King Arthur Pendragon Bust by Bigchild Creatives

This was the last of three academic busts I painted up throughout the first half of 2024 with the plan to try and push my painting skills - and I’d like to think hopefully the best of them.

This one I really wanted to think about whether I could convey a story with the painting, and there are also a lot of really great versions of this bust that imagine him as this noble king so wanted to see if I could find room for a different interpretation. I imagined him as perhaps going slightly mad, watching his kingdom burn below him, or maybe staring into a fireplace thinking about his past life, but overall wanted a slightly fearful or crazed look in his eyes - I hope this comes across when you view him.

As always, learned a lot while painting, particularly about the NMM and lighting that I’d like to improve on for the next one - but overall am really happy with the finished model.

  • OrigalumPLUS

    Great work with light and textures. Gold

  • eric wolfsPLUS

    Great painting, Vote Gold

  • Roman LappatPLUS

    Love the character you created here with color, ambience and his eyes!

    • Alexi Karahaliou

      Thanks Roman, I really appreciate it!

  • Adam Gamble

    Amazing

  • Magnus FagerbergPLUS

    Very good!

    • Alexi Karahaliou

      Thanks so much! Glad you like the model!

  • Painter-Dmitry

    You can just see him watching a town burn in a mixture of fear and determination. Event before reading the description I could clearly read the emotion and story. Incredible job.