[Weirzbowski]

So I actually just wrote this post out, hit submit . . . and realized that I had left the subject blank, hit stop . . and lost everything. Hopefully only this post will show up now. Anyhow, I replied to an earlier post, but figured I better join the fray and post one of my images up. It's about a year and a half old, but I never tried to improve it-- and you're the best group to help me do so-- here it is:
I was a HUGE Dragonlance fan growing up, and I'll always remember this one passage where one of the characters (Cameron, for you other fans) was bunkered down in a castle, waiting for the enemy to attack, when the sun came up over the battlements, and he realized that THIS was what he lived for, and that this might be the last time he ever experienced it. So I was trying to recreate a battle-weary, war-tested sentry, who was in his element, but very aware of the fact that he was probably going to die. This characterization probably doesn't come through, but that's what I was going for. Now: How can I make this better? All constructive comments/suggestions/etc. are greatly appreciated

[SporQ]

wonderful colors, nice soft feel. it does have the effect of him reflecting, although i dont see any battlements?

SporQ

[u2art]

He looks too posed to being "saying" anything. You have to make it read as you would like by using the gesture of your subject...a sort of upright pose, looking directly at the viewer, is kind of boring. Though slightly intimidating to the viewer. Try for more of a color mood, color does some amazing things!!!! Do some color studies first...or use PS's color tools and see what it looks like...I was thinking reds...but then I love monochromatic work. The fact that he looks kind of ready for battle is good, sword in hand...just try to push it...watch some great war movies...imagine what you would be like in the same situation. I love the technique though, very nice, I would be interested in your process

[Weirzbowski]

Thanks, Sporq , as for the battlements . . I wasn't going for that one scene in the literal sense; I just wanted to try to capture that emotion . . . that particular episode just stuck out in my mind as a great vehicle for it . . .

[Matt Elder]

Neato. I like some of the things that you have going on here. I guess a comment would be that the image is kinda too static. As per a previous post, the character just isn't inviting. Also having the tree next to him being bolt upright almost makes you think the way the tree was created was a little bit forced. The colours and textures are fantastic though and if this is a year and a half old, what have you been doing in the last year?

One of the first things that did jump out at me was his right bicep. It just seems a little stretched out as it is also long as his forearm the way you have him here which doesn't look right. Something funny also appears to be going on with the guys left knee but I can't draw knee's to save my life so I won't comment any further. I really like the flowers in the bottom left corner.

Its all good.

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See ya on da flip side
Matt
http://www.mattelder.com

[RobT]

The first Dragonlance Trilogy was the best. I thought Raistlin was cool.
Good work on the pic!

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RobT

Mindstorm Illustration

[Weirzbowski]

Cool-- thanks for the input, guys . . I think it'd be best if I just redid it, at this point (using the original as a reference). I can definitely see what you mean by it being too static and posed . . I'd like to change his position and the color scheme and try and make it more dramatic. . . this'll probably take awhile, but I'll try and post the steps as I go along so I can create this one somewhat interactively (rather than slapping my head at the end and saying, 'Dammit!' a lot).
As for the last year and a half, I've been trying to work a little more on the 3d end of things. Rather than dump a bunch of images inline, I whipped up a tripod account and uploaded a handful of pics there . . . it's over here (eh, Netscape is ignoring my style sheets, but rather than fix it I'll just recommend i.e. -- there isn't any content, really, besides the images, anyhow) . . .

Thanks again, guys

Mike

[Brue]

i like the grass