[feebsaint]

I really coulda used you guys for more commments, like all of the magnificent help I got on the Sensate. *shrug* Well, I got 'em done, anyway. Have a gander, and lemme know yer thoughts.

Man, I missed you guys!

[Cos]

awesome work mike! the last is definitely my favourite.

[Ninja]

*Drool*

All of them rock. Just a question about that archer one, is that a fallen comrade or someone he just killed?

[Collosimo]

Stunning as usual Mike.

Great work. Crit you wanted well..

The doomguards pic, the anatomy is very uneasing, very unpleasant, the arms and shoulders...

Other than that, why is the 'Fated' (fat head?) not wearing any Hanes?

The Sensates pic is simple brilliant, so awesome, a great artistic moment there, great imagination.


Trancendants pic, is that a guy or girl? the bjoobies, seem kinda 'buff' but feminine. Maybe she's a cowgirl!

Overall A+ for just being you.

[eyewoo]

very nice... I'd love to see some details of the pieces that show your strokes...

fleabrain...

[feebsaint]

Cos: Thanks, man! That's my fav, too.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ninja:
*Drool*

All of them rock. Just a question about that archer one, is that a fallen comrade or someone he just killed?

---

It's a symbol of a diety, and he's just put an arrow through it, as he's a member of a faction that doesn't acknowlege D&D Gods -as 'Gods.' And even hold them in contempt. He's smirking at having defaced something erected in honour of a 'God.' So, it's not really a grave, as I can see it being interpreted as, but a shrine of sorts.

Collosimo:actually, these are finished, and are being printed 'as-is' I was looking for thoughts, but changes are kinda moot at this point. Still, I welcome them, as I'll be wary of how I lay-out future works. there are definite problems with these. mistakes i overlooked, but it's now too late to do anything about it. still, 2 or 3 of these paintings, are ones i'd like to go back and fix up, for my personal preference. the sensate and the chaos guy, maybe the dwarf. dunno about the others... sorry you don't like the anatomy on the doomguard. that sucks. I think it reads wrong, because of how she's bent over, and what she's wearing. it looks fine to me, but i can see how you'd not like it. the fated dude is sporting leather underwear. you can't see it, cuz it's a thong. thanks for the comment.

fleabrain: I'll have to do that! I have much larger versions, of course. Thanks for the comment.

Love it. I'll check back later, and reply to any other comments.

[Vgta]

Wow, great work Mike, too bad the forums were down. I would have loved to have seen the progress on the paintings. The Sensate and the dwarf are my favorites.
There are a few minor things that bug me in the anatomy mainly on the dwarf, the arm holding the ax and on the Samurai looking girl (the doomsguard), but they are still awesome.
I forget now, did you paint them in painter or photoshop???
Any chance you we could see the line art???
Congrats again.

[ July 12, 2001: Message edited by: Vgta ]

[Ahcri]

I like them all! They have really nice equipments, I especially like the helm of the dwarf. Good work.

[Rinaldo]

Gah.... you Rock!
I love the Dwarf one, and that first one you showed us, the one at the bottom.

a few (harsh) thougts. the archer's left hand (our right) is a bit funky. the finges don't seem to be bent properly (the drapery on him is fantastic tho)

the pic below, the chick with the cool headdress. Idunno, the top half of her is good. the rest sorta looks a bit off. no hips to speak of (might be part of the character description) and it just doesn't seem to flow as well as the rest of her.

the one second from the bottom (the shemale thing dressed in pink ) doesn't seem to have the polish of the others.
I realise you were probably working towards a looming deadline for all of these.

a few Qs, any estimate as to how long these took?
and would it be possible to see a full size pic of one of them. could just be a crop or something. just to see what it looks like up close.

Great stuff Mike, still a few lifetimes before I'll be able to do as good=)

[Bishop_Six]

Man, these are great. My favorites are the sensate and that bearded elf dude. Great work, mike.

I missed you too, man.. *sniff*... excuse me.

[Jezebel]

Mike, you're such an amazing artist! I would give anything to be able to sit with you for a certain amount of time everyday and pick your brain or watch you work. You are so inspiring. I don't know if I could pick a favorite, they are all beautiful.

Beth

[feebsaint]

Like I said... I really could have used you guys, while I was developing these. Now I'm really disliking them, even more than before I posted here. Not to say that I hate them... I just know they could have been much better. Ah, well. *sigh*

Vgta:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Vgta
I forget now, did you paint them in painter or photoshop???
Any chance you we could see the line art???

---

All in painter. Me using photoshop, is like trying to draw with my teeth, using an oily rag, as a pencil.

