[Ax0]

Ok, here's pic. that I did today. Couldn't
think of anything in the backround.
so this is how it came out.

[-Tepox-]

Alrighty then... I like his face... it's ok.
It would be good to use your own hands as reference when you draw them.
but the huge problem is that this kind of pic needs darker background or atleast some color on it! You've made two black thingies on the white backgrnd. It just can't work well 'cause they take watchers focus to them not to your characther. (too much contrast).
Skin tones are also ok (in basic level). I suggest to you make some experiments with colors: try to add different colors (for ex. green, violet, purple..?!?) somewhere into your characthers skin. The colors you add should depend pretty much from that what kind of lightning situation you want to create.
one good advice: avoid using pure black.

I hope this helps you a little forward.

[Staff Sarge]

Ax0, I did a 10min scetch study of some lightning arcs (& blatantly ripped off your two orbs, hehe) , take a look:



The method I used creating these was using Paintbrush Tool with a hard-edged brush, stylus set on opacity and size (100% opacity). I picked a bright purple and, with varying pressure, steadily built up the arcs.

Then, I added the glow by selecting slightly bigger soft-edged brush. I lowered brush opacity down to about 30% and carefully followed some of the arcs, preferring the thicker ones. I applied the same varying pressure along the arc as I used in the earlier step.

After this, I selected a small brush and added some 255,255,255 white on the thickest parts of the arcs. Also, I made some finishing touches with eraser, cleaning up the glow etc.

Hope this gives you some inspiration, keep on experimenting!

[Ax0]

WOW!

Tepox: Thanks for the advice. This week i'm
just gonna play around with the colors. To
just see how it works out. The backrounds
been my curse for now. Can't bring the
depth and realityness in it. I was in big
trouble when finished this. I got the person
done and had so little space for the
backround. As I look at it now, I realize
that leaving the white backround was
a mistake. Anyways thanks for the tips.

Thrush: The hands anatomy is explained cause
of the orbs. He's handling them with his
finger tips. So it takes a little different
shapes and positions. So I guess it was
a "style of choice" . And my god, that
paintover really shows that my pic. can be
saved if painted properly. Thanks a lot.

Staff S.: Noo, not the Orbs . Looks good.
Gives me a whole new Idea for the Orbs.

[Thrush]

Hey Ax0, I like your idea here and I'll be damned if I'll let it fall off the first page with only one comment. I have to agree that the lack of color in the background is the biggest hurt happening in this image. The anatomy is a little strange in the hands especially but almost comes off as a style choice (which is it?). I hope you don't mind but I took a few minutes and did a paintover to add some color and suggest a possible lighting solution. Keep posting your stuff.