[Misc]

I'm trying to make this sniper look like he just rose from his cover to get a clean shot. Any ideas on how to make the scene more dramatic, or what to put in the background (or anything else) would be greatly appreciated.

[jo]

If you are looking for a setting it's pretty easy to make one up when you have the main theme in place (sniper), and also what he's doing (rushed shot). Now all you need to do is build from there =

For setting:
Q: who is he shooting?

A: If "cow" is chosen, then [meadow] might be a good setting. If "president",
then a city where the president is attending [something] is a better
choice, if "opposing soldier", then [close to enemy camp] or
[city-in-ruins-from-war] might be preferable.

For drama there's a lot of different solutions, everything from camera-angles to surroundings play a part here. That's where the story comes into the image, and what you want to tell with it. For dramatic action, catching the right instance within/after an action might give the image some dynamic drama.. (samurai chopping heads etc) while showing the second before the action might bring the image some dramatic tension. (sniper before shot or similar)

happy hunting <3

[Misc]

Hehe, thanks for the reply, Jo.
Would have been nice to have a cow as the target!

Here's a small update, just made a bad looking stone something background. I'm not sure about how much detail I should put into the shadowed parts of his body

[aphelionart]

hehe hope you don't mind an overpaint... i left most of what you've done alone.. as far as detail, as long as you maintain the overall values... as long as your limit the values in those areas, you'd be surprised at how much detail/form you can achieve with just the slightest value changes... and then it's just considering how much light hits each plane.. anyways, i just wanted to put the dude in a lil scene for fun, kinda starship troopers-esque, i suppose?





-matt

[Misc]

Thanks for the inspiration aphelionart!
I like that background sure made the picture more alive. Thanks also for the advice, and for putting some ambient light reflections on the guy. I had forgotten how much that can do to a picture.

Update coming soon...

[Warhead82]

If you want to make it look like he came out of his whole or w.e Then, Make the whole, and grass kind of flying round him, in a proper way, and some on his head, clothing etc... It will give it a cool affect too.
_________________
When you look at a blank canvas or drawing paper, it stares you in the eyes and thinks it can beat you.~ Justin Beckett

[Misc]

Thanks for the comment, warhead. I think I'll stick to the desert theme for now though. Here's an update.

[dhood]

Pretty cool picture. Id throw some camo on him though.

[dhood]

I really thought your pic was cool so I did a quick paintover and tryed to add a little atmosphere. Tinkered with the lighting and gun too.
Ill delete it if you want.

[Greensun]

I like the pic in general, but the body of that soldier looks so bland!
_________________
Rabies up your bunghole

[stacy]

Story time!
Way back in high school, my best friend was named Elton Allen. He was in NRA in Washinginton and went to a lot of matches and usually won just about everything. Naturally we called him "Ethan" Allen. When he joined the Marines he became (you guessed it) a sniper. So... this is second-hand information, but I got it from a REAL crack shot. The whole point to learning to be a sniper is to get the perfect clear shot and NEVER be seen; coming or going! Just thought I'd toss that in sniper idea stuff mix.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, and back to your work. It's not a great painting, but it's a GOOD painting. I REALLY and truly like your palette. Very somber with a good range of hue and value with nothing being out of place or too much for the mood of the image. Your update is excellent. Redering it without lots of sparkle and highlights, I think, is perfect for a sniper. The smallest glint of a reflection is the last thing a sniper wants. Nice.

[Misc]

dhood: Thanks for the comments. I put some camo on his helmet Really like the overpaint! I'll consider putting some texture and clouds on the background.

Greensun: Yeah, I'll try to fix that later, thanks for the comment.

stacy: Thanks a lot! I'm quite a newbie when it comes to coloring, and I tend to put highlights and dark shadows on everything that I do, so I try to put a lot of effort into just that.

Todays update, small, but bigger..

[Immortal_Souls]

Not trying to sound straight out or anything but I think he needs more gadgets for a sniper. Like a pouch and a few other gadgets attached to his front body. eg. grenades, knife, bullet belt or whatever, just ideas... if you like the ones I just gave you you're more than welcome to add them.. or not
_________________
Why dont you clone yourself!
-- Why's that?--
So you can go and F*** yourself!!!
*Quote from Arnold Schwartzeneggars movie The 6th Day*

[Lurch]

"Snipers" don't generally carry grenades and such..

I would however at least put him in 6 pocket BDU style pants, maybe get him a tactical holseter on his thigh for a sidearm. Or if you want it more 'sniper'ish you could always put him in a ghillie suit

[stacy]

Well... whadda' ya' know 'bout that!!!
A kid that knows the proper way to spell ''ghillie''.
You're a rare bird.

[Misc]

Thanks for commenting!
I put some gadgets on his body + sidearm, and added some clouds. Trying to paint a ghillie suit would kill me, so I won't do that I don't have much spare time to draw right now but your comments and speedies helps me get motivated to finish the damn picture. Thanks!

[Immortal_Souls]

Looking much better already, not bad
_________________
Why dont you clone yourself!
-- Why's that?--
So you can go and F*** yourself!!!
*Quote from Arnold Schwartzeneggars movie The 6th Day*

[Feral]

Watch your anatomy, the right leg looks a little off.
I've done a quick over draw to show you what I mean.
You could just add a 'poncho' type garment instead of a ghillie suit.
That way you can have sand sliding off it to help give the feeling that he's just popped up.
Also give your gun some more weight, yours looks a little flat.
If you add a large sand ridge behind him, the line should work with the cloak for a strong dynamic line - leads the eye.
Hope this helps

Feral

[Misc]

Thanks Immortal

Feral: I'll change the right leg for sure, and I'll experiment with the other things you said. Great comment. Thanks a lot!

[Misc]

ok, here's an update.

[Misc]

Well, I guess this is as far as I will go. Many thanks to everyone who's been commenting and pushing me to keep developing this picture, you guys rocks!