Line art? Here ya go:

Athar
Doomguard
Fated
Sensate
Transcendent
Xaositects

Ahcri: Thanks!

Rinaldo: Great comments, Rinaldo... as usual. I appreciate you pointing out the flaws... as I totally agree with these comments. *sigh* Man, these coulda been so much better, had sijun not gone down for so long.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rinaldo
a few Qs, any estimate as to how long these took?
and would it be possible to see a full size pic of one of them. could just be a crop or something. just to see what it looks like up close.

---

I spent more time on some, than others. I gave loving care to the sensate, chaotic, and dwarf... but on average, I spent about 6-8 hours hashing out the line art (rough sketch to refined sketch) and about 6-8 hours of color work. Roughly, I'd say 16 hours each, on average.

If you'd really like to see these up close, here are direct links to the images, as used by Dragon Mag (usually 3000 pixels tall, at 300 dpi). These are the exact images... the size I worked with, and where Peter Whitley pulled them down for printing. 300 dpi is standard print quality, BTW. They're monstrous, so if you have a poor connection, load time could be horrid.

Athar
Doomguard
Fated
Sensate
Transcendent
Xaositects

Bishop-Six: So glad to see you again, man. *tear forms in joyful eye* Thanks.

Jezebel: Ah, what a comment! That means so much to me, Jez! Man... I wish I could access PaintChat, and hang again. Well, it may make you happy that I'll be posting my method of doing these, in my "How To" section of my site. I hope to get to that by the weekend *crosses fingers*. Thanks so much for the always enthusiastic praise!

I look forward to more posts. Man, I love this place. I went to other boards to get my 'fix' for posting, and help. Lemme tell you... no place is like this place. We should have an emergency backup place to post, in case sijun ever dies again.

[ July 12, 2001: Message edited by: feebsaint ]

[nightmare]

...*gape*
can i eat your brain?

[Vgta]

Mike YOU ROCK!!!
thanks for sharing with us.
Glad to hear that you are all settled and happy at Avanlanche.
HEHE now get some sleep and then start working on the Tutorial section

Laterz

[patrick]

FEEBS!!!These rock!!!! Overall a very excellent and consistent work.
Nits??? The archers left hand looks off, like the fingers extend too far,
The Samurai girl looks way too bony and her left hand/lower arm seems too long, the glove seems as if its falling off.
The Dwarfs left forearm looks incredibly flat, almost as if the blade is digging into his muscle (and I personally love the dwarf) maybe his blade should be dipping down more?
The sensate is perfect(gotta love those hairsticks.. )
The next to last guy looks bleached out, other than that he's fine.
the last guy just looks totally chaotic.

Not too shabby over all. I hope you got paid well for these or at least get an A++ if it was school related.

[nickmarksdotcom]

Great work! You are the best!

[zenonithus]

Amazing stuff!
Just out of curiosity, around how much would you get for one of these?

[ July 12, 2001: Message edited by: zenonithus ]

[Finnegan]

excuse me whilst I crap myself

Great stuff!!!

FINN

[Freddio]

Im printer these off in POster format and stikin em on my wall

Awesome!!!

I love you style..

the way you paint those skin tones is really cool

keep it comming

[u2art]

Mike Mike Mike......niiiice. Me likes. I do like the sensate best...but the other ones are very cool. Ido have crits, but I'll giveem to you later if you want some. I love your color schemes, and your textures. They all fell like your work, but not all the same colors, thats nice. I really like the elf dude. And the dwarf mans hairy arms and legs..hehe. Damn so did you send them out already? or are you still picking on them? Sucks that Sijun was down, wouldve liked to be there during the process, and give you some crits, but they turned out nice You rock my nuts as usual. I'll chat with ya later Mr Man...


Art
arts art

[Pat]

Feeb, you should let us know when the issue comes out. I haven't bought an issue of Dragon since I was a kid, but I can't think of a better excuse than getting to see the final print version of these gems.

-Pat

[feebsaint]

I've only got a minute to reply here, but I'll be back later, today, to go into this deeper. Your comments are really making my day. I'm getting some repeat comments about some things, which really show me how they could have been better. I cringe that these are the final paintings, that Dragon is using.

That should answer one question... that this is the stuff Dragon is using. If I had another week, I would take every comment here, and give these works a total overhaul. The only piece that everyone seems to be satisfied wholly with, is the sensate pic. I do believe it's because you rock-n-roll ppl helped me make the damn thing! Of course you're happy! I should give credit to everyone here on her!

