Redux: Hold Me
What you see above is the original version of my artwork concept entitled “Hold Me” from 2009. At the time I created this, I was in the midst of a very deep depression and had medication issues. I came up with many dark and emotional artworks during this time including “Hold Me”.
Read on to see exactly how this artwork has evolved over the years as I tried to perfect it. To see the most recent and/or final redux of this artwork, see here: Hold Me
Here is what I wrote about the original “Hold Me” back on February 04, 2009:
Self explanatory.
Below you can see my first try at this concept and the second redux from 2012. (I was unable to find the first redux from 2011.) As you can see, it changed quite a bit between the original and the redux while still looking quite similar. I changed the setting while keeping the dark blue theme and curtains, changed her hair and updated her textures to include injuries, re-morphed the pillow to look more natural, and finally created a brand new IDL light setup. I also postworked the artwork differently. The original was made to look like it was behind a veil of tears. The redux version is cleared and more detailed.
I liked the 2012 redux at the time I created it and for the longest time I wasn’t sure how I could improve it though I knew it needed improving in time. I finally came up with a fantastic idea on how to breathe renewed life into this artwork in late 2018.
Below you can see a comparison between the 2012 redux and the near final version of 2018. As you can see, I changed the setting from a plain dark blue room to an attic filled with bird cages. The birds are leaving her behind as she struggles to find comfort. I kept the main figure mostly the same while updating a few shaders here and there. I don’t think it’s quite perfect yet but it is definitely getting there.
Notice the cuts and bruises, what has she been through? Why is she so desperate for comfort of any kind? And why is everyone leaving instead of helping her?
I generally like the newest redux but, as I said, it isn’t quite up to my idea of perfection yet. I don’t know when or if I will create another redux, perhaps in 2020? We shall see. So, for now, this is the currently best version of “Hold Me”.
To see the artwork page for “Hold Me”, click here. You can also find out how to purchase prints and more of the redux from that page.
