The Black Cat 1934 Tribute by genocyber

exllcent work here

This is an excellent representation of both Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff,both cast perfectly in a great classic horror film. I just love the old black and white horror films of that era.
They looked more surreal and frightening that way.

Greetings, Genocyber.

I see that you have a strong inclination towards the many classic films of horror media. Certainly I'd have little exposure to the esteemed areas of the art were it not for your artwork here. I'm a secluded individual, though largely out of choice; it's why eccentrics such as yourself bring a welcome richness here to DA.

Now then, foremost I notice that your use of the grayscale image is both a fair adherence to the core material, but also an instance where you make great use of depth in the picture. Whether intentional or unintentional, the two figures have a feeling of both distinction and character.

Let's move from the background to the focal points. Literall taking the background into account, I find it effective that the background is more of an abstract of shades, not hinting at any notable location; it makes the portraiture aspect seem more pure, as there is no interfering sense of locale to take away from the presence of the actors. The grayscale also provides a range of tones from which to judge the figures.

Although a subtle factor, the poses of the two actors are also an interesting part of their depiction. Vitus on the left has a much more stationary stance, but almost seems to be leaning aside, towards Hjalmar; the latter, likewise, has the sense of looming forward, and considering his size, there is an amusing hue of intimidation to him. Vitus' clothing somehow seems to have an armored appearence due to his shapely jacket and stance; the jacket adds to his sense of form with it's many strong folds and tracery of lines. Hjalmar, in opposition, seems almost the embodiment of indefinable, sharp presence, again adding to that amorphous atmosphere of threat.

Vitus seems almost to express a hidden compulsion or thought/suggestion towards the viewer. His fanned hand seems almost a defensive gesture, as if to ward one away. Although your hand anatomy has yet to solidify, this case is an interesting stylization, and works well with the image. Vitus, further, possesses details such as the collar of his sweater, and the buckle of his pants, giving him a more exposed, worldly appearence. Hjalmar, without any further expression than his face, is oppositinally dark and unreadable, except for the stern nature of his facial expression.

Lastly, Vitus' own expression is clearly connected to the rest of him; considering the degree of differences in the form of his eyes, there is a sort of duality to him: one side calm, and the other with a discerning sort of awareness towards something we do not know of, or which only he has seen. The lines and subtle shades of his face and forward/direct appearence suit your style, and capture him well, so far as I am aware of his appearence. Hjalmar, facing slightly away, embodies a sly appearence. Unified and quiet in his ways, it has a rather feline sense of deception; again, your use of line, shades, and foreshortening over the span of his head add a great sense of depth to his form, despite your basic choice of style and shades.

Some matter, most notably the diamond pattern on Vitus' jacket, could be better developed as to appear to wrap properly around his form more. Hjalmar's own overcoat could also use some tinkering as to bring out it's sense of underlying anatomy a little (without losing your stylized smoothness of appearence, of course); foremost it would be the area of his shoulders which seems to conflict the most. The area of Vitus' arms could also be adjusted, such as his outspread hand being moved aside as to provide length for his lower arm (or simply imply that his arm outward more, as opposed to being held in a typical cross-armed manner), and his nested hand seems too far into his arm - again, balance of his anatomy would easily correct that.

Overall a very effective piece of work, Geno. It does highlight how much your stylization has solidified, including your rather unique sort of portraiture and interesting intuitive expressiveness of the figures.

You kept the tallest guy as menacing as he looks in the movie.

You did a really great job on Boris an' Bela they really do look like themselves, and I'm so envious at how much you're improving ;w;
Be proud! Its fantastic~!
_{Even the phone is dead...}