Green Tide

The color and texture of this flame are my favorite things about it. The green shades go all the way from almost-blue to almost-yellow (although there are really only three gradations present), counterbalanced by the slight purplish tint of the brighter areas. The elongated lines that make up the flame remind me of a photograph with an over-long exposure time; blurred and static, but still conveying motion.

I had a really hard time positioning this piece on the canvas. The dark green section on the right-hand side continues a lot farther than I'd have liked it too, and it started looking fuzzy and grainy, just as the smaller repeats of it do. I generally don't like to cut off just a small piece of a flame the way I've done here, but it turned out to be the best solution without altering the shape of the flame.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Khaki Coral

This piece has a little bit of blur effect on it, but I'm not sure I like the way I turned out. It didn't work without the blur--the lines were too thin and hard. But I couldn't figure out how to make it blur evenly across the whole piece. I suspect that now I could make it work, but this piece is from about two years ago. As much as I talk about going back and fixing old pieces, I'd rather spend the time making something new. The creative energy required is the same, and it seems to be in finite supply.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Rotary Hummingbird

The unnatural merging of a hummingbird and a helicopter, the rotary hummingbird was created by a deranged geneticist. I really have to wonder why he bothered. I mean, after all...hummingbirds can already hover. And the poor thing must get terribly dizzy what with all that spinning.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Static Electricity

Bzzzzck! It's been a little while since I've posted a flame that requires sound effects. But this one certainly does. Probably something along the lines of those musical tesla coils. It probably doesn't play star wars music, though.

This flame uses the popcorn variation, which is nothing new by this point. But I really like the way the fractal pattern visible in the center of the flame gets distorted and wonky-shaped at the edges by it.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Upward Path

Nifty little switchback things, see? I suppose it looks like the sort of thing you'd see as a cartoony fortress of evil, perched on some absurd precipice.

Not that that's a bad thing. Absurd precipices are fun.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Stellar Navigation Hazard

I find this flame's title delightfully vague. What are we looking at, here? Is the object seen the navigation hazard itself? The star exploding? Or just a warning beacon with bright flashing lights on it? Personally I like the last option, but it does have a little bit of an exploding feel to it.

This flame uses an orange/blue color scheme, but I'm not quite sure I got the correct hues to make it really work. I think the blue needed to be a little darker in comparison to the orange color, or the orange a little lighter. This just doesn't seem to be the right angle on the color wheel.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Lasing Cavity

I consider the name on this piece to be mediocre, but I really like the piece itself. The textures and shapes have a really fluid, billowy feel to them that is just cool to me. A lot of the pieces I really like have that sort of...mental sensation, I guess you could call it, to them. I don't like the squiggly jet quite so much, but it does provide a needed contrast to the rest of the piece. The colors could use some work, though. This piece is from back when I was still learning how to use them effectively.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Ectofoliage

This flame was another experiment with the 'blur' variation, and I really like the way it turned out. What's happened, in essence, is that there's another copy of the thin lines of the flame overlaid on the first, but smooshed out from the blur effect. There are also some color differences between the two sets of lines. It's difficult to see what I'm talking about, so I recommend taking a look at one of the full sized images.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Lace Nebula

This is one of the first pieces that I tried using the blur effect on. I only used a tiny, tiny speck of it, but it was enough to soften some of the lines. There was a good deal of fiddling around with it to see how much was too much and how much was not enough. I wanted to add enough blur that it created a sort of out of focus effect that got more pronounced as it moved outwards from the center, but not so much as would make it really blatant.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Fin-eel

I'm sad to say that I can't remember if this flame's title was supposed to be a pun on the word 'finial' or not. I can't figure out why it would be, but, you know...homonyms. I'm always suspicious of homonyms. There's always that little moment when somebody's talking about a vein and I'm not sure if the blood vessels carry conceit, or maybe point in the direction of the wind. There are plenty of leftover syllabic combinations in the English language. Why do we have to make some of them do double-duty?

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Waterslide

Anyone who's been to a water amusement park is familiar with their propensity for cool color schemes, especially in watery colors like blue and green. My memory of this flame's creation process is non-existent, so I don't know if I did the color or the shape first, but I think they fit well together and with the title.

WheeeeeeSPLOOSH!

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Fern Mat

I really like the way the composition on this piece turned out. Most of the mass of the image is spread out, but the focus ends up being that blue and green section around the negative spiral parts. The colors also seem to introduce a little of that false-illumination effect that's shown up in a few other flames. I also think that the beige sort of color goes really nicely with the green and blue shades. Although maybe my saying that is redundant; obviously I liked it or I wouldn't have used it (Well, except for the times I've used colors I don't like and complained about. So scratch the redundancy comment.)

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Snakey Swirly Thing

I think this is probably one of the most descriptive titles I've given to a flame (I'm literally describing the flame in the title, right?), even if it's one of the least articulate. I suppose something like 'Serpentine Vortices' would have sounded cooler, but I feel like this flame is pretty enough that it should have an unpretentious name. I like the irony.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Infinite Peephole

My favorite thing about this flame is the color palette. That turquoise and orange set is really a nice combination. I don't have a color wheel handy, but I suspect those two shades would be just about opposite each other. Most of the time opposing colors clash, but blue and orange seems to be an exception. That might just be my opinion, though. I don't know. Color perception is such an individual thing.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Aurora Visions

I've been putting off posting this flame because I'm not really sure what to say about it. I meant for it to look like something, but I'm not sure it does. If I squint really hard with my mind's eye, sure. But I'd really prefer that it looked like something without that kind of effort. There's a certain 'feeling' that I associate with this piece, but I couldn't put a name to it or link it to an object, place, or concept. It's frustrating.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Brushfire

This piece uses a larger range of colors than I usually like to work with, but I like the effect. I don't think the title would work if it were just the orange and red shades. With the greens and whites and grays in there, I can see this flame as a picture of fire running through foliage.

'Brushfire' was a really tricky piece to frame. There were a lot of undesirable elements, and the shape of the main repeats and the curvature of the piece made it difficult to cut them off without leaving straggling chunks of them on the canvas. Obviously I never entirely succeeded at that.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Burrowfabric

I'm not entirely satisfied with this flame's title, but it was one of those days where I said "Okay, I've worked on this for long enough. I'm going to slap the first title that comes to mind on it and call that good." It's not really a bad title; I do like the mental image of fabric arranged into a series of strange tunnels and passageways like an M.C. Escher inspired tent. But I probably could have come up with something better if I'd taken the time.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Frozen Flower

Another recent piece, this flame uses some of the same techniques as 'Beach Mosaic,' which I posted about a month and a half ago. I really think that the julian 'frame' (the notchedy circle thing) helps stabilize this piece. Without it the the upper ends of the spirals would just kind of fade off into fuzzy, pixelated oblivion. I really wish I could have kept the center section of the piece free of the frame's effects, though. I might have to go back to this piece and see if I can unlink the two sometime.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Glitter in the mud

This flame started out blue. But that looked silly, so now it's brown. I did some various other fiddling with it, mostly figuring out which part was most interesting and focusing the camera on that section.

This is another of those flames that uses a tiny, tiny repeat to create a glittery, sparkly effect. I hope I get a chance to figure out what exactly the best way to render these for printing is sometime soon, because I know 'Copper Flakes' gave me a lot of grief. Apophysis does this weird thing where it rounds really small elements up to one pixel in size on the render. So if the glittery bits are too small, when I shift the render size from 1280x1024 to 3000x2400, the glittery bits are five times smaller and invisible on the prints. It's very strange.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Nebular Flow

'Nebular Flow.' It sounds nice and peaceful, right? Well, I'm no astronomer, but the only reasons I can think of for a nebula to be flowing are black holes and stars sucking it in. That would, admittedly, be pretty fun to watch. But only from a safe distance.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Turbo Snail

While at first glance the turbo snail appears to be your typical paradoxical creature, he has a secret. He doesn't travel any faster than your average snail, he just fails his eyes a lot so it looks like he's moving faster. Please don't tell anyone. He's terribly embarassed about it.

I really like the orange, green, and blue sections of the color palette in this piece, particularly the gradations you can see at the upper left. They're nice, middle of the range colors, but they're still attractive. I need to use colors like that more often.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Water Orb

This piece probably falls somewhere on the high end of mediocre. I don't really like it, but it's still somewhat pleasing to look at and there aren't any truly glaring defects in it. The impression of motion saves this piece, I think. It looks like certain parts of it are swirling around other parts, possibly in different directions. I think it's just a little too chaotic and disorganized, though.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Focal Waves (reweight, brighter)

I fiddled with this piece a lot. There were several elements to the original flame that I found really interesting, but I couldn't bring them into balance and emphasize them the way I wanted to. I think I had three or four render cycles on this one before I was at least mostly satisfied. I think the result qualifies as 'pretty cool.' My favorite part is the scaly looking patterns at the bottom just to the right of the center. They looked kind of like snakeskin to me.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

The Confectionary's Art

Another recent piece, and one I consider to be among my best. It looked to me like chocolate with swirls of mint in it, carefully painted on some sort of candy. The color scheme is not remotely similar to anything I've tried before, but I really think it works well for this flame.

