Sau schönes B&W Bild +5

Lord! I've never been able to work in charcoal like this! Beautiful. +5

This piece strikes me as lonely. I see a man with tired eyes and tired hands. His work is all he has.

Funny, there's a box on the shelf that reminds me of a certain series by Clive Barker. I wonder...

it looks excellent!

so cool more details

This image doesn't evoke any particular feeling in me I'm afraid . It feels a little overworked. But technically it's lovely, especially the hands! My interpretation of this image is of an old craftsman who has picked up a long-forgotten piece and begun to work on it again. He originally put it down because it represented a lost lover, but as time heals all wounds he now has the strength to pick it up again and finish his work.

Excellent work. The thoughtful expression and organized clutter of tools on the desk show the mans obvious passion for his work. He seems to be pondering the fragility of life.

I dont think it is over worked.. I think its great. It reminds me a bit of AI

It is warm~

It doesnt seem to me to be a particularly sad piece... originally i thought, lost lover idea - but looking more carefully it seems to me as though the toy maker is looking up at the space next to the big mask on the top shelf - where he is about to reach up and place the mask he is holding. I think this takes the relevance off the mask in his hand and makes you think more about the situation... he seems like a man passionate about his work, but I half expect his happy grandchildren to come bursting in and him to accept them with open arms.
I like this work a lot - It was worth the time and I dont feel its over worked, just detailed. As far as mood, I think its a mans joy of life, as he realises its not going ot last forever, but not in a sad way. +6 (dont think i've ever given a +7)

Amazing detail is remarkable

It gives me a very good feeling of confort and warm.
I don´t know... like what he´s doing is done with such love and care.
Congratulations. It´s not aways that we can see a piece like this made with such heart.

goodness.. i missed seeing this one before.. LOVELY work..

it makes me think of nostalgia..

It really makes me think of some Rockwell's ideal representation of special moment in ordinary people's life. This one could be about the dediction of an unknown craftman for his work. and yes, there's also a nostalgic feel for some past trade.

hey all...thanks to those who took the time to post crits and interpretations...as always, I find it fascinating to hear what people read into artwork. For anyone who's interested, I guess the closest one to what I originally had in mine was Noah, with his AI comment, because I originally envisioned this old craftsman making this idealized beauty which he would then breath life into...however, during the course of making it, other ideas came into play, and hearing the comments about lost loves and mortality and the passion for his work were really great comments, and actually made me reexamine the piece for myself!

much appreciated and keep them coming

I agree that there's a sort of nostalgia in this piece.....

For me, it brings up images of Geppetto in Pinocchio.. he's a lonely old man who's craft makes him happy... makes him think of things past.

Beautiful work!

Hello Jim Moore
I like this alot. There is a nice amount of detail and I love the subtle fade at the bottom. This is a technique I have always been fond of but never found the time to develope any skills in. Excellent Job

I think it's great. I love how the picture shows emotions. You managed to fit a lot of details in. Do you mind telling me how big the original work is?

Another stunning piece of work. - I love how the charcoal gives it that extra dusty touch, it's as though we peak through a window to get a glimpse of old times.

Somehow reminds me of Pinocchio... keep it up. Seeing this sort of work is a great break from "digi-mania".

max points

Sorry, but my poor english is not good enough to tell how i feel watching this masterwork. Great!

well, its about meaning of life

and perhaps its a bit of a selfportrait

And well im not sure about why there is no smiling mask, but im sure it make sense.

Fantastic work, in every sense. I wouldn't change a thing.
What I see in this toymaker must be the same search for perfection you had working on and off of this for 2 years. It has a superb mood, and it really shows dedication.

I've recently broken into charcoals, and I love them oh so very much.

After viewing your gallery, I must say that I adore your work. Your talents resemble what mine aspire to be. Thank you for your art, because it's a nice addition to my "I'd love to draw like that" section.

Very well done!

beautifull really, you can almost see the expression of love for his work at the mans face

The two masks up top really draw my eye in. They seem like they can just come to life in the piece. Amazing eye for detail.

Amazing piece, he looks as if he is very happy with his work, but the thing I love most of the tiredness, the old feel to it.

It reminds me of Norman Rockwell.I mean the feeling it evokes .
For me the man finds enough beuty to be happy with his life.The whole mood of the picture is fairy -tale .
Hope I didn't say something wrong.

Great talent!!!

Lovely picture.

Maybe the old man has wanted to be someone else but him all his life?
I really love this pic and all the details!