Drakus pic

Seeker

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 465
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 1.934

Fire Mage

Drakus pic

« on: 05 May 2009, 11:09:57 »

Alright here is my rendition of Drakus. Let me know what you think.


« Last Edit: 16 May 2009, 21:31:09 by Artimidor Federkiel »	Logged

Every entry deserves a picture. -Seeker

Sivartius

Aspiring Member

Gained Aura: 10
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 214

JOAT Extrodinaire

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #1 on: 05 May 2009, 11:29:04 »

Very impressive. One question, is this a mid-life portrait, (living in the college, addicted but hasn't realized how far, powerful, dark, and sinister,) or later-life, (self-exile having realized the enormity of what he's done, a true vampire)? The setting looks later-life, a throne, a dark castle, etc. but the man looks mid-life, no super costly clothes, and his face looks arrogant, but not yet haunted by what he has done? I would hate to be a critic, that most hated form of life, I was just curious. Something that causes self-exile and a complete withdrawl from society would leave lines, some kind of emotional scars.


	Logged

"You, betrayed by Time and Space,
Born without your proper grace...
To a world befouled and base,
Feel you proper form and case,
Recognize your homeland's face.
Cross the Void of Time and Space!
Seek and Find your proper place!"
-Christopher Stasheef, "Her Majesty's Wizard"

Valan Nonesuch

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 113
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 1.507

Like a pudding bag full of knives

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #2 on: 05 May 2009, 11:53:55 »

The clothing sort of loses definition around the waist so that the lower section of the robe looks... flat. The goblet looks awkward somehow. I think it's the way he's holding it that bothers me and the fact that it seems to be floating and missing a shadow, and there's something about the fingers bothering me but I couldn't tell you what. The carving on the top left could use something more than a suggestion of being there (it seems to me that the light difference shouldn't mask the detail that much, but I've been wrong)
The detail on the disc behind his head I like. It looks like a map of the world, sort of suggestive there (not having read anything about him). The face and the jewelry are excellent, particularly the suggestion of detail on the rings. He looks like he's not only on death's doorstep, but being welcomed in and having his hat taken from him, to paraphrase Terry Pratchett.
Whole thing reminds me very strongly of Elizabeth Báthory, or the old school Dracula (well dressed but not opulent, paling and all that.)


« Last Edit: 05 May 2009, 12:00:13 by Valan »	Logged

Beyond the horizon where the earth and the heavens meet
lies a certain point where they are not joined together and where, by stooping,
one might pass under the roof of the heavens.

Seeker

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 465
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 1.934

Fire Mage

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #3 on: 05 May 2009, 12:26:49 »

This is a pic of him later in life. " Aged 45, but not looking a day over 20".

I agree the goblet looks awkward somehow. I will do some measurements.


	Logged

Every entry deserves a picture. -Seeker

Artimidor Federkiel

Administrator

Gained Aura: 538
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 23.091

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #4 on: 06 May 2009, 03:51:29 »

Very cool picture once again, Seeker! grin

A few things have been pointed out already, so there's room for some adjustment, but basically it's very well done - hope Deci is fine with the representation of the character. I like these details you've put in there, like the goblet, which is really a nice piece in itself. Or the chair and the details on top of it. The map in the background looks to me like that supercontinent on Earth that existed before it split, so I assume you took that from a reference. Not so much a problem for me, though, it could as well have been the Caelerethian supercontinent, though that one probably looked slightly different.

Anyway, pictures is lovely, I like it! thumbup


	Logged

"Between the mind that plans and the hands that build there must be a mediator, and this must be the heart." -- Maria (Metropolis)

Seeker

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 465
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 1.934

Fire Mage

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #5 on: 06 May 2009, 04:57:25 »

Can someone help Art out with the map? What is it? Prize goes to the first to respond with the correct answer.


	Logged

Every entry deserves a picture. -Seeker

Valan Nonesuch

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 113
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 1.507

Like a pudding bag full of knives

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #6 on: 06 May 2009, 05:00:09 »

I think it might be Nybelmar


	Logged

Beyond the horizon where the earth and the heavens meet
lies a certain point where they are not joined together and where, by stooping,
one might pass under the roof of the heavens.