This is really the second version of this flame, but if I'd tried this alteration of the piece before I rendered it the first time the first version wouldn't exist. It's only one triangle different, but that difference adds a great deal of interest and texture. The original didn't have any of that nifty reducing spiral element to it at all. And that's just no fun.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Sound Bomb

This piece continues the trend of dangerous looking noise started in 'Sound Beam.' If you were to listen to it from a safe distance, it would probably make interesting bass crackling noises overlaid with an oscillating squeal. If the sonic weapon imagery doesn't appeal to you, think of it as a vortex of space-time stresses leading to the collapse of the universe as we know it. I'm fairly sure that would be my second choice for a title. You know, if the first were taken or something.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Anemone 2

It might be just a tad spiky for your average anemone, but I couldn't think of anything else that came in that color with that many tentacles. Are they tentacles because it's an anemone, or is it an anemone because they're tentacles? If it were a flower, I'd say they were petals. If it were a bacterium, I'd say they were cilia. So I guess it's the first one.

It's a little tough to pick out in the preview image, but the shape of this flame actually comes from a repeat with the 'waves' variation. It's just squished down so tightly that the oscillations overlap each other and appear solid. It causes some interesting striations and blurring.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Executive Desktop Gadget (recolor)

By 'Executive Desktop Gadget' I mean the sort of thing that comes up when you search Amazon for "Newton's Cradle": Pointless, nifty little toys for people who don't have anything better to do than sit behind a desk and look important. I have a few of these on the desk in my room, and while they're fun, they tend to be dust catchers that don't get touched in months. I'm not certain what manner of gadget the flame at right represents, but I'd want one if I knew.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Bird and Sharks

I'm not certain which part is the bird and which part is the sharks. Obviously they're all thrashing around a bit, kicking up foam and spray and other such things. Pretty sure there are some toothy bits in there, though. I wouldn't want to be the bird.

I really like the colors in this flame, especially where they start getting denser in the smaller repeats. It's an understated palette, but I think it works for this piece, making some sections shiny and some dull.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Lightning Generator

It's alive! Alive! Muahahahaha!

Okay, so pieces like this might have just the tiniest tendency to bring out my inner mad scientist. I blame the interactive exhibits at museums. And possibly the time I spend practicing my maniacal laugh when there's nobody else in the house. (Seriously, you should try it. If you can get really into it, there's nothing like a good maniacal laugh for relieving stress.)

Flames like this one really fascinate me. It's only got three triangles in it, and only two of those contribute significantly to the shape. It's a simple flame, but it produces a really complex image. I think if I had to pick one style of flame to work with, it would probably be simple flames like this.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Fish-mouse

This flame sort of reminded me of a fish, and at the same time put me in mind of a mouse or other small rodent. Hence, Fish-mouse. The fact that it's approximately chartreuse didn't enter into consideration. It's not a particularly eye-searing shade, for chartreuse. I actually quite like it, especially in combination with the more blue-ish green and the light pink or lavender 'fins.'

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Flagellated Mote

For those who don't remember either their biology or their Latin lessons from the dim mists of time, a flagellum is a whip or a whip like appendage found on some bacteria (and assorted other microscopic beasties). A mote is just a speck of dust. For some reason they're usually found in people's eyes. Hopefully there aren't any flagellated motes swimming around in yours, because that would be uncomfortable. Better than a flagellated beam, I guess.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Strata

I'm fairly certain this title explains itself. It doesn't really explain why the flame is blue (Hint: It's because I like blue). I've been watching a set of geology lectures on DVD lately, and some of the ways rock can fold look exactly like this. It's pretty cool.

This piece is one that really suffers from the limitations of a desktop resolution. I have a version of it that's taller than it is wide, and it snags a much different section of the flame. If I were ever to get it printed, I'd choose to take a smaller, vertical section and get some more detail.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Alchemical Mix

I'm about 98% certain that this is the same color palette I used for 'Pyrosquid.' It's kind of an interesting mix of hues...I think it says 'noxious chemicals' pretty well for this flame, though. That's kind of what I was going for. Looking at this flame today, it strikes me that this could be a hand that's been dipped in the aforementioned noxious chemicals. I wouldn't put it past some of those kooky old-time alchemists. They did all sorts of unsafe things with their work.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Non-Euclidean Ripples

I like to imagine all of these ripple patterns were caused by a single event taking place in a bizarrely folded geometry. Of course, I also like thinking about how it would work to perceive time as a dimension instead of linearly, so that might just be my little quirk.

This piece is another startlingly simple flame. Just looking at it I would assume it was fairly complicated, but that's not the case. It only has two repeats; one creates the ripple effect, the other causes the spiraling repetitions down towards the center. This piece is about two years old, and it seems that during that period I was switching off between 'really simple' and 'really complex' as working styles.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Nets 2

The original 'Nets' was virtually the same as this piece, except it had one additional repeat thrown in. I didn't care for the way that looked, so I pulled it out and rendered the flame again. This is the result. Getting rid of the added repeat enhanced the 'speed lines' effect and made the texture a lot clearer. I do wonder if I shouldn't have tried to adjust the colors while I was at it, though. That little patch of purple is a little distracting.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Fractured Cosmos

This piece is one I did in early February of this year, and I'm really pleased with the way it came out. It almost reminds me of a flower, but I wouldn't recommend trying to slot it into that mental box. When I try to do that I start noticing the way the different 'layers' appear to flip and twist.

This is a very simple flame on the technical side, with only two repeats involved. I think that's why it has such a definite fractal pattern; there's nothing else getting in the way. That also made it a great deal easier to color, although I ended up spending quite a bit of time on that part anyway. I had a hard time making myself stop working on this one, actually, just because there were so many small tweaks I could have made.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Nauplius

I couldn't come up with a name for this flame, so I asked someone else. My brother suggested the name 'Nauplius', which is apparently a crustacean larva, a figure from Greek mythology, or a type of flower. Take your pick. I think he was going for the crustacean larva though.

This piece is very much a 'many repeats' flame. There's not much distortion present in the basic repeats, although there's plenty in the peripheral stuff. This flame is another that used gradient 209, although it pulls from a different part of the palette than most of its siblings.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Swooshing Mists

While this flame is mostly just a 'look pretty' piece, I do think it looks something like what happens when you open a door into a room filled with smoke or fog from a machine. It's probably being lit by colored spotlights. Although it would be a neat trick if the vapor was actually that color.

This flame is an example of another distinct style produced by a specific variation ('Horseshoe' in this case). It likes to produce those swirly nodes like the one you see in the center there, with less tightly wrapped pieces as you get away from the center. 'Storm at the Terminator' is another good example of this variation. Where that piece uses the horseshoe variation almost exclusively, 'Swooshing Mists' has some distorted repeats that extend the initial shape into more complex forms.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Slice the Waves

Apparently we just missed seeing some sort of high speed watercraft go by. Oh well, at least it has an interesting looking wake. Consolation prize, I guess. I really like the section at the far left of this piece, where it has that little diminishing S-curve. There are some distorted repeats of that throughout the piece. If I were working with this flame today, instead of two-and-a-half years ago, I would probably try to isolate that piece of the flame by stripping away the other pieces, and then add in some less distorted repeats of it.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Portal in the Mist

For one reason and another I've always really liked this flame, even though I know it's not the greatest aesthetically. Part of it is probably the balance of colors in the piece; the colors themselves aren't a very appealing set, but the range of hues and intensities is good. The wavy shapes and textures are interesting, but the overall shape isn't that great; that pixelated patch in the bottom left really hurts the rest of the piece. Ah well. Somehow I still like this piece. I hope you do too, in spite of any failings it may have.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Alluvial

This piece's sparkly flecks and muddy color scheme made me think of panning for gold. It kind of looks like the stuff you'd be swirling around to try and separate the gold out.

The sparkly bits in this flame are rather interesting. They're actually very tiny repeats of the main shape. I've used this technique in a couple other flames before ('Copper Flakes' for example, although I didn't do it as effectively there). I think this is the most successful example of it, though.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Spiral Scales

This piece confuses me just a bit. I mean, I can see how it's constructed pretty well, that makes perfect sense to me. But trying to shove it into a convenient mental niche doesn't go so well. The closest I can come is an unusual and brightly colored musical instrument (whoo, double meaning on 'scales'!) or an exceedingly strange set of paint chips. Neither quite fits. I think the repeated spiral edges towards the bottom of the piece contribute to the confusion; my brain can't quite wrap itself around those. (Figuratively, not literally. That would be gross.)

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Time Lapse Candle

Take a candle. Put it in a slight breeze. Point a camera at it for a few minutes. I figure this is what it would look like, if you could avoid having the picture come out hideously overexposed. That bit probably wouldn't be very easy. Not being a photographer I don't know how technically challenging it would actually be.

This piece is one that stayed up as my desktop background for longer than most; I found it very soothing to look at. Probably because there aren't any jaggedy bits. The colors aren't eye searing either (I've gotten better at avoiding eye-searing colors, really), which some of my pieces from the same time period are, unfortunately.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Tinted Shark

The title for this flame might be as abstract as the image is. I was really stretching to try and find a name for this one. Ah well. I'm pretty sure there's at least a shark-like fin hiding in there somewhere. Maybe even a set of teeth. I suggest you look and see for yourself. If you happen to see something completely different in the process, I'd like to hear about it. It's always fun to get different viewpoints on the really abstract pieces I do. (Most of the time. I still don't feel too happy about that one my dad was convinced looked like a microscope slide of a parasite.)

