Great perspective and rendering. Edward Hopper meets M.C. Escher. The shadows add allot to the great illusion of depth. Only thing I would add is more contrast between the tone of the sofa seat cushion and the back of the man leaning forward.

I love that soft lighting and shadowing. Definately enhances the mysterious atmosphere

Wow impressive. Good job on the perspective and I see no flaws in shape and shade. How long did this take you?

Ahhh... what do have here -I've never seen your w0rk around - yes, very unique - A toast to volpe, well d0ne!

thanks all,
yes shambler, I am new here...browsed this site off and on, signed up when I heard about their server woes...checked out your stuff...I see you also know the feel of charcoal on your hands ...cheers

Hey this is nice... good to see other people still work traditionally - +4

Oh, the agony of waiting! They're probably waiting for my wife to get ready to go out. I can't stand it either!

I really luv the dramatic tone of your charcoal drwings. It really draws me into the scene. The perspective of this piece in particular is quite refreshing. Almost like an outer body experience. (+5) Well done.

so detailed and clean with charcoal !! impressive concept and execution.

I love it.

Very professional charcoal illustration.
Good work,+5.

It's a really great illustration. but i have a question, isn't gfx for digital pictures only? which would make the traditional media (such as charcoal or oil painting, etc) out of play.

Ummm - ill field that, no dumbass... digital painting is for strictly digital paintings. Illustrations can be made from anything. even... dare i say, mixed media?? yea so there ya go smarty.

very nice. i love the feel of charcoal

Really great and very professional work!!
Totaly amazing.

thanks again for the comments folks..this is a really great site...
Look: I'm hoping that no one minds traditional media thrown in here...I've seen others, including the elites, use it, so I'm assuming it's ok as long as I catagorize it properly, as goblinking suggests..

goblinking: appreciate the clarification, but no need for the negativity..I don't think Look was trying to be insulting..at least I hope not : /

Damn nice. Really impressive!

very nice it seems a difficult view to draw figures in perspactive... everything looks so perfect and well done...

This is quite amazing. Interesting angle. I like it.

hey volpe, nice work
"this rulez" you know what i mean

i really want to know about this short story, i really like this

oh man.. that's amazing.. I agree with above.. I want to know this story now..

glad you know i didn't mean anything bad. I really like the piece, just that I wasn't sure about which media they'd accept here.

Very cinematic feel. Film noire if you will. Your very good.

To LuxemburgrQueen and Shadowgirl ( and other's interested): it is the highest compliment I could be paid that I made you curious about the story this was based on. After a great deal of searching, I finally tracked it down once again. So, here in it's entirety, is Joyce Carol Oates' "One Flesh":

They are sitting at opposite ends of the old horsehair sofa waiting for something to happen. A rainy summer night, or is it a rainy autumn night, smelling of wet leaves. A muffled reedy music permeates the room like remembered music in which rhythm is blurred. One by one, enormous soft winged insects fly towards them, or scuttle above their heads on the ceiling. Several clocks tick in unison, sounding like a single clock.

from the anthology " In Exile"

great piece! and already among the elite nominees! you're a hurried man.

Awesome job, excelent charcoals.Great concept!What else can i say? BRAVO

Wonderful drawing, it reminds me of the art of Chris Van Allsburg.

Really great! I love it! I agree with shanesemler - its very reminicient of Chris Van Allsburg - one of my all time favorite illustrators, and I think volpe more than did justice to his style here.

excellent

Fantastic!