Artimidor Federkiel

Administrator

Gained Aura: 538
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 23.091

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #7 on: 06 May 2009, 05:00:33 »

It's actually very obvious, Seeker, though Valan just beat me to it posting ti here... Just realized it! Nice idea! thumbup


	Logged

"Between the mind that plans and the hands that build there must be a mediator, and this must be the heart." -- Maria (Metropolis)

Seeker

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 465
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 1.934

Fire Mage

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #8 on: 06 May 2009, 05:36:37 »

Well that was quick. Very obvious indeed azn

. Valan you win! Congratulations thumbup


	Logged

Every entry deserves a picture. -Seeker

Decipher Ziron

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 55
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 2.574

General Genius of Remarkable Modesty

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #9 on: 06 May 2009, 05:44:52 »

Wow!

Thanks Seeker, I like this alot!

While I like it the way it is there are a few things I wouldn't mind pointing out:

-His lips could be a bit more of a richer red, as detailed in the description

-I pictured his eyes greyer, while they are if you zoom in, the other colours make it look almost yellow to me from a distance. A more silvery hue should get the effect, is that possible?

- Could the colour of the khaki parts of his clothing be lightened. While I had whitish grey in mind for what he would usually wear, I dont know if that would work. But I think the white/whiter colour would heighten the whole 'darkly elegant' aura he's supposed to have. Would that be too much trouble?

Otherwise Seeker, a fine depiction!

Well Done!


	Logged

Laugh ,and the World Laughs with you.

Weep, and you weep alone.

Seeker

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 465
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 1.934

Fire Mage

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #10 on: 06 May 2009, 05:55:46 »

So far all these changes can easily be done.


	Logged

Every entry deserves a picture. -Seeker

Decipher Ziron

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 55
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 2.574

General Genius of Remarkable Modesty

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #11 on: 06 May 2009, 06:00:58 »

Good to hear!


	Logged

Laugh ,and the World Laughs with you.

Weep, and you weep alone.

Alysse the Likely

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 69
Offline

Offline

Gender: Female

Posts: 2.086

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #12 on: 06 May 2009, 08:52:17 »

Well done, Seeker!

I do have one tiny quibble. I know he's not supposed to look old, but his skin just looks too soft and smooth to me. Perhaps you can give it a coarser texture somehow? His eyes are good--they look "experienced", but his skin looks "baby bottom" soft.

Besides that, it's another good work! thumbup

Alysse


	Logged

Alysse the Likely

Bard Judith

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 365
Offline

Offline

Gender: Female

Posts: 7.650

Dwarvenmistress

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #13 on: 06 May 2009, 09:02:44 »

Bravo! A very strong characterization. I love the colour choices, the pose, and the detail on things like the goblet and jewelry.

One issue that I find in a number of your pictures so far - and you can regard this as personal preference if you like - is the lack of texture to surfaces. They all have the same 'smooth' surface that gives them a plasticky, unfinished feel. Why not try adding long thin lines to your wood to give it that woodgrain feel - a tiny 'grain' or dot filter over your flesh areas to give them depth and translucency - layers of cross-hatching on fabric to simulate a weave - and so on?

I really think concentrating on texture would take your pictures to the next professional level and give them a 'finish' - quite literally - that would create a striking effect. Again, my opinion, but I see so many strengths in your ability to create light and shadow, perspective, anatomy, and the rest, that to me the lack of texture stands out as the 'area to work on' to really make this, and other illustrations, pop!

Congrats on a great character portrait, and on achieving masterwork status so rapidly!

Regards from the Bard,
Judith


	Logged

"Give me a land of boughs in leaf / a land of trees that stand; / where trees are fallen there is grief; / I love no leafless land." --A.E. Housman

Seeker

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 465
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 1.934

Fire Mage

Re: Drakus pic

« Reply #14 on: 06 May 2009, 11:30:29 »

As usual the community is right. I haven't addressed all of Valan's comments yet (still trying to figure out what to do veryconfused

) But I hit on most of the others .... And I am learning. So this is good.

Keep the comments coming. I'll let you know when I give in.


	Logged

Every entry deserves a picture. -Seeker

Pages: [1] 2

Santharian Development

Forum

Santharian World Development

Santharian Artists Workshop and Resources (Moderators: Artimidor Federkiel, Ta`lia of the Seven Jewels)

Drakus pic