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Drab Peacock

It occurred to me that this didn't really have to be a 'drab' peacock. All I had to do was change the colors. I kind of like them the way they are, though. They're restful, this way. Did you know that there are actually different colors of peacock? Apparently they've been bred into all sorts of different shades. I doubt there's one that has exactly this set of colors to it, but some of them come pretty close.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Bad Filing System

I feel sorry for the interns at that office. I mean, sure the files from M to Z look just fine, but the A through L section looks like it has some severe issues. Maybe they have a few problem cases in that section...the kind that make you want to crumple any and all sheets of paper involved into tiny, tiny balls.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Asymmetric Detonation

I was slightly distraught to discover that I had misspelled the title of this flame. I won't go into details, but it rather changed the intended meaning. Anyway, moving on...the combination of ragged, fractal edges and the circular 'shockwave' looking elements in this piece made me think of an explosion. Lots of flames seem to do that for some reason, but maybe it's just a little bit of innate pyromania. Or maybe it's because they're called 'flames' to start with.

The colors in this piece are a little odd. I think this was probably a random gradient that I didn't bother changing once I was finished with the shape of the flame. I might have to go back and work on this one some more at a future date.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Alien Leaves

When I look at this piece, it looks like there's a line of plants in the background, which are reflected in a body of water, and then there's another little clump of plants in the foreground. Of course, that whole shape is fractally repeated in that spur up at the top, and it spirals down all the way into "invisibly small" territory. I don't know how you could interpret that in real world terms.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Geometric Deluge

This piece speaks to me. It says "Splooosh!" I know, it's not a very deep and significant thing for a piece of artwork to say. But then, it's not a deep and significant piece of artwork.

I love the clarity of this piece. All of the lines are sharp and crisp, and there aren't any stray pixels. But despite that, it's still got an interesting, complex shape. The subtle color palette is also something I'm fond of. It's pretty much monotone, but there's still enough variation in saturation and brightness to keep it interesting.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Striking Mass

I'm pretty certain this is some kind of smiting. Maybe not the old-fashioned lightning-bolt style of smiting, but someone's definitely getting smote. I suppose if you rotated this piece about a hundred and twenty degrees clockwise it could also be a castle on a cloud. But the cloud part isn't balanced right for that to work very well.

I was very pleased with the two distinct sections of this flame. That dichotomy really adds interest. The colors worked out nicely to emphasize the separation as well.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Fighting Dustclouds

It certainly wasn't my intention when I named this piece, but it occurs to me that the name could mean those dustclouds you see in cartoons that always surround people who are fighting. You know, arms and legs occasionally flailing outside it, sound effects emanating from within...but as I said, that wasn't the intention. I was thinking more along the lines of eddies and whirls of dust laden air colliding and mingling.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Curious Plumage

This is a piece I did last month. I was pretty pleased with it, especially the color scheme and those little tufty bits that stick out from the rest of the flame (you may have to look at a large version to see them clearly). There are some birds that actually have weird ornamental feathers like that, although probably not in these precise shades and shapes.

This piece is a bit more complex than it looks, and it took a fair bit of time. I built it entirely from scratch, as that was the easiest way to maintain symmetry. I did a bit of messing around with xaos in this one, which are basically numbers attached to each repeat in the flame that tell it which other repeats it should connect to. It allows for cleaner shapes and less cluttered images, generally, although it is time consuming.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Algae Sediments

This flame is one of the few pieces that's mostly green that I've been satisfied with. I seem to have poor luck working with greens. But this piece turned out nicely. I especially like the lines that give it the lovely oily look. If I could have, I would have tried to even out the brightness of the piece a little, so that the edges weren't so faded. But, alas, there are some things that I have not yet figured out how to do. That's one fo them.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Eddies

No, I don't mean the plural of Eddy, that guy in the office down the hall. I mean eddies, as in the swirling reverse current created when a fluid flows past an obstacle. I'll grant you that this flame represents a strange sort of current. Maybe it's an upwelling.

This flame is rather unique on the technical side, and it was very finicky to work with. The spherical variation (which is the only one used here) tends to change shape when you try and move its position on the canvas, so placing elements in specific spots is difficult. It's composed of four repeats, but two of those are simply duplicates of the first two for coloring purposes. What you see here is probably only about 10% of the total area of the flame. The rest of it was too nebulous and faint to make for an interesting image. Zooming in like that usually leads to longer render times, but the serendipitious simplicity of 'Eddies' prevented that in this case.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Frosted Autumn

I am aware that it's not fall right now, but what the heck. This post will still be here in six months.

As I've said before, a lot of my flames aren't supposed to look like anything, they're just supposed to be pretty. 'Frosted Autumn' is one of those flames. Ideally, this piece and its title would convey a mental image of taking a walk in fall when the leaves are red and orange, and you can see the moisture in your breath. If it fails at that...well, it's still a pretty picture, and I am content with that.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Skeins of Sky

I'm quite fond of this piece. The little specks really sell the name. I think if I were to spend some more time working on it, the only thing I'd want to change is the color of that reddish section running through the middle. It doesn't fit, somehow. But overall I'm very happy with this flame. Somebody feel like giving me an excuse to do a print run?

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Lip of the Cataract

This flame was extremely difficult to place on the canvas. For some reason I just could not find an angle and position I was entirely happy with. The sense of movement (or speed lines, if you will) inherent in the piece made it really tough to figure out exactly where the focus for the flame needed to be. I'm still not completely satisfied with what I came up with, but it will do.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Motley Hat of the Apocalypse (recolor)

What kind of jester wears an apocalyptic hat? I don't know, but I bet his jokes are terrible (Ba doomp KSHHH). The original version of this flame was darker blue and more reddish, but the colors were the same in relation to each other. Sometimes I render a flame and realize that I've just picked ugly colors for it, and then I have to go back and do it again. It's rather irritating when that happens, but I'd rather add a little more work in than lose what I've already done on a flame.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Aurora 2

I don't know whether these colors are actually possible in an aurora. But it would be very cool if they were. According to wikipedia it's possible to have green, red, and blue as the base colors for an aurora. Those are the only colors your computer screen can actually produce, so maybe...

It's a little bit embarassing, but I wasn't actually sure if there was an 'Aurora' already when I named this piece. So I tacked a '2' on the end just in case. Fortunately I did have a piece titled 'Aurora' already. I would have felt pretty silly if there hadn't been. For the curious, that first piece can be seen here. I posted it about four and a half months ago.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Edge of the World

Growing up understanding that the world is a sphere (mostly) spinning around the sun, I've always felt that the 'Flat Earth' theory was a bit preposterous, especially for those sailors who were most superstitious. Couldn't they see the curvature of the earth from the top of their masts? Why would the sails of a ship show up first if the earth was flat? Nonetheless, the imagery of an ocean of water cascading over the greatest waterfall in the world is quite powerful. This flame is my take on that. It's not blue because...well, I get tired of doing things in blue. Maybe it's lit from below by an otherwordly incandescence. Maybe it's sunset. Or perhaps, that close to the precipice, light becomes twisted and strange. Take your pick.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Streams of Consciousness

When I named this flame I was thinking "Hmm. It's kind of stereotypically brain-colored. And it's got elements that can be loosely described as 'streams'...Aha! Brilliant!" except that I didn't really think it was brilliant. I wasn't terribly happy with the piece overall, and I just wanted to hurry up and render it so I could stop working. I do like the textures quite a bit, though. I think my main problem with this piece is the colors, although it's not any great shakes compositionally. If the colors were a little less jumbled up I think it would be a big improvement.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Path

I imagine this piece as a trail through a rocky canyon, walls arching up overhead both sides, sunlight shining patchily on the walls. Sure, it takes a little effort, but the really fun interpretations usually do.

This flame has some very confusing fractal elements to it. I'm fairly certain that the segments at the bottom are repeats of the segment at the top, but both parts contain repeats of themselves aas well. The easiest identifying mark on the repeats is that row of four dots that shows up at the tip of the top segment spines. You can follow that all the way down the bottom chain until the resolution blurs out in the large images.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Luminous Eyespot

With all the spine-like protrusions and swishy bits, this flame looked to me like a deep sea fish. Bioluminescent, only half seen, swirling away from your tiny and cramped submersible...

I freely admit to using strange colors for this flame, but I really like that phosphorescent blue-green in contrast to the muddy olive shade and the purple. On its own it would be obnoxious and glaring, but when it's set against duller colors it works quite well.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Snail Shells

This was a rather interesting flame to work with post render. Because it's so dense, the background color doesn't show through very well. Instead, it alters the colors in the foreground (I think the .png format I render in allows for partially transparent pixels). This version is on black, but I did a version on a brown background that was quite distinctive. The entire piece looked lighter and had a different color to it.

'Snail Shells' is a variation on the 'many repeats' technique. Each 'shell' you see around the rim of the main shell is a fractal repeat. Another cool thing about this piece is the thin lines; those are fractal repeats like any other, but they've been distorted and stretched so much that all you see is the line.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Rhinoceros Shellfish

Another piece with a 'shell' name. In this case I find it entirely appropriate, though. The swriling patterns really looked like something I'd see on a shell. The little pointy bit over on the top left inspired the 'Rhinoceros" bit. It's rather amusing to picture a seashell stampeding and trying to gore people with its horn.

While I can't say for certain what color palette I used on this piece, the style of color palette is one I use frequently. Shades of grey, and one or two brighter colors mixed in. The nice thing about this style of color palette is the ease with which I can change the color. Because most of the palette is grey, I can just shift the hue and not worry about creating color combinations that really clash. So if I wanted to, this piece could be purple, or blue, or green...

