[L99Relm]

Well, here's my second attempt at painting Sydney (because I hated the first one so much) -I'm trying to get him to look more like I think he should. Anyway, I'd really appreciate any critiques, help or pointers you could give me; especially with the lighting and anatomy. Thanks.

[g:tech]

The lighting is pretty cool, especially the window. I like the warm golden light, too.

Anatomy? The head, neck, and chest look great. Nice job. The area directly underneath the chest (not sure about proper terminology here, so just bear with me ) it looks like he almost has 2 diaphragms? You may want to fix it up so he only has one, and then add 6 abs. 4 above the navel, and 2 below. I think that is the general standard. The other abs aren't usually visible? Is this correct?

Nice job!

peace,

[extension13]

background I like, hair is good... the only thing that bothers me is the face. I think it looks..... maybe too "lumpy"? Like coming off, too plastic and I think that makes it look a little awkward or crooked... I'd just maybe try and soften it a little or something... otherwise very nice image. Colors are very good.

[DarkBlade]

Lookin good. This is gonna sound nit-picky, but its' buggin me. One of his eyes (viewer's right, his left) the shadow does not fall as low on the viewer's right side as it ought too. Makes it look as if the entire thing is positioned a tad high.

[Pat]

I'm not too familiar with Vagrant Story so the "snowy" stuff around him confuses me. It kinda looks like he's got a bad case of dandruff.

I like the colors though, but when I use a warm and a cool lighting scheme like this, usually one is submissive and the other dominant. In your piece it looks divided down the middle. That's cool though, but it might give the suggestion that this is a "staged" pose. Anyway, I really like the snow/frost/dusty stuff in the nooks of the windows. Keep up the fantastic work!

-Pat

[Mime]

very nice relm

i like how you always paint video game characters in a somewhat realistic way.

i really like this one, like it has already been said, maybe the parts around the abdominals may be a bit weird, but it doesnt really bugs me.

one thing, it would have been good to show a part of his mechanical arm, so it would have been easier to recognize him.

anyway, really great work

[L99Relm]

Thank you for taking the time to help people:

g:tech: I tried to correct the abs problem and I also moved the bellybutton up because I believe it's supposed to be 2 heads down from the chin. Do you think it looks better? The thing is, he's not really supposed to have much in the way of muscles at all -I just wasn't sure how I could draw his skinny chest and stomach. If anyone has a reference picture of a pretty skinny not very built guy's chest they'd share I'd appreciate it (maybe even one that shows a hint of ribs).

extension13: Glad you like the background (the fact that it actually looked good when I was done with it kinda surprised me). I tried to soften the face a little, but I find it very hard to do with the different colors of light coming from opposite directions. Do you think it was enough?

DarkBlade: Nope doesn't sound nit-picky at all -this is the kind of stuff I look to correct through receiving critiques and making changes. I tried to fix the problem with the shadows that you stated but I'm not entirely sure what you're referring to...Were you saying that the shadow of the eyelid on the eye does not fall low enough on his left eye? Or we're you referring to something else, some other shadow around the eye?

Pat: I added the "snowy" stuff because I just thought it looked cool (I guess it's supposed to be magic....hmmm) The picture looked a little empty and blah before I tried adding it. Does it really look that much like dandruff? >_<

Mime: Thanks, I am trying for realistic but I still have a ways to go... I think I'll pass on the mechanical arms on this one.

[Mime]

if i had my digicam with me i would take a pic of my own skinny chest but im at my parents home for summer and forgot it at my apartment
and im not really sure my skinny chest is handsome

[extension13]

I think it's looking much better, esp. the line along the side of the jaw where you softened that hightlight... looks much more natural. Well done.