[Torstein Nordstrand]

Hi all

I'm in trouble. All of a sudden, creating has become a huge machinery to supervise. Itten's "The elements of color" is to blame, it's so precise and definite, it's my new bible. I can suddenly vaguely understand what Manley says about "pushing and pulling the colour space" and stuff

I see a few irritating mistakes, but I'd like your fresh eyes on it. What would you change?

[Mr. T]

it's great, been experimenting with this lately myself.

[Torstein Nordstrand]

Thanks Mr T. I've been lurking her for some time, and have seen some of your pictures. You seem to take the process seriously, and I like that. Any tips you'd like to spill? What do you see?

[Anthony]

Looks cool. I would open his/her eyes to look right at us. :]

[Mr. T]

Wow, someone noticed me

Hm, his right leg is weird, the hip seems to be too low. I'm curious about the approach here; did you do the sketch of this pose without clothes and add them later, or just started with clothes on and winged the anatomy? also, the blurry look is great, but i'd just add a layer on top of it and make some details where it's necessarry. some hard edges would find their place in the pic too. Concerning the clothes- the stuff on the head has much more colour variety and is lighter than the rest of the clothes... is it other material? The lighting is a bit inconsistent on the body, the whole lower half actually. Too sleepy to continue... might do a repaint tomorrow.

cheers

[Torstein Nordstrand]

Thanks Anthony, I will be considering opening the persons eyes. I originally started with a sense of calm about this picture, but wanted to make it a bit more juicy, dare to use colour. It's still cold, but there's more life to it now. Maybe it's time for a stare...

Mr. T, you're a productive guy, how could I fail to notice? Thanks for all the advice, I hope I have been able to turn them into good use in the updated versjion below. Seems to me there is more detail/items to be added, and some cleaning. But otherwise, does it read correctly? I'm starting to go blind on it, maybe I should just let it go?

Comments appreciated.

[razzak]

u should define the knives, they look like two pointy lightbulbs

[Torstein Nordstrand]

Thanks Razzak... I was actually working on the knives when I saw your post. Didn't quite think of them that way, though

Nearing completion now, will work some more on head, hands and sword. The lower knife might fit better if darker too. Otherwise, I'm pleased so far. Colour scheme and depth through colours (saturation, hue) have been mostly on my mind. If you suspect I've missed something, or have some insight to share on my color abuse, please speak up. 'Tis most important.

[Mr. T]

Try to avoid that glowy look around the character (the green part of the background)... and get some reference for clothes - it'll make enormous difference.

[Torstein Nordstrand]

Nearly there... any tips or overpaints for that face welcome, though I'm not sure it's really necessary to bring it forward. There will also be an additional weapon behind. Mr T, haven't picked up any clothes reference yet, but hope that aspect has improved nonetheless.

[FelixL]

I think the upper part of the first pict you posted has something magical that you lost a bit in the following images. Can't tell what, but I feel that... Maybe close cut the "magic" and paste it in your most recent version, just to see?

[Torstein Nordstrand]

Hmm... that's an interesting observation. Maybe it's because it's rougher, or maybe it is because the headcloth is so much lighter there. Makes for more contrast. But I was told that my lightning and local colours was way off, so I corrected it I'll look into it, thanks.

[m703-324]

it's getting worse IMHO
loosing it's movement... and sence of captured moment
looks too posing now...
and I have no idea why... i think that's just my imagination
but i liked first one very much

[Torstein Nordstrand]

It IS your imagination talking
And that's cool, because it's our empathy and interpretation I have to consider when making this image. First of all, a choice must be made - do I want a moving, wild picture or do I want a calmer, serene setting? Do I want the focus on the action or the person? How did I stop the movement? How can I bring it back? Why does it seem so calm and still now? The experiment continues... Please share your impression and insight.

[duality]

I like the first "rough" better than all of the subsequent images. Reasons being:
The first is very neutral with the exception of the head, which is warm, and the lighting in the background, being cool... This is a strong focal point that is lost in later versions due to the harsher, more saturated color.
Secondly, the image has become static and overworked. I never felt that all of the shapes needed defining because of its dance-like quality. Once the motion was eliminated, the closed eyes don't have the contrast that they did. (Motion and stillness combined) The result is quiet and static. It doesn't seem as engaging.
Finally, the painterly quality within the first is great on so many levels... A much more subconscious, free flowing character that is mysterious, and doesn't need all of its questions of form answered.

I think that if you were to continue to work on the final image, solutions could be that you wrap the cape dynamically behind the character, break the static strait lines of the forearm guards, plane the lighting dynamically and/or direct his gaze strait out of the painting. All of these are ways to bring motion and interaction back to the viewer without compromising the linier tightness that you've worked to achieve.

I don't want this to come across poorly, because I really like the process and the images. You've got a great hand... Not that I'm an example of this... but, I've always been told that the difference between a great artist and a mediocre one is the ability to know when to put down the brush.

[Torstein Nordstrand]

I hope I've turned your advice and observation to use here, Duality. I decided to keep the detail level, and the firmness of the figure elements. Instead I've experimented with reworking the saturation, adding some verticals and strokes into the background. I think this has created more movement. Also, a few new picture elements seem to have put more weight on the story, instead of the character. I'm really starting to enjoy this process... What's next?

[Torstein Nordstrand]

The painting is now finished, and is on display in the Gallery/Finished Work section, right here.

[duality]

WOW... really like the progress... a lot! And as far as the story is concerned, much better... Face is great and I like how you took out detail to achieve finality... only comment might be the shading behind the baby's head, but huge improvement... this was a fun one! Good job...