Creating a piece of art like the ancient temple painting with a Mayan stone panther head can be a challenging and rewarding process. One of the most important aspects of the process is the countless sketches and iterations I did in Photoshop.

Designing the image was a process that took many hours of careful planning and execution. I began by sketching out rough ideas for the composition and layout of the image. From there, I started experimenting with different elements, such as the Mayan stone panther head and the small stone temples lodged into the mountains.

As I worked on the image, I received valuable input and feedback from mentors and peers who helped me identify errors and pushed the design along further. They provided me with insights and suggestions that helped me refine and improve the final product.

One of the most challenging aspects of creating the image was the use of hot boiling lava (which later became glowing blue water). I spent a lot of time experimenting with different techniques to get the lava to look realistic and dynamic. In the end, I used a combination of Photoshop filters and manual painting to achieve the desired effect.

Another important aspect of the image is the use of cinematography and dramatic lighting. I carefully placed the safari explorer in the foreground on a rocky ledge, full of lava, to give the image a sense of depth and movement. I also used lighting techniques to create a sense of drama and tension in the image.

Some of the many paint overs I did to create this scene.

The final product is an image that is visually striking and evocative. The ancient temple with the Mayan stone panther head, the small stone temples lodged into the mountains, and the safari explorer looking on from the foreground all come together to create a sense of wonder and awe. The distant mountain in the background adds a sense of scale and grandeur to the scene.

Overall, creating this image was a challenging and rewarding process. I am grateful for the help and guidance of my mentors and peers, without whom the final product would not have been possible and I’d like to mention them in this article so they know how much I appreciated it.

Thank you:

• Brandon

• Kamille

• Karlan

• Sebastian

• Julie

• Meister

• Bea

• Elizabeth

• Ty

• Lip

• Mako

• Victoria

• Heather (my wife)

These people who are my fellow colleagues, mentors, family and peers provided invaluable insight being my “extra eyes” to help me realize this design. Thank you!

A Molehill Into A Mountain

The movie below shows all the paint overs I did to create this image.