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Landing Signals

It's an unfortunate truth that I am occasionally stricken by fits of whimsy when I'm working on a flame. In this case, it was during the coloring phase of the process. Hopefully nobody's violently allergic to neon purple. I'm almost tempted to call that a neon brown as well, but I think that's just the blur effect messing with my perceptions.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Trajectory

I've moved away from this style of flame, but I used to work with them quite often. I think these pieces based on the 'spiral' variation have a lot of good points, but I prefer the denser, smoother textures that I can produce with other variations. Still, I do like this flame. It feels very swooshy. And I can't quite tell for certain, but I'm pretty sure that's gradient #209. Not one of my better uses of it, really. This piece would be improved by an absence of beige.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Abstract 7-18-08

A lot of the flames that I label with 'Abstract' are pieces that aren't good enough to have inspired a title by the time I finish with them, but at the same time are too interesting for me to simply discard. Often they're pieces that I've spent a considerable amount of time on, as well. This is one of those pieces. I couldn't think of a name for it, but I was tired of working on it. And I didn't want to throw it away. So...'Abstract.' Looking at it today, I'd probably name it something moderately descriptive, like 'Hooked Fan.' But I'm morally opposed to changing the name of a piece, so it remains and 'Abstract.'

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Blocks and Nebula

Do the same sorts of accidental geometric patterns that show up in Earth's clouds appear in nebular dust clouds floating in space? It's amusing to think that they do, but I suspect the answer is no. Those fascinating patterns in our atmosphere are usually the result of winds, and the only winds in space are solar. They might push out a bubble of clear space around a star, but they wouldn't leave ripples and wakes.

Now that I think about it, this piece is really done in the same style as 'Orthogonal Cloudscape.' I believe this is a case of accidental style-convergence. 'Blocks and Nebula' came first, and I don't recall referencing back to it when I was making 'Cloudscape'. Of course, accidental duplication is easy to achieve with the 'popcorn' variation, which some of you may remember is what makes those offset square patterns. This piece uses the popcorn variation a little less heavily, so it has a slightly softer look to it.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Silicon Autotroph

If I didn't like using fancy science-type words so much this flame would probably be titled something like 'Glass Fern' or 'Stone Bush.' But I do, so it's titled 'Silicon Autotroph.' A slightly more generic term, to be sure, but also a less limiting one. Make of it what you will.

This piece is fairly straightforward, technically. It's got quite a few repeats involved, but most of them are the standard 'linear' type. They don't have any distortion except stretching and skewing. That's probably why this flame calls to mind a plant of some sort. It's closer to a 'pure' fractal, and plants are very fractal things.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Transdimensional Shellfish

I seem to end up with a lot of shell-themed titles. This is probably because shellfish grow in fractal shapes. Some species even have Sierpinski triangle patterns on their shells (imperfect ones, but the basic structure is there). When I finished working on this flame, that spiral pattern looked like something I'd find on a seashell. But the overall shape seemed unnaturally gnarled and twisted, like something that doesn't quite fit in three dimensions.

One of the really interesting things about this piece is the way the central spiral pattern is repeated in the arms. The distortions involved make it difficult to pin down where exactly the repeats are, but they're definitely there. You may notice other flames that have a similar color scheme to this one; the palette that it uses is one I draw on fairly frequently.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Bumblebee, from above

I'm sure there are some of you out there who will look at this flame and say "But that doesn't look like a bumblebee at all!" My response to you: Phhhhlbbbbt. Almost never are these titles hard and fast rules about what a flame 'is'. Obviously there are exceptions, but very rarely do I have a fixed object or thing or theme that a flame must be interpreted as. The title of a piece is a suggestion to try and make the piece more interesting.

think the best example of what I mean by this is the piece 'Magnetic Flares' from the store. It started life with the lowly designation 'Apophysis-041219-100', which is about as unpoetic as a name can get. It simply means that it was the hundredth random flame done on December 19, 2004. I ask you, which title makes you more likely to really think about the flame? Even the pieces that I title 'Abstract' get a better reception than that designation. The word invites you to think about the piece and decide what it is for yourself.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

It should be fairly apparent which title goes with which piece here. This pair of flames was created as a pair, and in fact they only differ by one repeat and a slight adjustment in canvas placement. It's often startling to me how very slight alterations can cause such fundamental changes to a flame. That's part of why I enjoy this medium so much.

Phoenix Molt

I've often considered that I stick the word 'Phoenix' into too many titles, especially considering that the original mythology claims there was only one in existence at a time. But I don't really regret the slight overuse; the idea of taking a peacock or other ornamental fowl and then lighting it on fire is just too wonderful.

Mythical incendiary avian origins aside, this flame has some rather interesting things going on. That hard yellow edge is a fairly standard fractal boundary, but then it has those long wispy tails swooping off of it. I quite liked the effect. Someday I might see if I could do something different with the colors, but for now I like the impression they create of the flame slowly burning away.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Flocking Wisps

This flame reminds me a little of a ball bait fish, if bait fish were amorphous and semi-transparent. Presumably their predator is equally amorphous. It's possible that the little wisps are more like some sort of pirahna, but I like the idea of them swirling around in a desperate effort not to be eaten better.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Alien Shrubbery

No, there's no Monty Python joke intended here, which I'm sure some of you will take as a great loss. Tough beans. I rather like the idea of decorative gardens on an alien planet, though. It's one that's used a lot in most soft sci-fi set in space, but that's because it's a cool idea. The sheer variety of plant species and breeds on Earth is staggering. Once you start multiplying that by two or ten or a hundred, and start adding in things like carnivorous carnations and ambulatory azaleas...Like I said, I like the concept.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Dragon Egg

It takes a touch of imagination to imagine an egg shape in this flame, but I think the texture and color fit the title quite nicely. Besides, who says dragons have to have round eggs? I think misshapen, leathery, scale-covered sacks would be just the thing for a pyromaniac infant.

What's really interesting about this flame to me (besides the pretty-to-look-at part) is that it doesn'tuse any distorted repeats. It's all just flat, and all of the shapes you see are produced by rotated repeats, and maybe a little bit of stretching here and there. It makes for some interesting textures, and quite a bit of blurriness where the detail goes too fine for the computer to render it.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Resonators (recolor)

Sound effects are not optional for this flame. I encourage you to make a noise such as "Vwoooooooorn" or "Bzzzzzzz" or possibly even "WOMwomWOMwomWOMwomWOMwom" as you view this piece. If you imagine all the blurry spike things vibrating back and forth as you do that it will help.

This is the second version of this flame, and unusually enough I didn't do it right after the first version. I liked the original well enough to feel like I needed to go back and tweak it a bit. The first version was more brown and less orange, and it was just too dull. I'm still not entirely happy with the color scheme. It's rather monotone. But it is an improvement.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Temple Throne

This piece is the sort of thing that turns up when I play with symmetry. I don't do it very often, mostly because it takes longer and it's harder to produce a good result. But I think this one turned out quite nicely. I encourage you to take a look at the larger versions of this piece, and look for faces. There are at least a couple spots in this piece that I think look like faces or people. I'll let you find them for yourselves, though.

Temple Throne (inset)

A closeup of what I like to think of as the statues and engravings above the throne. I like the main piece better, but I wanted a closer look at the details, and this was the easiest way to do that.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

Temple Throne:

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Temple Throne (inset):

Ice Cave

I like to imagine that this flame is a cave with fog and mist roiling out of the opening. Perhaps there are hunched over people trudging inside, hoping to escape a blizzard or storm. Or maybe it's a giant albino frog that's tricking them into walking straight down its throat. (I'm so sorry about that last one, but I've been looking at this thing for ten minutes and that circle in the upper left just looks like a dang eyeball!)

This flame is the sibling to 'Moondial', which I posted waaay back in July of '09. While they were posted six months apart, these two flames were done in the same session. I think 'Ice Cave' is the superior of the two. It doesn't have quite the same incomprehensible geometry, but the shape is more appealing. It makes slightly better use of its color palette as well. 'Moondial' wins for composition, though. I don't think that this piece quite fits on a 4:5 canvas. The widescreen canvas is a better size, but it's still not quite right.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Bog Lights

It's just swamp gas. Really. Nothing to see here folks, move along...

The shapes in this flame make it one of those "Must...post...now..." pieces, which I then put off because I don't want to use up all the good ones first. I'm also quite enamored of the little threads of purple in the foreground area (Do these things even have foregrounds? This one seems to, but I don't really know). They really make the color scheme work; if it was just that flat teal color all over it would be pretty ugly.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Fossil Insect

This is another sketch piece, so I don't really have a whole lot to say about it. It's got some fun textures and shapes. I really like the hard lines that cut through the more solid part of the image, and I really like the way it seems to have multiple partially opaque layers to it (which it does, but usually when that happens it just looks like some parts of the flame are colored a little differently than the rest).

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Downdrafts

The combination of orange and grey in this flame really appeals to me. It's one of those color sets that seems to turn out really well on computer monitors. It's not too glaring, but it still has some actual color to it. That seems to be really difficult to do with some other shades, especially greens and purples.