Again, the issue this is being released, is #287. I think that's the September issue, which means some of you will be getting it in August (subscribers). Don't magazine stands usually sport the issue that has the next month's date on it? Hmm... all I can say is, keep an eye out for issue #287, and all should be well. I'd be glad to sign your issue, if you mail them to me with a S.A.S.E. I've been signing other issues of dragon, for local comic-book stores, etc.

Ok. I have to go. Time for supper with a friend. I'll be back soon! Love the comments! (inividual response coming within a couple hours)

[Frosted Flame]

Mike,

Okay, it wasn't entirely official before, but you now officially own my ass. Seriously, I'll be sending you my ass in the mail. I know, I know, you probably don't "swing that way", and neither do I, but dude, your stuff is just too good. So, in lieu of this, I am giving you my ass. Please don't put anything in it.

I am slightly intoxicated right now, but that doesn't matter - everything I am saying is absolutely true. In all sincerity, your stuff is phenomenal. I look forward to your posts constantly. With these 6 paintings, you have pushed yourself to the top of my "Too Cool For Words" list. And with that, another beer!

[Dryfire]

cool

[Blitz]

Hey Mike my boy.
How are things in the land of OZ?

Well Im just blown away like a goose through a 747 jet.

These are absolutly wonderfull. There seems to be so much sweetness in one thread that Im shakeing and typing and trying to come up with remarks and and and stuff.

Im am very inspired by your work. Lately I have been in a slup and cant seem to be happy with anything I DO. Its so frustrating sometimes. Especialy when your still striveing to reach a profesional level...but Im sure you know what I mean.

Your pics and your site always lift my head and spirits. Always a good sorce for IDEAS.

Well Ciao my friend...
OH YAH

Your pics are one of the reasons I got a subscription to Dragon Mag.
Can I send it to you and get it sighned. That would be great. Id be so happy...Well, I wont pinch my nipples till it happens.
Seeyas friend

Blitz
Levi

[kaylon]

Awesome..simply awesome...Mike..what did ya do the line art with?. Sepia pencil?...in Painter ?.

Kay.

[feebsaint]

nightmare: Go ahead.

Vgta: I started on it yesterday. I've been 'working' today, and haven't gotten to it, but it'll be up in something like a week, I'm guessing. Thanks.

patrick: I didn't do it for school, so no grade... and I didn't get paid too well, either. Still, it was a great opportunity to get more art out there, and I hope to get better jobs because of it. Thanks for your crit on those (especially the hairsticks... thanks for that!).

nickmarksdotcom: Omigod, what a compliment. Thanks a helluva lot, nick... that means a ton to me! You're the best.

zenonithus: Thanks! How much? Um.. I'd be embarrassed to say. Pretty lousy pay for what I gave 'em. That's all I'm gonna say on that. :\

Finnegan: Haha... thanks!

Freddio: Thanks, man! I will keep 'em comin'.

u2art: Yeah, these are the final versions... too bad I can't pick over them... they do need a lot of work, but I'm gonna pass on that... I'll rehash the good ones, but at least 2 or 3 will stay 'as-is.' Thanks for your compliments and critiques.

Pat: Like I mentioned above, I don't know the month for sure, but I think it will come out in August or September, cuz I think it's the September issue. The issue # is 287... that should be enough info. Thanks for the comment!

Frosted Flame: Holy hell, what a compliment. I look forward to your posts too... thanks for posting here. Hahaha... yeah, right, about me owning your ass. I'll put a "return to sender" sticker on the package, and don't worry... I won't put anything in it. I don't own it, and even if I did, I think I'd let you keep it. Dude... thanks so much for such an awesome post.

Dryfire: Donka.

Blitz: Of course I'll sign it, if you send me a copy. Dude, you rock. I know about those slumps (see email I sent you yesterday). I go through them, and about lose my mind, trying to break through the lameness. All I can say about that, is what I said in that email. Keep pushing, and find something new and fresh about your personal style... and feed on it... you'll find the slump is behind you.

kaylon: Heyyy... thanks. The lineart? I did it with the felt marker. I modified it, from it's original settings... I go to Brush Controls / Angle / and crank the squeeze up to 100%. Making it perfectly round. I set the color at a near black... on Painters triangle/circle color picker... I pick an reddish/orange color, and on the bottom edge of the triangle, I slide the little circle there -about 1/10th of the way up (circle is on lower edge 1/10th of the way to the right). Hope that makes sense. That's what I use! It's a great friggin' drawing tool.

Thanks again, all! You've all helped tremendously...

...but I'm keeping all of the money for myself!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

*bump*