[ValarianROOT]

Okay, I started working on this back in November. I've already gotten tons of help from when I posted it earlier (Thanks a ton Anthony!). Link to the previous thread.

Now that the holidays are over I've come back to it again and now i'm stuck again. I don't know whether or not the changes i've made are any good. So, please help me this thing is taking over my life!!!




The first is implementing some of the suggestions from the previous thread and the second is a clear view to the figure that is supposed to be the main iterrest. Those blobs in the foreground are supposed to be a SWAT team that have forced her to surrender, and that's her gun at her feet.

Give me the straight dope on this one, please. This is something i'd like to put in my portfolio.

Thanks. JN

[ January 07, 2002: Message edited by: ValarianROOT ]

[Jezebel]

I like the second version a lot more.

[LoTekK]

imo the second pic has more going for it in terms of composition, but i see a lot of problems as far as context... first off, i'm assuming you'll be playing around some more with the colors of the pic overall, but just to get it out in the open, she looks rather out of place at the moment (she's way too bright for the dark background)...
but anyways, back tot he context bit... for someone who's just been forced to surrender, she looks awfully pleased with herself... or smug... or something, i can't come up with the right word... but yeah, if you could change her pose (which i'm sure you won't be too happy about, seeing as you've put a lot of work into her, based on the previous thread)... i dunno, the SWAT guys look cool, and the girl looks cool, but they just don't fit together context-wise, y'know?

just my $0.02...

[Anthony]

Hope ya don't mind me doing another paintover for ya. I agree with the previous comment that you oughta work on creating more mood. That can go a long way towards making a piece interesting where the pose and composition might otherwise not warrant it. You can certainly do something interesting with what you have, but I don't want to give you too many suggestions on what to put in it to make it interesting. There are many things though! Think cool thoughts

[ValarianROOT]

I gues to be completely honest this originally started out just as a character study. I'm not really sure about a story behind what is going on now other than I like that she's got a cocky look about her and the old broken down cathedral for a back ground. Does a pic need to tell much more of a story than just look cool? Because a lot of comic artist and other artist like Brom, just seem to be painting a cool character. I don't mean to come off unappreciative, 'cause i really am, of all the help and suggestions. I also would prefer to tell a story with my pictures, I want to illustrate, so I need to have that ability. What it just comes down to is I've limited myself with what exactly could be the story behind this.

Who is she, what is she doing in the cathedral, what pint in time is this taking place, is it a sci-fi story, a fantasy one? These are just a few of the questions i'm wrestling with with this drawing. I know that i have a bit of drawing ability i just lack creativity to think of some thing cool and original. Okay maybe its not a lack just I strugle and second guess myself too much. Okay enough whining...

I thank you all for all the comments and effort you've put forth to my request for help. I probably will have to take this one back to the drawingboard a bit.

So, where should I go story-wise with this painting? No don't answer that I have to figure it out for myself...

Maybe I should've posted this itn the "Random Mussings" section.

[Anthony]

Don't get down! When making up stuff for a pic you're doing just that-making it up. Remember Bob Ross? No one can tell you that the tree you're painting doesn't look like that, cause you're not painting a specific tree. Just so, it doesn't matter so much what she's doing in the cathedral-only that she's doing something at all! See, it's easy! Just have fun with it, because if you don't, it won't come out well.

[ValarianROOT]

I have to appologize to you Anthony. I din't thank you for the overpaint. So, thank you. I really like the atmosphere you pulled off and shall try to keep that in mind.

Yeah I guess it is easier to think up concepts for me than I like to let on to myself sometimes. I just can't execute it as fast as I'd like to yet and there are times I get stuck. I guess most people have this kind of problem at times. So I'm not really down I'm just frustrated: I work a crapy job, and all I can think about is how I have to improve and build up a portfolio as fast as I can GET THE HELL OUT!!! Anyway...

I'm gonna be wishy-washy on this one I like the SWAT guys, and I think if I take them out I should crop closer in on her again. In which case I would probably turn her into a street mage like from Shadowrun. Put some staticy glow around her hand.
Am I totally screwed in trying to fit the Swat guys into the pic or what? The truth please.

JN

p.s. I really am working on it not just typing these replies...

[ValarianROOT]

Messed a bit with her this evening.



[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: ValarianROOT ]

[ValarianROOT]

ah... a new light source. I thinkt the window is too overpowering i'll have to tone it down.

[LoTekK]

oooh, i like that last one... very nice... although compositionally, it's rather unbalanced...

[ValarianROOT]

Did a bit more work this morning. Worked a lot on the face. Don't like the result so far. She looks to plain or too old and it looks strange at a smaller scale. Don't know how far I should crop in, any suggestions?



JN

[ValarianROOT]

Had a friend stand in front of a light to help with the lighting and changed her hair. Anybody's crits/comments on the changes would be appreciated.

Thanks

JN

[ValarianROOT]

A detail of the changes made.