The bedrock of this piece is that hollow oval shape. Everything else you see is a repeat of that, or interaction between those repeats. It's really quite a simple flame, but it doesn't appear that way because the basic shape is more complex.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Pages of the Sky

I'm not really sure what to say about this piece. It's a cool image, but it's always seemed just a little off. I'm not sure if the texture is too dense, or if the contrast between the heavily textured area and the edges is too too extreme, or if the shape is wrong, or if the color is wrong...there are a lot of things that I could probably improve, but I think I would rather spend my time on new flames, or improving flames that have a better base to them in the first place. Still, this piece is interesting to look at, at least for a little while. Hopefully it will be entertaining to some of you.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Architecture

This flame may seem fairly abstract at first, but if you look at it and think about the title for a bit, it may go 'click' in your mind. If it doesn't: Imagine you're pointing a light up at the ceiling of a cathedral or some other ornate building, with a domed roof and perhpas some pillars. That's how I like to picture this flame. Being able to interpret it like that makes this one of my favorite pieces, even though from a purely visual viewpoint (heh, visual viewpoint) it's not really that spectacular. Flames that really look like something get bumped up several notches on the list automatically.

I'm pretty sure this piece uses the same gradient as 'Purple Fountains' did. You can pick out each of the shades involved in that flame in this one; they're just not grouped together in quite the same way. The really scattered, un-coordinated color scheme that some flames have is caused by how the color palette was applied, not the palette itself. It's really hard to explain, and I don't understand the mechanism very well myself (not well enough to make it do what I want every time, certainly).

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Negative Space

This flame looks to me like it might have some sort of oddly shaped event horizon in the middle there, or possibly an infestation of pixelivorous virii. If you look at it the other way, the black space is being covered by an oddly delineated mist spewing from that slightly brighter section. Much longer and there wouldn't be any left...

'Negative Space' uses a final transform, the same way pieces like the marbles I did over Christmas do. But in this case, instead of mapping the flame onto a sphere, it kind of stretched and pulled the edges of the flame around that area of black space. It's a little hard to describe exactly how it works. This piece uses the popcorn variation, which is what makes those little lines and jinks (They're most visible around the periphery of the black space). That's not one I use very often of late, although some of my best works have utilized it.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Detonation or Flower

This is a fairly basic 'many repeats' flame. But both flowers and explosions are pretty, (even if one is preferably viewed from a distance, or both, if you're allergic) so there you have it. I really recommend looking at one of the larger versions of this flame, as the fine detail is really interesting. Looking at this today I'm noticing that little bit of blue up near the top for the first time. Not sure how that got there, but it's kind of fun.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Snowy branches in shadow

This is one of those rare pieces where if someone were to say to me "Oh, it looks like such and such a thing!" I would say, "That's nice. But it's actually what the title says. It just is, okay?" And then I'd glare at them if they continued to insist. For some reason this piece got set in my mind as representing a specific object (or perhaps the ideal of a specific object). So that's what it is for me, and since I made it I can feel free to tell people how to interpret it. Hopefully it looks enough like the title that I won't need to.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Sails on the Dawn

The idea behind this flame's name was that these were the sails of ships just barely crossing the terminator from day to night, so that the sun only hit the sails. It veers a little more towards the 'artistic nonsense' side of things than I generally prefer to go, but I think the shape, composition, and color palette hold it together well enough for a nonsensical title to be insignificant.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Pyrosquid, Pyrosquid (inset, rotated)

This is not a restful flame, any way you look at it. Unless of course you like stygian horrors in fun fruit colors. Or alien horrors, in fun fruit colors. Or possibly scientifically mutated horrors (in fun fruit colors!). Restful or not, it's one of my favorite pieces which I place in the 'whimsical' category. The inset version might fall outside of the whimsical category into the 'kind of creepy' category, but that bulging cephalopod cerebrum was ready for its close-up. And the textures there are just plain cool.

On the technical side of things, this was a moderately complicated flame. At the same time, though, it's readily divided into sections, which made it easy to work with. I can look at this flame and account for each piece that went into it, which is a very rare thing to be able to do (This is after looking at the parameters, by the way. I'm not doing this from memory).

Spiny Pattern

I really like the fractal elements of this flame. It starts at the right with the undistorted, base shape, and as we go further left that shape shrinks, stretches, and twists. It doesn't look like much of anything, except maybe a fin or a wing of some sort. I think it's most interesting if viewed as just a shape, though.

'Spiny Pattern' is very nearly as simple as a flame can be. It only has two elements in it. It's always fun to find a flame that can be done with so few pieces, but it's also difficult to get it to look exactly the way I want. Small changes have big effects with flames like this. I'm reasonably satisfied with this flame, although the spiky bits do make it hard to fit comfortably on a canvas. It's always trying to poke it's way out through the sides.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Haunted Ocean

Between the slightly creepy color scheme and the thin protrusions that could be mistaken for masts or spars, I feel pretty good about the name for this piece. Haunted oceans have to have ghost ships, right? The stormy, heavy seas sort of look helps, I think.

I couldn't tell you how this flame is put together precisely right now, as I'm in the middle of a batch render. I'd rather not joggle its elbow by digging around for flame parameters. But just from looking at this I can tell you what a couple elements of this flame are. See where there are those very defined curved lines coming out of the orange part? The way those scale and twist indicates a plain repeat with down-scaling and some rotation on it. You can see this along the top edge of the flame as well, same thing (probably the same repeat, actually). There's also a foreshortened repeat of those lines coming off at a ninety degree angle to the first, but it's a little hard to see. The rest of the piece is probably foundation material, but it's hard to make distinctions as to which bit counts as what with these. Every piece influences every other piece, so it's mostly a matter of what came first when I was building the flame. It doesn't really matter overall.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Purple Quartzite

I feel terrible about this title. Just terrible. Quartzite is an actual rock, and it is nothing like the flame at right. Metamorphic sandstone, feh. If you're of the geologic persuasion, just imagine I named it Purple Generic Crystalline Structures instead.

The repeats on this flame are a little different than usual. Most of the time if I'm adding multiple repeats I'll add them one at a time in different spots. In this piece I added sets of two repeats at the same vertices, but with different rotations. I think that's what created the dense branching structures, as well as the two lobed purple shapes. I might have to play around with that technique again sometime soon, as I appear to have forgotten all about it in the two years since I made this flame.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Tunnel of Bubbles

This flame is best viewed with someone standing behind you blowing bubbles through a straw in a glass of liquid, preferably chocolate milk. If you don't have a friend around to do this for you, I recommend doing it yourself. Just be careful that you don't spill any bubbles because you weren't watching how high they'd gone.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Explosive Chrysanthemum

Whose idea was it to make 'chrysanthemum' so hard to spell? I had to look up the spelling when I named this flame. It doesn't look particularly like a chrysanthemum anyway, but I couldn't think of a kind of flower with lots of spiky petals. Perhaps the petals are spiky because the Explosive Chrysanthemum is a rare variety. (Bred by the same people who brought you the Detonating Daisy, Blast Buttercup, and Incendiary Iris! Buy yours today!)

Since I'm starting to make up fake infomercial segments I'd better cut this short. I'm not entirely satisfied with the composition of this piece. I suspect it needs either a square frame or a skinny rectangular frame with lots of dead space. This flame shares a color palette with 'Prismatic Splash,' among others. I tend to slap this gradient onto flames a lot to see if it will work. It usually doesn't.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Illusionometer

Just a reminder, two posts today. Scroll down for the first.

The negative space in this flame is almost more interesting than the flame itself. The set of alternating curves that's part of the main repeat really catches the eye. I also really like the way it goes fractal in two directions at once. There's that ladder structure out on an arm, right? That's obviously fractal repeats, with a little bit of foreshortening distortion on it. But that whole arm structure repeats back up into the piece and off canvas.

Speaking of off canvas...Normally I like to get the entirety of a flame in frame, but the interesting details of this piece (like that ladder-arm thing) never got to a big enough scale to show up well with the rest of the flame in view. I do have a version of this with everything in frame. It looks a little like either a demented swan or a boat with a really strange figurehead.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Plasma Bolt

I don't have very much to say about this flame. It rather speaks for itself. Granted, it talks in comic-book sound effects, like "THOOM" and "FWOOSH" and possibly "ZZZAP!" I think that's all it really needs to say.

I really had a hard time waiting until now to post this flame, because it's one of my very favorites. Just about every time I've looked at my folder of flames that I have rendered to post here I've thought "Ooh, I should post this one! It's really cool!" and then I've made myself put it off because that kind of thinking results in all of the fun flames getting posted in the first two weeks of a render cycle, followed by a couple weeks of less interesting stuff. But since I've only got a week and a half worth of flames left before I need to do a new batch, and there are at least two other good ones that I haven't posted yet...here you go.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Alien Peacock

This beastie is a peacock only in the sense that it has markings that look like eyespots. I doubt it can fly, and those probably aren't even feathers. And are those fangs? Claws?

The fractal nature of this piece shows up really well because of the color scheme. The contrast between the two sections of the main flame makes it really easy to see where each individual repeat is, and just how far down in scale the repeats go. Forever, mathematically, but only as far down as the pixels hold out for digital images.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Hypnosis

Go buy something...go buy something...the swirly thing commands you...

