LOST CITY
The image draws emotional depth from JONY’s song “Kamin,” particularly the line “You cannot touch my soul, my soul is like a bird”. This lyric reflects the essence of my artwork, the idea that my soul and memories are untouchable, free, and forever in motion. The black birds rising from the fire in the composition symbolise this very freedom: even as memories burn and fade, the spirit continues to soar. This composition is deeply inspired by Maggie Taylor’s surreal storytelling style, blending memory, symbolism, and visual narrative. The architectural elements in the background represent the heart of Samarkand.
Photoshop
Restoring Image & Colorizing:
Using a combination of tones and color adjustments, I brought the image back to life. The source photo was old and damaged, so I restored it using digital retouching tools similar to the techniques used to repair aged or deteriorated photographs.
Using Photoshop watercolor brushes, I painted a bubble and used a single fluid gesture to blend the colors within, creating a dynamic, luminous effect.
Photoshop
Composed Process:
I added a cropped fireplace, birds, and loose paper. The paper transitions into birds, creating a visual flow upward from the fireplace. Beneath the birds and paper, I painted a curved shadow that aligns with the mountain’s contour lines to create a cohesive transition.
Photoshop
Final Composition:
To reinforce the mood, I added darkened vignette corners, giving the final image the feel of an old, rediscovered story. I painted seaweed and adjusted its hue and opacity to create a muted, dreamlike texture. For the finishing touches, I shifted the background and building colors toward an aged, rusty palette, enhancing the atmosphere of nostalgia.