[mantis]

This is a pic I have been working on, the resolution got fucked so you might notice the pixalated effect. I need to know what you think so far and any improvements I can make. I wrote down my plans for the coloring. The actual pic was drawn in an hour using my wacom graphire, which I am still getting used too.

BTW. I am starting to experience slight pains in my upper-arm and my forearm after 4+ hours of using my wacom. RSI? If so, is there anyway to avoid this? Currently, I do not have an armrest or a wrist coushin.

I have seen texture paintovers and have tried them in a simple way by applying the texture at a low oppacity and then painting over it. Just confirming if there is a better way.





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Arpan . B
[email protected]
www.liquid2k.com/koma
Highroller Studios

[Pigeon]

Hi Mantis,

My 2 cents: Just so you know, it seems like the light source is coming from the font and above.

Be cautious when working the background. Right now because it is so stylistic, you don't have to worry to much about the background being "realistic," but if you make the figure more and more realistic, the background will need to be too.

Otherwise, I say carry on! I like the style.

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-Pigeon
http://www.darklight.org/dunakin

[mantis]

the lighting got screwed up thorugh JPEG compression, it's just supposed to be solid grey for now. I think I understand what you mean with the ratio f stylistic : realistic. I am trying to achieve a pseudo real stone background with cracks and niches, however a deep black "shadow" or glow will emit from the head, kindof like a dark halo.

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Arpan . B
[email protected]
www.liquid2k.com/koma
Highroller Studios

[EviLToYLeT]

I don't see how the ligthing got screwed up with the jpg compression....but anyway, if you feel pain in your arms, you should stop and go see a doctor....... or just simply get off your rear.. like your picture so far... but like pigeon said, i can't find out where the light is coming from.. might want to first figure out all your light sources etc before you start on coloring. it'll save you a lot of time.

[mantis]

ok, it wasn't jpeg compression I lied. I had the pic in 1000x1000, than I made a stupid mistake and ended up with 300x300, which was too small. So then I took a screenshot and cropped it out, at this point everything except for the background was solid color(SOLID! NO LIGHTS!). Then the thing messed it up and added a bit of glare in the center of the face.

I haven't even begun coloring except for the little shading in the BG. I really wanted some critique on the drawing itself and perhaps some texture paintover tips.

Thanx for all the replies, keep them coming.

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Arpan . B
[email protected]
www.liquid2k.com/koma
Highroller Studios

[Pigeon]

Hey Mantis,

I actually like the drawing as it is - looks like a woodblock print. I actually like the green background too, but I'm weird that way.

About the ratio thing I had mentioned: the balance in the piece is good right now. I just don't want to see you spoil it. Sorry to hear about your resolution loss; just don't forget to save the current state separately before you develop the piece more.

About the pain in the arms. Yeah, I had that too when I had a 4x6 WACOM. Switching to a bigger tablet helped (12x12 now) because I could then use my whole arm when drawing. A lot of it stems from resting your wrist on the tablet, thus putting pressure on your muscles, blood veins, nerves, etc while you're trying to move them. I say get a bigger tablet, which is expensive, or try to keep your wrist off the table as you draw. It'll take some getting used to, and you'll loose some control at first, but it's heathier I think (I'm not a doctor...)

ciao

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-Pigeon
http://www.darklight.org/dunakin

[mantis]

thanx for the advice with the rsi and the piece. I will start using wristpad and try to get a chair with armrests until I get a good intous. Hopefully, the finished product won't look like a wood block, I really haven't added any effects yet, that's probably why.

you know, some lens flares and some plastic wrap should make it look good-right?

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Arpan . B
[email protected]
www.liquid2k.com/koma
Highroller Studios

[samdragon]

here are some suggestions to help you out. I did it pretty quick, but i think you'll get the idea of what's going on. The main things are.
The centerline of the face, use this to help with proportions of the head. Pay attention to where the cheeks are. These bones that are closest to the skin usually have a bright spot on them.
another method is to flip your image horizontally, vertically or what ever to make sure you proportions are correct.
We look at faces all our life, it's easy to pick up little things like one eye is higher than the other etc etc.
speaking of eyes. eyes set inside a socket of the skull. So little light actually hits them. Light usually his the brow or the upper lids and some areas just under the eye.
For a more mysterious look, darken in the eyes and leave just a hint of the eyeball.
The nose will amost always cast a shadow. This helps give it depth and bring it off of the face. the lower lip has the same effect as it has dimple just before the chin juts out.
I'm speaking in general, not all faces have these characteristics but it's important to have a basic understanding.

i also brought up the wires/tendrel so they would give the appearence of shoulders or wings, which ever you're going for.

Actually, the linocut(block cut) would be a nice idea. It's great for working in positive and negative space.

I didn't do much for the lighting, I believe someone mentioned it before, but your lighting is all over the place. this can get confusing to the viewer. If you're going to use do this, use as a sculpturing effect. In other words, use the light to make the features stand out. It doesn't have to be from any direction.
Ok..enough rambling..have fun, can't wait to see what you do with it.

[mantis]

samdragon thank you so much for taking the time to create the mockup, it helped a great deal to identify my mistakes. I will keep everyone posted on how the pic goes, thanx for the help.

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Arpan . B
[email protected]
www.liquid2k.com/koma
Highroller Studios