This flame is a surprisingly complex result from a fairly simple set of parameters. There's one 'body' element in it, and three basic repeat elements twisted to form the spiral shape. I have to say that this one didn't remain as my desktop background for very long. I prefer something just a little more restful. Still, this would be a lot of fun as a piece of wall art. I really hope I get the chance to print it some day.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Painted Ornament

This marble started out as a normal flame, but I didn't like the shape of the edges. The texture was really cool, though, so I marbleized it to keep the texture and get rid of the shape. I think it worked pretty well.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Marble 1 (Swirly)

I designed this flame specifically to be marbled. It would be rather bland on its own, just a striped spiral. It's still just a striped spiral, but it's got a little more character. I do wish I could have managed to position the center of the spiral a little better.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Snow Globe 1

Hexagonal symmetry, icy colors...yeah, it's supposed to be a snowflake in a bubble. It was snowing outside when I did this. I don't have more than one 'Snow Globe' yet, but obviously intend to.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Marble 2 (Firmament)

Another made-for-marbleization flame. I think this is the prettiest one I've done so far. I'm still not quite happy with it, and there are things I would change (the swirly bits are too geometric, for starters), but it's a nice piece.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Flame and Smoke (marble)

This piece got rendered flat first, and I actually like it better that way. But I figured it would make a fun marble as well, being the right shape generally. Marble-making seems to work best with flames that are already pretty much circular in shape.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Tentatively Tenebrous Tendrils

Tenebrous: An adjective meaning dark and gloomy. So...I guess the tendrils are only a little bit sinister. They're not really sure if they should be looming, threatening, and being generally creepy. Give them a little time. I'm sure they'll be properly gloomy in a few days.

I really like the basic structure of this piece. It only has two real 'shaping' elements in it; they form that blueish section with the pink tinge that runs along the long axis of the flame. Everything else is just fractal repetion of those, and some color changing. I will admit to overusing my vocabulary in the title. But a chance to use alliteration, at least one type of rhyming (I don't have the formal education to tell you which one. Assonance or consonance, maybe both.), and an obscure word at the same time, and have it fit the piece? Too good an opportunity to pass up.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Speed Lines

I'm not exactly sure what left these speed lines behind in its wake, but I suspect it may have been some manner of futuristic car. The glowing blue patches are probably skid-marks, or possibly patches of pavement heated to searing intensity.

This flame was really just a 'sketch' piece. It's a mutation and recolor of a flame I spent a considerable amount of time on ('Troubled Waters', although I don't know when it will find its way up here). I have quite a few pieces like this kicking around. When I finish editing a flame I usually render it right away at desktop resolution, which takes about 10-15 minutes on average. I don't like to go do other stuff while that's going on, because I'm impatient to see how it turns out. So I'll spend the time fiddling with the flame some more; mutating it, messing with the colors, fine tuning this and that. Sometimes this leads to a superior version of the original flame. But more often it leads to a second flame that shares elements with the first, but is its own entity.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Fog Serpent

I really like the glow effect on this flame. If my memory is correct, this is the only flam I've done with precisely that 'look' to it. It's really just that the orphaned pixels in this flame happened to be very lightly colored, and elements of the main flame were very dark. The unfortunate thing about this is that the effect sort of peters out as you get over to the left side of the image, and leaves a grainy looking mess. I suppose I could correct that with a gradient background (black to a dark grey, from right to left), but those tend to dilute the visual impact of a piece more than I care for. Still, that silhouetted effect on the upper right edge of the flame is pretty cool.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Space-Goo

While I'm fairly confident in the gooeyness of this piece, I'm not precisely certain why it's gooey in space (Hehe!). It doesn't really seem to have a specific up or down to it, or fixed points of attachment or support...so I suppose that could be one reason. It's just as easy to apply that reasoning to an object with neutral buoyancy underwater, though.

This flame has a few relatives. The image you see is pretty much my second draft; I did a version of this flame that lacked some of the repeats present here, and then came back and added them in and fiddled with the colors. I fiddled with the colors again later on, and depending on how fast I run out of flames to show you folks you might get to see that version too.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Rainbow Sherbet

I may or may not have been craving ice cream when I made this fractal. I confess to being slightly baffled by this flame; I didn't think rainbow sherbet came in a soft-serve variety.

Something has been bothering me as I've been writing all these entries. There's no specific verb for making a fractal flame. If it was a pencil sketch, I could say that I drew it. If it was a blob of clay, I could say I sculpted it. But to my knowledge there's no word for the action of creating a fractal flame. I suppose I could coin one, but it would probably turn out to be ridiculous. What word would you use?

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Nightmare Carnival

Are those ambulatory carnivorous ferris wheels? Why yes, I think they are! This might be because of a disaffected carny who's been taking mad science correspondence courses, but I myself blame the funnel cake radiation.

The fractal flame medium seems to be good at making eyes and mouths, but I suspect this is really just a trick of the human brain. Eyes and mouths are generally the more important bits of what people look at. Things that look just a little bit like an eye get the benefit of the doubt.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Sea Sprites

No, I'm not referring to the soda. Or to pixelated animations. The word 'sprite' in the title is "a broad term referring to a number of preternatural legendary creatures" (thank you wikipedia).

This flame is somewhat more fractal than most of my works, but you may have to look a little closer to see it. There's a sort of 'S' shape that seems to be the main repeated element. It gets twisted out of a shape a lot, though, so it might be hard to pick out. I think that shape is what makes it look like there are grotesque little faces* in the flame.

*Grotesque faces not guaranteed. Your mileage may vary. Do not look at this flame while operating heavy machinery, because that would be a really stupid thing to do.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Boxing

Boxing, get it? Because it's a box! Bwahahaha! Haha. Okay, so it's a terrible pun. But all this flame needs is some text saying 'Bam!' or 'Biff!' in the middle and a trumpet squeal, and it would fit right in on the old Batman television show. I have to say that in my totally unbiased opinion (*snrk*) this one is really cool in the larger sizes. It has some killer speed lines that don't show up in the preview image.

Partial credit for this one goes to my brother Chad, who was kibitzing over my shoulder while I was making it. I blame him for the pun in the title. Not in any direct way...it's just that I'm more prone to puns when he's around.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Wallpaper Motif

It's not any wallpaper I'd ever want to buy, but to each their own. This piece is really just fractal repeats of cutesy flowers. Still, it's surprisingly relaxing to look at. Even though parts of it are trying to imitate double vision.

This is a very artificial flame; no mutations or random elements are present. The basic shape is four circles arranged like petals. Most of the rest of what you see is just undistorted repeats (or repeats that are simply stretched in one direction). Every now and then I like to experiment with this kind of thing, but most of my best flames have some random element to them that I didn't choose.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Erinyes

Whoo, gratuitous mythology references! I can't say that this flame looks particuraly like an avenging spirit bent on punishing oathbreakers, but I'm not sure what does. I do like the impression of hands or claws speeding down on something, and I suppose that's what inspired the title.

The ray effect in this piece (the long thin lines going off to the top left and top of the canvas) isn't one I use very often. Typically if I'm looking to create an illusion of motion I'll use a fractal repeat that diminishes in size with each iteration, producing a trail that tapers as it moves away from the main body of the flame. I've done the opposite here, with the repeats getting larger as they move away from the main piece.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Crystalline Beast

This isn't your ordinary looks-like-an-animal-only shiny crystalline beast. This is the kind that blends perfectly with rock faces and shambles out at you unexpectedly, screeching and vibrating hideously.

Okay, so the previous paragraph may be evidence of an overactive imagination. But something about this flame begs to be...de-abstracted. How you go about it and what you de-abstract (Sorry, english language! You know I don't really mean it.) it are up to you. I merely offer a suggestion.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Mystic Diadem

This flame breaks the mold a bit. I make symmetric flames only very infrequently nowadays, although I did do quite a few of them early on. I like the B-movie prop effect this piece has going for it. It looks like it could be an object, but only if it were an incredibly chintzy and cheap looking object. Clear plastic, maybe some glitter to bring out the pointy bits. And all sitting on the head of an actress who's doing her best to keep a straight face while reading terrible dialogue.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Supervibration

The blurring and lines in this piece have convinced me that it is some manner of strange plant, vibrating to attract pollinators or deter predators.

This piece makes use of pastel colors. Usually when I do this it's to avoid too jarring an image. Some of the more intense shapes and textures aren't enjoyable to look at when they've got a vibrant color palette. Of course, it's also possible that I just like pastels.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Broken Watch

This piece said 'Sproing!' to me. One of those cartoon-sound-effect sproing noises, too. Anway, I was thinking of un-winding watch springs and little gears flinging themselves out of position when I named this flame.

'Broken Watch' has a rather interesting pattern in it that can't really be seen in the preview version. But if you look at one of the big ones, you'll see that the circular striations have repeats of themselves at the cardinal points. I'm not certain if that's a true fractal effect, or if it's an artifact of rendering lots and lots of circular lines like that. If you've ever messed around with the circle tool in paint you'll know that it's awfully hard to represent a circle with squares. These phantom-repeats show up in most of the flames using that same circular-striations technique.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Mud Vortex

I think the textures in this piece are just cool. It rather reminds me of a crocheted (that's crow-shayed, not crotch-it-id, people) doily, although I don't think I've ever seen one done with quite this color scheme. The lack of symmetry inhibits the effect somewhat, but maybe they just haven't finished all of their repeats yet.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

People in the Mist

This is a rather interesting pair of flames. They're really the same flame, rotated to different angles. The canvas is mirrored on the second one, as well. Anyway, these came about from a desire to make a flame that actually looked like a specific object: A dam. My first attempt was rather lackluster, and is not something I'll be sharing. But I wasn't ready to quit yet, so I fiddled with it some more, and came up with the image at right. It's less of a dam and more of a waterfall, but I still like it. It may be a bit tough to figure out the reasoning behind the title on this one, so I'll give you a hint: Imagine the white speckles in the really crashy part of the image are faces, or lanterns, or something like that.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Downstream

While I was working on 'People in the Mist' I was having a terribly tough time figuring out how it should be oriented on the canvas. Something about the shape of the piece was just awkward. If I zoomed out far enough that no elements were cut off, it looked lonely and incomplete, with funny edges sticking out all over the place. If I moved it so the funny edges were cut off, I was also cutting off bits I wanted visible. And the big long lines that faded away to black really wanted to be parallel to a canvas edge. I couldn't find a 'perfect' orientation for the flame, so I went with two not-so-perfect renders instead. I'm rather pleased by the way they turned out.

