Contessa and the Squid

This design features Monica's rendition of a contemporary oil painting, Contessa and the Squid, reimagined in her style. The subject is beautiful and reminiscent of Medusa, yet with a strange twist. The execution is exemplary of Monica's studies in painting, which she pursues heavily outside of tattooing, allowing her to understand the dynamic shadows on the face and the skin tones on the face and hands. Of note is her awareness to the fall of light, with the lightest point on the woman's forehead, casting shadows throughout the piece in the same direction. Monica even places drop shadows below the tentacles, giving the piece more depth and cohesion. The color palette is similar to that of a baroque, Caravaggio-esque oil painting. By Monica Snyder.

By Monica Snyder at Eden Body Art Studios.

Styles: Surrealism, Painterly.