painting to life.
The values layer is where much of the detail work is accomplished and where I try to infuse the magic and memory of the vacation experience for the friend who commissions the artwork. The painting also features the Main Street Theater, where the wonderful Mickey Mouse meet-n-greet is held. Friends and family can also meet Tinkerbell in the theater. Farther down the street is Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and the Main Street Confectionary, all contributing to the rich tapestry of Disney memories.
Most of the work in this painting is done in the values stage, and once it is finished, I moved on to the layers of transparent color. Working in the color, I liked how the blues of the sky complemented the oranges. I also applied washes of blue to the green of the tree and the background buildings. I used transparent washes of purple in the sidewalk, foliage, and shadows of the theater. The oranges of the ‘greeters’ were also used in the packing crate, highlighting the theater and the concrete elements.
Once the color layers are washed in, the final touches involve painting highlights throughout the artwork. This stage is a really fun one, where the painting seems to come to life. A spattering spray of orange and white is applied to try and convey a sense of fun to complete the painting.
"Not So Scary Greeters" is not just a commissioned digital painting; it's a gift that immortalizes Disney vacation memories. From its roots in the rough sketch stage to the magical transformation that mirrors the changing seasons at the Magic Kingdom, this painting is intended to stand as a unique vacation gift for the family. Whether as a bridal gift, wedding present, or custom artwork celebrating a special occasion, artwork from Brush of Magic hopes to capture the spirit of Walt Disney World in a way that goes beyond the ordinary. It's a reminder that the magic of Disney can be cherished and shared through the lens of artistic creation.