By the way: Yes, I do think this one looks like a dam.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Surfing

I'm not too certain about the title on this one. Maybe it's an indoor wave simulator, and it's being lit with brightly colored spotlights for some sort of crazy party? Literal interpretations aside, the shape of this flame conveyed such a feeling of fluid motion to me that 'Surfing' was the only name that seemed to fit.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Multi-Socket Interface Port

I was going to post this one yesterday, because I hadn't done anything greenish or reddish in a while. But then I realized that it would look absolutely terrible with the picture on the right and the text on the left. So instead of doing the reasonable thing and using the image-on-the-left entry template a day early, I decided to wait a day. I like routines, I guess.

I like the appearance of depth and dimensionality in this flame. The negative space in the center really enhances the feeling that it's an object, not a texture. The clean lines and lack of stray elements keep the eye focused on trying to interpret the shape, which is really hard to do with all the fractal repeats trying to bounce your gaze all over the place. The notches around the negative space also try to steal attention. The color around them is a hair more vibrant than it is elsewhere in the piece.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Nightmoth

This piece makes more sense if you interpret it as having lots and lots of motion blur, and maybe some speed lines. The titular 'Nightmoth' is the part at far left that's slightly lighter in color. Presumably it's dodging a bat or something.

'Nightmoth' is one of my earlier experiments with the 'many repeats' technique. I'm fairly certain it's the second flame that uses it, but to be absolutely sure I'd have to dig through the parameters of all of the earlier flames. It might actually be a sibling or descendant of 'Fairy in a Bubble.' I did the two of them on the same day, about half an hour apart. Huzzah for date-stamps on files! I suspect this flame is a mutation of 'Fairy', but it's possible I just did two from scratch using the same method.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Pebble Mosaic

Hey look! Gradient 209!

This flame is far more regular in shape and appearance than most of my works. If my memory is correct (by no means a certainty) this piece was made during the period where I was first experimenting with using the linear variation to create spiral shapes. Obviously this is something of a 'proof of concept' for the technique. 'Filigree' came out of the same period, about two weeks later.

The one thing I've never been happy about with this piece is the pattern of bright dots that show up on the lower right. I really wish I could have gotten rid of them while keeping the texture the same, but it's those dots that make the speckled repeats throughout the flame.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Coelocanth

It's rather abstract, (which is as it should be) but if you squint your eyes and contort your brain just right, there's a fish in this flame. It is perhaps not the most accurate reproduction of a Coelocanth ever, but I'd be interested to see a fractal flame representation that beats it. This piece makes use of a spherical/waves repeat, which is what produces those partially opaque curving triangles. You can find several other flames that use the same technique on this blog, the most recent being 'Thumbprint,' from a couple weeks ago.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Feather Fan

I think this piece comes closer to the texture and shape of something real than anything else I've ever done. The fact that it looks good is really just an added bonus. The colors may need a little tweaking if I ever get it printed; that green is just a little hard to see.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Cratering

A fairly simple flame, with lots of obvious fractal elements. I actually worked on this flame with the general effect and title in mind, which is not how I usually do things. I'd say it's a fairly good impression of impact scars (although I kind of have to say that, since I'm the one that made it). The purple color may have been an unfortunate choice; I think a mix of gray tones with blue, purple, and brown hints would have been better.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Three for the price of one...

...except not really. You are getting three flames today, but I won't be posting any for Friday or Saturday. There are a couple reasons for this. First off, these three flames are a set, three related flames that make a good illustration of the 'artistic process' (quotation marks indicate self-mockery at pretentiousness) I go through. Secondly, I have family in town for Thanksgiving. So it's vacation time.

Bottom Dweller

The first of the set, 'Bottom Dweller' isn't really that great. The colors are interesting and mesh well with the title, but it's a little bit messy. I tend to dislike it when there are faint repeats that don't render fully; they leave orphaned pixels all over the place, like stray toner on Xerox copies. But I really liked the basic form of the piece, so I went ahead and fiddled with it a little more to see what else I could get out of it.

Bottom Dweller 2 (inset)

This piece is quite obviously related to 'Bottom Dweller' even without the title. Same color scheme, same feathery textures. However, this flame builds upon the complexity of the original. The orientation of the two pieces is identical; if you look at the black space at the bottom left of the piece at right, you can see that it is identical to the black space at the base of the bulb in 'Bottom Dweller.' This should give you some idea of how far the second piece was inset.

Still, I wasn't quite happy with the piece. So, on to the third flame, and one of my all time favorites.

Tide Pool

I actually removed some of the elements present in 'Bottom Dweller 2' to make this piece. Specifically the ones making the long, straight lines that overlapped the rest of the piece. This led to a much cleaner appearance, more in line with what I was going for from the start. I also rotated the flame about 120 degrees counter-clockwise. This was mostly because I wanted it to look like seaweed and shellfish on a rock, and that angle seemed to work best.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

Maintenance Port

I no longer remember if the effect was intentional (this flame is from March of last year), but I love the way the components of this work 'stack' to create an illusion of depth. As the title implies, it looked to me like a panel or cover had been removed from a piece of machinery to get at the plugs and wiring inside. The second iteration of repeats in the center there look sort of like S-video sockets, now that I think about it.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Sponge 1

The phrase 'fractal to a fault' comes to mind regarding this flame. I don't know if it really is or not, but it gets close. I very much dislike making flames that are too predictable, too geometric. This piece has sharper angles than I like, although the slightly distorted repeats and color variation hide it in the body of the piece. It's easy to see around the edges, though.

There is a 'Sponge 2,' but you won't get to see it for at least another month, if then. I'm in the process of getting the next batch of renders to go up on this page ready, and it isn't on the list.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Waves2

I consider the bottom half or so of this flame to be rather boring. Interesting textures, perhaps. I think the fun part of this piece is the swoopy part with the white and blue highlights. It makes this flame cry out for sound effects and cheesy onomatopoeia. "Ksshhhh! Sploosh! Crash!" I always find myself mentally inserting surf noises when I'm looking at this piece.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Rainbow Skeins

The shape of this flame is a little bland, but the colors and textures are very high up on my list of favorite works. It hits all of the major rainbow hues, but at varying saturation and brightness levels. The gradation of color really helps to draw the eye along the image, instead of leaving it stuck on the more easily noticeable parts.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Tectonics

Not a very good title on this one. It looks a little bit fissured and cracked, but I'm not seeing any subduction zones in it looking at it now. Maybe there's a mid-ocean ridge in there somewhere?

I do like the fractal 'edge' you can see running throughout this flame. If you're familiar with Brownian Motion (and if you're not, click the link. Although the article about Random Walk has better pictures.) you may see some of the similarities. Brownian motion and random walking are often used to generate realistic looking coastlines and terrain. The general outline of this flame would make a pretty nifty island, wouldn't it?

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Dragon Eyes

Between the color scheme and the slit-pupil effect, this flame has a bit of an 'Eye of Sauron' vibe. Maybe if he had a bunch of annoying relatives who were always hanging out at Barad-dûr. I imagine it would get crowded up at the top of the tower.

Be warned that the larger versions are significantly creepier. Or at least, they seem that way at two in the morning with a migraine. But, you can also see a little of how this flame was constructed. This is another of those 'many repeats' flames I like to point out. They tend to be fairly interesting pieces. I'm not sure if that's because they're just better, or if I only render the really good ones done using this technique. They do seem to turn out a little more pass/fail than other methods do...

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Underwater Explosion

There's a funny story behind it, but I don't actually like this piece anymore. You know how windows PCs will sometimes flash to a different desktop image as their logging on or logging off? Well, somehow, this flame got stuck as the one it flashed to. So I got to see it every day, for months. Not for very long, but it was [i]annoying[/i]. So even though this is a pretty cool piece in terms of color and shape, and it's got that nifty 'fake lighting' effect going on, I don't like it anymore. Call it negative association, I guess.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Cloud Arches

I don't really have anything to say about this one; it's an intact work without commentary. I hope you like it.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Thumbprint

Perhaps it's a little feathery looking for a thumbprint, but 'featherprint' just sounded wrong. The colors here are rather muted, but I think bright colors with blurry looking flames like this one (not all blurry flames, just this particular style) are a little jarring. The fact that these are some of my favorite shades has nothing whatsoever to do with my choice, of course. What would make you think that?

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Hot Spring Scum

If you've ever been to Yellowstone you'll know what I'm referencing here. I've never been there myself, I simply watch too much documentary television. Do a google image search of 'Yellowstone hot spring' and you'll see what I mean. It's cool stuff.

