Some Art

Well, I noticed another thread pointing out that the visual arts are drastically outnumbered by literature in the Mead Hall, and I thought I'd see what I could do to fix that.

I was listening to some songs from Conan the Barbarian* and got inspired:
https://img514.imageshack.us/img514/...rriorsmall.jpg

There's some things I'm not happy about (like the lack of shading) but I seem to be getting the hang of my wacom tablet.

EDIT: Constructive criticism is, of course, welcome and encouraged.

CR
*That soundtrack is simply amazing. I need to watch the movie again.

More! For a certain mafia game that's just started.
https://img49.imageshack.us/img49/69...tonfinalsm.jpg

CR

Just some feedback to help you:

Your characters seem only to have one expression.

Bwhaa...? A reply?!

Thanks! As for expressions...
In the second image I had hoped to show a look of determination in the second panel, changing to apprehension in the fourth panel. It's set in Capo III, right after the first town hall meeting/warning ends. Also I was attempting to go for realistic (toned down) expressions, thus the only slight raising of eyebrows and sideways glance in the fourth panel.

For the first image I didn't want to just have him stare off without an expression, so I did give him something similar to the second image's panel #2 for an expression. :sweatdrop:

But you're right, the first image does have my default expression. I think it fits the image, but if it's used in all of them, it does get to be overused.

CR

More, first from the end of Capo and then my thoughts on the NTW CA game:
(now with 200% more expressions!)
https://img16.imageshack.us/img16/69...updocsmall.jpg

https://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2371/twpunchessml.jpg

CR

I am strangely reminded of the rabbit guy thing from Donny Darko with that first one ~;)

Lol like the second. And it's a very good improvement over the previous two :2thumbsup: (of which your first post is actually pretty good imho :yes:

Yeah, I'm reminded of Donnie Darko too.

I'm glad you like the colored one. I think the colors worked well, but the lines aren't nearly as clean as in the other drawings.

CR

How are you doing these?

Very nice, Rabbit.

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Yeah, I'm reminded of Donnie Darko too.

I'm glad you like the colored one. I think the colors worked well, but the lines aren't nearly as clean as in the other drawings.

CR

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Inspiration maybe? :idea2:

*WARNING* Not the best art critique but I'll try haha :laugh4:
And the colors did and your lines do need some work. I was think they look a little too straight especially in the part where he has the bloody nose on the right.

And as for the rabbit picture, the gun barrel needs some more work. Where the ends of the barrels are is the part I am most talking about. The right one mimics the left and droops down a little which makes the gun as a whole look funny and a little confusing as to where he is actually aiming. Also, the barrels show too much of its interior. Ie. most of the bottom should not be visible from the angle you made the picture from. The end of the barrel basically needs a little more tweaking, good pic nonetheless :2thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Khan

How are you doing these?

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Wacom tablet and photoshop elements for the first two images and GIMP 2.6 for the last two.

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Very nice, Rabbit.

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Thanks!

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And the colors did and your lines do need some work. I was think they look a little too straight especially in the part where he has the bloody nose on the right.

And as for the rabbit picture, the gun barrel needs some more work. Where the ends of the barrels are is the part I am most talking about. The right one mimics the left and droops down a little which makes the gun as a whole look funny and a little confusing as to where he is actually aiming. Also, the barrels show too much of its interior. Ie. most of the bottom should not be visible from the angle you made the picture from. The end of the barrel basically needs a little more tweaking, good pic nonetheless

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Thanks for the critique. I agree about the gun barrel.

As for the straightness of the lines in the panel you mentioned; I did that intentionally. The idea with the eyebrows was to convey a serious lack of amusement with what had just happened.

EDIT: Oh, the inspiration for the rabbit came from Seamus Fermanagh's description of my character in the Capo di Tutti Capi III mafia game from the gameroom.

CR

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Thanks for the critique. I agree about the gun barrel.

As for the straightness of the lines in the panel you mentioned; I did that intentionally. The idea with the eyebrows was to convey a serious lack of amusement with what had just happened.

EDIT: Oh, the inspiration for the rabbit came from Seamus Fermanagh's description of my character in the Capo di Tutti Capi III mafia game from the gameroom.

CR

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Hey no problem :2thumbsup:

I see... just my opinion and preferences :yes:

And oh! Haha...

If you like, I can link you over to a really cool art forum that has people producing a TON of artwork. They have a lot of resources in various threads and sub-forums, ect. where you can help to improve your skill :2thumbsup:

I visit a lot myself because the info you can find is astounding! ~:eek:
Example

Ok, let me take another stab at some constructive critique.

Your drawings seem rather plain and dull. Don't take this the wrong way, nothing big is wrong with them but they don't have something convincing either. So how to remedy this:

- Always use references. You draw mostly from memory I believe. Go look for interesting photo's, poses, ... It 'll make your characters seem more natural, more alive. Notice the details and try to convey those to your drawing.

- Try to find your own style. There are no influences in your drawings. Try your hand at different styles (cartoon, Ligne-clair, ...) and see what suits you the best. Try to find something you do well that gives something extra to your drawings.

- Practise, practise, practise.

P.S. I f you're serious about drawing post some of your art at megatokyo art forum. They'll give a lot of good advice and maybe some homework if you're really serious.

Thanks for the continuing critique Phill.

Here's a new picture, spoiler-ed for size (1960x1080), for my upcoming mafia game:
I'm not happy with the expression or the shading on the face (I learned a bit about shading over the course of making this, and I colored the armored figure first)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

https://img190.imageshack.us/img190/...shadowfort.jpg

I'm probably most happy with the grass, rocks, and dirt path. In fact, I really like the grass; the end effect is quite serene, though that might have to do with how pleased I am with how it turned out.

CR

because my critique seems to be appreciated ...

First the good: the shading and texturing is quite good. You seem to be going for a semi-realistic look and you're pulling it off. I especially like shirt. The metal plates on the other hand are not so good. Check out this link for more help.

Now for the 'bad': I felt totally uninspired by that drawing. Don't take it the wrong way but a child would draw the exact same castle. I've said this before, get some references.
http://homepage.eircom.net/%257Eosrai/castle.jpg
http://www.music.ed.ac.uk/Research/i...ceuxCastle.jpg
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...castle-450.jpg

Take you're pick (these are all on the first page of a google image search), every one of these will make for a better drawing.

P.S. I really need to draw something to, so you can let me have it as well.

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First the good: the shading and texturing is quite good. You seem to be going for a semi-realistic look and you're pulling it off. I especially like shirt. The metal plates on the other hand are not so good.

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I'm glad you liked the shirt, and I agree about the metal plates. I'm happy the look - semi realism - is coming out well.

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Now for the 'bad': I felt totally uninspired by that drawing. Don't take it the wrong way but a child would draw the exact same castle. I've said this before, get some references.

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Indeed - in fact, I think I've drawn better castles as a child. It's flat and boring - no perspective, nothing that stands out.

In the next one of the series I'm going to be using a lot more perspective, though I don't know how much of the castle will be featured.

CR

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

... I'll use a reference next time ...

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Just believe me when I say that this will make you're drawings much better (if only you would).

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Originally Posted by Peasant Phill

Just believe me when I say that this will make you're drawings much better (if only you would).

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I know, I know. :shame:

I did kinda use pose references for this picture, again a large image to do with my mafia game (which you should all join in the game room!). I did use lots of clothing and armor references.

I like the metal and poses a lot better in this one:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

https://img683.imageshack.us/img683/...wfortressl.jpg

CR

There's nothing wrong with using references, the masters themselves used models for references and they really do help. Keep up the good work and practice : )