[S4Sb]

In case you can't figure what's going on in there, it's two scouts observing a tower, that is still under construction. Now my question is: Is a colouring like on the left scout possible in real life? I mean, actually he was supposed to be only a silhouette. But that looked just wrong. So can it be that the light coming through the leaves of the trees create only very local colour spots?

I'm planning to take this sketch a lot further. So any general critique about colours, composition etc. and/or paintovers are greatly appreciated.

Take care



[edit] changed headline [/edit]

[ October 22, 2001: Message edited by: S4Sb ]

[Ragnarok]

I think it's possible, but the lighting would be less uniform, the light will come through the leaves so there should be some strong shadows on the arm and so.
It's just my opinion.

[Icannon]

i think in reality you would see color in both of them, just really low values and some brighter areas where the sun hits them. hell if i know the truth, tho. it's looking nice, btw.

[Dryfire]

Hey S4Sb, remember me?!
Hmm your problems with the colors, i think the guy on the left looks great maybe define some dark grays in there to help define the shape.. i would do the same thing with that bit of colors like you did with the first... i think that would give you a more realistic look... go for it and see what happens ;-)

[frostfyre]

Neat concept! I think the silhouetting is possible, but probably would read better with some back light, like a light shining through the trees beyond that figure, while another light is glancing the figure that is closer. I'd probaby push contrast a bit more, too. Here's my ultra bad paint over to demonstrate-

I can't wait to see where it goes!

Cheers!

[Bg]

[S4Sb]

Ragnarok: Like this?

Icannon: Like that?

Dryfire: Sure I do Greetings.
Better now?

frostfyre: Thanks. Itried your suggestion, but i didn't look very convicing how I did it. I then searched for reference. But what I found required fog:

I dunno if there is any other way of doing it. But that's a cool idea and if someone knows how to do it I would love to add it.

Bg: Thanks, man. I guess I'll never get the colours right.

[ October 22, 2001: Message edited by: S4Sb ]

[Pigeon]

I think Bg's point was only tangentially about color. His main point was that the composition could be a lot better. If the piece is about scouts watching a tower, make it more about the scouts and tower, rather than the landscape. Blow up the scouts a though you're looking over their shoulder at the tower. That way you can also work in detail more on how the light interacts with them.

However if your point is to make a landscape with the scouts as a little surprise for viewers who look closer, leave the composition the same, make the scouts into silhouettes, and work on the trees.

[S4Sb]

Pigeon: Well, it started as a landscape practice. Since I really have problems with everything else than human characters. I just added the scouts later to give it a topic. I kinda let it flow.
But I get your and Bg's point. However, I achieved the landscape/colour practice. So maybe it's time to move on. I'll give it a try. Thanks to you both. Colours seem to be ok now since nobody is complaining.

[jerO]

here's something for ya.
(it's not mine, i'm linking to Matt Wilson)


just an interesting look at a similar situation (mostly landscape, figure in FG, structure in BG).
check out the work in progress page here

[Ragnarok]

I think it's looking good. I'll try what Bg is suggesting, just to see if it works, that way you'll get also higher contrast and the scouts would be an important focus, so the tower was in lower contrast and just background.
I don't know, you say it's a practice piece so do whatever you want =)

[S4Sb]

JerO: Thanks! Cool reference! Man, he's a real master.

Ragnarok: Thanks. I tried it. But I just noticed that I forgot the sunbeams through the leaves.






Which version is better? Or should I remove the hand? I have the feeling that it constricts the rest of the pic composition wise...

Thanks for your help

[Pigeon]

Well, the hand really gives a sense that the viewer is part of the scene, but on the other hand it looks like the hand is going to bean the scouts on the head with a rock or something. In the bottom one, it's hard to tell what the hand is grasping.

I'd leave the hand out. I think besides those ambiguities, it interupts the movement of the piece, compositionally as well as the sense of fore/mid/background.

But it's coming along.

[S4Sb]

Pigeon: Thanks for your constructive criticism!

Instead of removing the hand I moved it downwards to make it less dominating. And I added two more scouts to take some of the assasination tension.
I hope it works. I'm just playing with it.


Remind me to work in a higher resolution next time

[Dryfire]

Ahh awesome, great improvements man :-)

[Pigeon]

The scout facing us looks kind of jolly... spoils the mood of ambush

quote

Quote:

Remind me to work in a higher resolution next time

Ok, do so.

[Shiro_tengu]

I like what you did with the light rays. However your picture is much more powerful without the hand and without the addition of the third scout looking in our direction. revert back to the two people and together with your completed atmosphere, you will have a great image.

[ October 24, 2001: Message edited by: Shiro_tengu ]

[Ragnarok]

I think the hand gets the attention away form the scouts and also gives the impression of someone ambushing the scouts, maybe another gest?
The sunbeams are good, I like how they work =)
The third's face isn't very appropiate, but also I'll set some parts in shadow, more like the leaves cast more shadows.
I hope you get what I mean =)