This flame has some very interesting fractal patterning going on. It happens to have been highlighted by the green color, which makes it one of the more noticeable features. But there is also a very pretty repeating pattern that starts in the middle of that blue are. It has smaller repeats going out to the edges of the piece, although most of them aren't as variably colored as the initial shape.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Spiral Inversions

Far too many of my titles end up being half-hearted attempts to describe the flame. By the time I finish with a piece I'm usually ready to move on, so unless I've thought of a name while I'm working, I don't want to spend much time on naming it. I suppose that's one of the failure points in my 'process,' and I should change that. Old habits die hard, though.

Today's piece didn't really get the consideration it deserved come naming time, but I rather like the piece itself. It's a little difficult to make sense of at first, which makes me want to keep looking at it. That's usually a good sign for a flame.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Trying to be Square

I really like the colors, textures and shapes presented in this image for their own sake. But the idea of all these pieces and shards and curves trying to force themselves into their little box and failing appeals to my sense of poetry. I know it's dreadfully cliche, but there's a reason we all like that cliche so much.

Compositionally, this flame uses one of my favorite techniques. Any time you have regular features that are parallel or perpendicular to the sides of the canvas, you alter the way people look at a piece. With my work, I've found that rotating those features out of true with the sides of the canvas makes it easier to see the image, instead of the box it lives in. That tiny bit of irregularity or asymmetry seems to draw people in.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Stained Lace

I really like the way the colors are distributed in this flame. For the most part, they merge seamlessly. The dark red and blue down at the bottom don't, but I think the piece would be boring if the colors were that uniform. The observant may recognize Gradient 209, but I have no shame over using it in this particular piece. It's a much more recent work, and I hadn't used it in months, I'm sure.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Leaf Tones

I actually got pretty green colors in this flame. Not very many, but some. Greens are incredibly difficult to make look good on computer monitors, for some reason. Something to do with the way the RGB color scheme works, I guess. Anyway, I was really pleased with the color palette for this flame. It's got a rather interesting texture, as well, but the color is mostly what I wanted to show off with this one.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Exploding Submarine

Probably a sign that I liked the movie 'Red October' way too much when I was a child. Ah well. You can't beat Sean Connery. This flame is 'Disentegration's sibling, produced by mutation and a little fiddling. As you can see, they've got an identical color scheme, and a lot of the elements are the same. The textures in 'Submarine' are a little bit smaller and more complex, and the shape has changed a bunch. I almost wish I'd missed a day so I would have had an excuse to post both of these at once, but it's probably better this way.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Disintegration

This flame really needs sound effects. Something along the lines of a rattling, vibrating electrical hum. Maybe a bass rumble to go along with it. I really like the wobbly, teetering feel to this piece. Add in the wavy blurs that make it look like it's vibrating and it really is a good fit for the title. You can clearly see fractal repeats of the main shape, too, which is a little unusual for this kind of flame.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Explosion with shrapnel (inset)

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Abstract 8-12-07

Maybe some sort of bird plumage? Palm fronds that are inexplicably cerulean in hue? Some manner of coral reef beastie? I couldn't decide, so this flame got saddled with an 'Abstract' for a title. This piece is a rather dramatic example of what I like to call 'artificial lighting' in a flame. It looks as thoughh there's a light source shining on just a segment of the piece, but it's actually just a trick of color and where the densest parts of the flame are.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Smoldering Spiderweb

I bet that smells really bad up close. Like burning hair. I don't know, what does burning spidersilk smell like? The lines and textures in this piece are really fun. The main variant combination here is the same as the one I used in 'Abstract 7-21-07,' although it produces a slightly different effect here. It seems to be quite a versatile technique.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Primordial Pasta

Primordial soup had noodles in it, right? All those archaic bacteria had to be eating something. Unlike yesterday's flame, 'Primordial Pasta' does beat you over the head with its fractal elements. The whole thing is made up of those little bowtie-noodle shapes. It's really a nifty effect. I especially like the way they tendril out over on the right. Even though tendril isn't a verb.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Flowering Crystals

Ten points to anybody who gets the literary reference. This piece has some fairly obvious fractal elements, but it doesn't beat you over the head with them. The sort of...'bubble' of faint bits that traces around the edges of the flame is rather interesting, and I like the way it smoothes out the the borders. Looking at it now I'm thinking that lime green and tan with aqua and purple might be a little bit of an unorthodox color choice. But fah! I defy orthodox color choices!

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Parting the Sea

A rather vaporous looking flame, in my opinion. I really liked the wispiness in this piece. The actual structure of the flame is a bit unusual; I started off by putting together a symmetrical flame by hand, and then added a few asymmetries to it. Just enough to make it interesting, really.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Mudflow

The textures in this flame really tickled my sense of aesthetics. The colors are intentionally muted to help bring them out: The grey and brown shades seemed to make them show up a little bit better. They also fit better with what the texture and shape reminded me of which was a...you guessed it, mudflow. A lahar, if you want to use the fancy word, although I've got another flame titled that. Look up 'lahar' on youtube and you'll see what I mean. They're pretty cool.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Fog

One of my very earliest works, 'Fog' was done in early 2005. This is one of my few early flames that really suceeds at color, mostly because it doesn't have very much of it. The pale lavender and green shades counter each other nicely, and fit well with the texture and shape. I was quite lucky to get that particular premade gradient for this flame. Speaking of the texture and shape, I suppose they reminded me more of the wisps fo smoke you get when you blow out a candle and it smolders for a while than fog. But hey, I'd only done thirty flames at the time. Naming conventions hadn't yet become settled.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Roaring Fire

First off, the colors are currently messed up on this page, so if the text in the image has a greenish tinge it hasn't been fixed yet.

This flame doesn't have a lot of subtlety to it. It is what it is, and that's a big old bonfire. I suppose if you're feeling creative it could be a strange looking leaf of some sort. The flame-like textures and shapes turned out really well. The colors could use tweaking, (even if you can't tell what the colors are supposed to be right now) but they're pretty close to where I wanted them.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Tangled Streams

So, this is a pretty cool looking flame. Nifty textures, interesting colors, and GREAT GATSBY THERE'S FACES IN THERE! (No, I don't know why I picked that particular exclamation. Why do you ask?) Really though, look at it. That largest black space in the middle? Mouth. Next black space up? Eye. Also another mouth. Fractal faces, cool huh? There are even nostrils in there. Really creepy looking ones, I must say. I had not intended for this to be creepy faces. But it is, so...Happy Halloween! And no, the title is not meant to be a Ghostbusters reference. Never even seen the movie.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Anemones (second view)

I'm quite fond of the 'tentacle' effect in this flame, but it's unfortunately linked rather closely to the other things that make this flame interesting. Kind of hard to transfer without it being just a copy of the original with a few tweaks. The 'second view' business in the title refers to the fact that this was the second render of this flame I did. The first one had the canvas centered a little further towards the base of the image, and the colors in that segment looked unfortunately like blood in the water. So instead we have this nice, mostly-pastel version with an unwieldy title. Pay no attention to the red over on the left. It's um...algae. Yeah. Algae. Let's go with that.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Aurora

The title for this flame is one of those 'exactly what is says on the tin' sort of things. Speaking of the title, does anybody else think 'Aurora' is a really weird word? Try saying it. The double 'or' sound feels kinda weird on the tongue.

As for the flame itself: I love the shapes in this piece. That segment to the right is almost worth clipping out and turning into a long, skinny print. The piece would be improved by a little variation in color, maybe throw in a little pink and purple. But it does work with the monochrome scheme.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Birdwing

Hey look! It's gradient 209 again! In my defense, this was only the fourth flame I used it on. Sure, I'd only done 10 flames total since I came across it, but...still! Only the fourth one. This flame also marks the first time I started doing many-repeats flames. I made 'Conch' a couple days later using this technique. 'Birdwing' itself isn't terribly interesting, but I really like the radiating lines. At the time it was pretty far up the list of cool flames.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Star Violets

Far too many of my flames seem to be "In SPACE!" I think it's because I like using black backgrounds so often. Nonetheless, the idea of delicate little flowers floating through vacuum rather tickles my sense of poetry. I'm sure there's all kinds of deeper meaning in there. On the subject of this flame, though: It's just supposed to be pretty.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Stepping stones through grass

The title may be longwinded, but I still like it. This flame has several things going on at once: There's that negative-space circle that gets repeated, seven or so rotations of it (look at the petal things the lower left and count), and a spiral variation, probably on its own triangle. The spiral variation is the piece you see intruding onto the negative-circle. The colors on this piece add nicely to the complexity, shading from a sort of olive green to an orange. They're a bit understated, but I think that works for this one.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Stellar Reef

This is a recolor that I spent maybe two minutes on. I still like it better than the original color scheme, which was pretty much the same one I used in 'Chinese Cloud' with a little bit of purple thrown in. It wasn't very attractive. I love the textures in this flame, and the new colors enhance them a lot. This is just about the only flame where I've achieved that billowy, fabric-like effect that you see over on the right. I should really see if I can duplicate that in an interesting way. All too often a technique that's interesting in one flame is ugly in another, or just doesn't work without so many elements identical to the original flame that it might as well be the same one.

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050

Napalm (fiddled)

The (fiddled) in the title of this piece indicates that it is not the original version of this flame. The original had some nasty line thingies (technical term, there) that kinda ruined the fireball effect. This flame really taught me a lot about selecting specific elements of a flame and de-emphasizing or removing them.

Plus, it looks like a fireball. What's not to like?

Download links: Right click and hit 'Save Link As' to download. If you just want to look at a larger version of the image, simply follow the link.

1280 by 1024
1680 by 1050