Yet Another Painting

[myucka]

Had this pose in my head and needed to get it out.

Hope you like it. Still lots to do.

[M_Cederstrom]

nice little starte, can't wait to see it finish.

[BenniKImmel]

If im getting the right idea from it, I like the direction its going.

[Kitana]

I can't say nothing right now - finish it. I want to give a point that in this pose the left arm might be little visible behind the back

[Avatar-3DT]

Is this a night scene or a day scene? I'm asking because the light placement allows for more dramatic lighting and shadows. I think the character should be place more towards the middle of the road and for that you might need to resize the image. The ponytail has a strange position and steals the eye, it might be better to make it less obviouse and hide it more behind the character. The posture doesn't justify its position right now (and there should be a really strong wind outside to make it move like that). I'll be waiting for the next upate. Goodluck!

[BenniKImmel]

I agree with Avatar, I didnt realize it until he said it but the guy is a bit off to the side on the road.

[myucka]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

As always Avatar, your suggestions are great and your critiques better. In this case, however, I think I will keep him situated where he is. I have tried a couple of placements and nothing seems to do it for me for some reason. This looks more natural to me.

I always like the swishing ponytail...maybe from all of my comic book days...lol. Anyway, I will work on how I want it, but you are right that it does distract a bit.

It is a daytime scene on a mountain trail. Basically this character has been followed and he just spun around to confront his assailant. Hence the ready stance and why he is not centered more...good excuse eh?

I am hoping to play more with shading and be a bit more daring with highlights and shadows. I seem to always hint at highlights, but never fully commit. The boot color needs to be straightened out I admit, I can't decide how I want it. I also need to get a better reference for the sword hand as this doesn't seem to be working out well on that hand.

Thanks again for looking!!

[myucka]

Ok. I relent. I moved the character and started working on some proportion and perspective issues. I have a picnic to go to, so here is my update for today

[M_Cederstrom]

sweet update.

[Avatar-3DT]

You'll have to fix the sky (right now doesn't really look like a daylight sky) but the position is better now for the overall composition. I think the dagger hand should be lower (the blade too), almost towards the upper middle of the thigh. Keep up the good work and I'll keep an eye out for your next update.

[myucka]

Okay I messed around with the sky. I originally wanted an overcast sky, but I like this better. I also took it back a step as some people believed the painting was becoming too sterile. I want to try to have it refined, but not completely smooth. I want to have some brush strokes for texture, but I want to have a pretty detailed and refined character.

I want to thank everyone for their critiques.

[Avatar-3DT]

Quick paintover for some pointer and ideas. I thought showing you might value more than another bunch of words.

[pitchus]

it never stops to amaze me, what you can do with all those (potentionally) good paintings...

[myucka]

Avatar: I hate you...hehe This is pretty much what I was going for, but I can never seem to get it out...aaarghhh.

I know I have to keep practicing, but man, I'm so far from where I want to be and I've been drawing for almost 20 years. Admittedly, I've only been painting seriously for the last few...

I'll keep digging though.

[Avatar-3DT]

I'm 33 and I draw since I was 3. I work in Photoshop just for about 5 years. Maybe even less. You have to be patient. Practice a lot. Spend time just watching the people and the things around you. Believe it or not, most of the time people look around them just superficially. Use references, don't be afraid of them. Some people have a natural talent on spoting the right colors, the other just have to train themselfs, use the color until they become instinctive. I'm sure you can do it. Keep it up!