Kirsti Näntö-Salonen
March 2025 - The Sandman
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
A couple of weeks ago, I saw the Salvador Dali painting ”The Sandman” in an exhibition, and could not get it off my mind. I tried to create something like a more gentle version with the magic intact but without the dark and oppressive surreal elements. I used bits and pieces of previous composites in multiple layers.- I started with the silhouette of the Sandman (Orig.1) that I turned into a negative, added a Luminosity Mask, and placed on a layer of the forest background (Orig. 2). I then selected only the figure of the Sandman from the masked layer and added Inner Glow and Gaussian Blur. On top of these, there are several layers of the forest and the Sandman selection with Diffuse Glow, in opacities between 13-52%. Then I pasted on the Dreams (Orig. 3-4) with Inner and Outer Glow, added a blue Recolor layer on top, and a layer of fog in 18% opacity in Luminosity blend mode to help to tie it together. - I don?t know if the background is too messy, but I felt that the tangle of twigs and branches from the Sandman layer might give the image some depth? What do you think?
12 comments posted
The rendering in blue is quite eye-catching. The sandman and the bear king are strong figures that dominate the image--which is a good thing. However, as I am a "Less is more" kind of artist, I feel that the lower left-hand corner is distracting. I also favor surrealism and see nothing wrong with creating a little disequilibrium with only the sandman, the bear king, and the woods. This is the genesis of an image worth mining. I hope you revisit it. Posted: 03/05/2025 09:05:41
Thank you very much, Alan, I could not wait to get by the computer to test the concept. I adjusted the crop and Levels a bit, too. I think that this version holds a special new tension: I find myself searching for unseen things and secrets among the branches. I feel that there is something of the atmosphere of the Dali painting that affected me so, minus the haunting eyes. Posted: 03/05/2025 10:43:43
Here is the real surreal thing Posted: 03/05/2025 10:49:01
You and I have been on the same page frequently, and your revision puts us there again. Your reducing the crowd on the lower left has created a strong diagonal which commands the eye of the viewer and creates a compelling mystery. My parents were quite enamored with Dali, and I grew up browsing through their books of his paintings and drawings. I'm not familiar with his later work such as the one that captivates you, but he was an influential artist throughout his lifetime. Posted: 03/05/2025 13:41:29
Kirsti, I wasn't familiar with this Dali painting. It certainly does not fit with Alan's less and more preference. In fact Dali's surrealism is often packed with a lot of details that seem almost too personal. I am a huge fan of surrealism and gravitate towards Magritte for his simplicity. I find both versions of your image compelling. There is a lot to visually explore. You've done a great job choosing the glowing edge and complex shadows. You could certainly add some yellow/orange hues to the umbrella or maybe a fire at the center of your circle of witches if you want to bring further attention to the Dali image but I like it how it is. Posted: 03/05/2025 17:59:38
Brad, thank you very much for the new ideas! I'll keep on playing with the image! Posted: 03/06/2025 11:11:58
Hi Kirsti,
You have created a striking image inspired by Dalí's surreal masterpieces while finding your own path to express creativity in a surrealistic way.
I particularly like your second version without the group of dancers, as Alan pointed out-it creates a stronger visual connection between the Sandman and the bear. I'm not entirely sure about the blue tonality, but as you said, in a surreal world, anything is possible!
Posted: 03/06/2025 13:59:12
You have created a striking image inspired by Dalí's surreal masterpieces while finding your own path to express creativity in a surrealistic way.
I particularly like your second version without the group of dancers, as Alan pointed out-it creates a stronger visual connection between the Sandman and the bear. I'm not entirely sure about the blue tonality, but as you said, in a surreal world, anything is possible!
Posted: 03/06/2025 13:59:12
Thank you, Maria! The more often I look at the image, the more I like that version, too. - I think that the image wishes to be blue, but I'll test various hues! Posted: 03/06/2025 14:18:30
So well done, Kirsti. As you saw last month, I really enjoy color simplification and the blue / white you have here is an excellent creative choice. It takes the viewer right into the scene with the man in the forest. You have some great suggestions above. I could add one more ... take out the bear and girl so you can expand what you have on the bottom center to make a foreground leading line border of sorts.
My only suggestion is that you have a lot of white light on the bottom third of the image so maybe add some glows and pops of light in the center around the man and the upper part of the image. Really great work! Posted: 03/13/2025 16:38:09
My only suggestion is that you have a lot of white light on the bottom third of the image so maybe add some glows and pops of light in the center around the man and the upper part of the image. Really great work! Posted: 03/13/2025 16:38:09
Thank you so much, Matt! I started to sketch the idea and I think that it will turn out just lovely! - I'll test adding light in the upper part, too - my original idea was that the Sandman would sort of fade in the background after conjuring up the Dreams. Posted: 03/18/2025 18:48:00
Very cool image, Kirsti! The blue color works really well, and I think the tangle of branches makes an interesting frame around the man. The umbrella is an interesting touch. I really like the faint branches showing through the man.
I like your second version the best.
I don't have anything to add to the great suggestions the group gave you already. Posted: 03/17/2025 11:30:22
I like your second version the best.
I don't have anything to add to the great suggestions the group gave you already. Posted: 03/17/2025 11:30:22
Thank you, Peggy! I have now so many lovely variations to play with! Posted: 03/18/2025 02:53:38