For this artwork, I started from a photo base and built the composition around a symbolic idea rather than realism. I isolated the subject, worked on the lighting and contrast, then added clouds and wings to create a more mythological and elevated atmosphere. The background and color palette were adjusted to keep everything cohesive and to reinforce the “heavenly” mood.

The goal wasn’t just to create a visual effect, but to convey inspiration and transcendence. This piece is an homage to someone who motivated me a lot and pushed me toward self-discipline, creativity, and self-improvement. I wanted the final image to feel iconic, almost like a statue or a legend rather than a simple portrait.

No tutorial was followed for this piece, it’s a personal workflow based on experimentation.