This tutorial will explain how I was able to make this piece. There’s nothing special about the process of making it. It was just a product of right and correct composition, color, and lighting with the exception of additional elements such as the usage of custom brush textures.
Inspiration
The muse behind the selection of this character is rooted from the indigenous group of Ifugaos in the Philippines. They are mostly found in the Southern part of Benguet which is located in the Cordilleras of North Luzon. I have always had an eye on them because of the uniqueness of their costume and the play of colors that surround them – making them stand out from the rest of the Filipinos.
In the same way that they have taught me what it is to have a sense of individualism, I have made them a source of a unique selection that chooses to differ from the usual fantasy and/or sci-fi inspired works. And as my selection speaks for itself and for me, I have chosen it believing that there is also a sense of beauty of going against the mainstream by showing a different perspective. In my case, that would be going back to a “lost” culture of my ancestors. I found beauty in realist art that reflects facets of truth based on a character that is grounded on culture and history.
And so the Ibaloy warrior has risen not just for the sake of art but also for me as an artist – so that I could also stand and show to the rest of my fellow Filipinos and to the rest of the world that I do not solely rely on Western or international art but that I also know where my roots are from and that I’m proud to be able to give life to a painting slash portrait of a Filipino as a Filipino.
Here lies a history of a warrior who has stood amidst violence to fight for his tribe – to be their protector, to be their survivor, and to be their hero against evildoers and subjugators.
The first thing I did was to find a photo reference on the Internet that would fit with the idea I have in mind and with how I planned on accomplishing it using the available resources I have. I am also very fond of collecting photos because I see a certain importance to them for future references of art. While searching for references, I was lucky enough to have talked to a friend who was also a photographer and who had beautiful subjects such as the picture of this man in the painting. It was after such that I was able to start composing a sketch that looked like this.
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