[legolas]

Hi all,

Maybe you uys are sick of LOTR or at least gandalf. But I got inspired by the recent LOTr threats and wanted to do a charcter with lots of expression but not gandalf because everyone does him.

I'm a newbe, this is my second digital painting... I'm awefully proud but I know I got a lot to learn, so please... send me feed-back and crits, what can I improve?
To much highlights? To flat, to much strokes, please help me improve.

[ October 01, 2002: Message edited by: legolas ]

[Snorkles]

Thats very good for a second try at digital painting. However, i think it would look even better if you take some time to clean it up, meaning using the smudge tool to smoothen the surface. Smudge both vertically and horisontially to get an extra smooth surface.

One other thing. Gimli's left eye should be darker than his right.
Other than that, really good.

[Rinaldo]

whatever you do don't smudge it! lol. the texture works nicely.
he is looking a bit crosseyed and the eye anatomy could be better. but it's a great pic considering you are new to this.
you could have some larger areas of not so scribbly strokes. but don't smudge it, just paint with a bigger brush where you want it to be smoother.

[Merystic]

Howdy!
I just finished reading LOTR and so I never tire of seeing related artwork (though I have not yet seen the movie). I can tell you have a very good sense of light and value in both pictures, and for the Gimli pic I agree with the first commentor in that all it lacks is softer edged brush in places, though that may just be a matter of style.
(I'm not by any means a digital art expert so take my comments with a grain of salt, they are just suggestions.) The second pic you did a good job making the colors blend more smoothly, so good job there, and I think the only real issue after that is actual anatomy of the face (i.e., the eyes are a bit close together, the nose a bit large etc etc). All I can suggest is to get reference pics, paint from life, or just find some links online (I think Loomis is a good one) and refine the face a little. The hair was well done imo. Perhaps one of the more credible digital artists on this forum would be willing to do an overpaint...
Anyway, I think you did a very awesome job, especially for this being the early stages! You have many strong points especially in lighting, so keep it up...I look forward to seeing more art from you.

[legolas]

Thanks for the feed-back, I'm learning
Got some questions too, do you guys really start with drawing an egg shape, devide that in 2 to place the eyes and that sort of stuff? Does anyone know a good site for learning the basics of drwaing portraits? Maybe some drawing classes, use of brushes?
I got photoshop 7 but I didn't use the duynamic brush options, is painter really way better?

Please help me improve.

Thanks,
Johannes

[Godwin]

the second one, the left side of the face is messed

[legolas]

Got a new one, Mordor!
Experiment with the smudge tool.

Please, give me feed-back, how can I improve?

[Max]

Hey, I think you already improved!!
I like it.


But I think some parts could be better.
Quick paintover to show you what I mean.

Dark surroundings
Bright middle.



But that's just my opinion.
Take it easy!