Thank you!

I changed the pic a bit here and there and fixed the weird greenish beach tint (didn't even notice it before, thank for pointing it out ). Also added a small crab-like creature - If there is a description of any crab or something similar, let me know, so I can chang the picture accordingly!

Here is the new version:

Ok, here is the revised version (it's good to have a day off work to be able to work on pictures ):

I changed the skintone and haircolor to suit the typical rather then the exceptional Gondolwain. The haircut is also different, long hair, style is inspired by the waterfalls intertwining eachother, hope it shows
The dress is now glowing also as it should, and is brighter and more white.

What do you think? Anything else I can change or add to make it more recognisably Gondolwain?

Sorry all, I wasn't clear due to mu frustration of not getting where I wanted to Thank you for quick helpful responses!

I'll change the first picture then, make the skin and haircolor darker, change the dress as described and see what we have. Will post the updated version as soon as I have it!

After 3 evenings of sketching, I'm still getting nowhere. I need some inspiration or a starting point for the picture. Reading the Gondolwain entry wasn't much help unfortunately, I'd need a setting a scenario. An activity or motive for the depicted person to be there would be helpful also, otherwise I'll come something not fitting and get critiqued for it, which is counterproductive. Coren - can you come up with something?

picture 1 was done in photoshop, but picture 2 was done in Artrage first, then resized and refined in photoshop. I wish there was one perfect application, but both have some appealing features - photoshop has the brush selection and filters, artrage the excellent ease of use and reference image implmentation. There is a problem with artrage however - drawing on a canvas that is zoomed out is not a good idea - the brush strokes are made and smoothed on monitor pixel basis, so when you then zoom back in you see jagged edges

I have no knowledge of the content, so cannot comment on it, I will just say that I like this a lot! The overall mood is cheerful, the dogs are perfect - they have palpable energy in them, I can almost feel their eagerness to run! The guy also has a cheerful demeanor, but is definitely more controlled and wise. He is their master, other more complex thoughts occupy his mind clearly. Excellent feel allround The composition is also good and balanced.

Now, if I may suggest aa few minor ways to improve this work: The light - being a strong backlight and only (?) or main light source, I would keep all the colors tinted to fit the moon's color. This can be done by tweaking the colors or using an overlay/multiply layer on the man alone (the rest of the picture is fine already). Just think of it as his base colors and add blue to them. Do not be afraid of the result becoming purples, greys and greens!
Second - try experimenting with a bright, strong outline around the man's form, down to about halfway his boots (his feet being in the shadows of the hills in the background maybe).
Third - the hills in the back - the further back something is, the more diffuse, less saturated and lower contrast it should be - right now the furtherst hilltop is too dark and should be toned down considerably.

I hope these help, and have to say I enjoyed this picture a lot already!

First of all - thank you all for encouraging comments and the praise, it does make a difference, trust me! Hugs all around!

Second: These 2 pictures are for my satisfaction primary, that is I put down what I had in my head for a whiel, and in a way that suited me. BUT, the intention is to make a portrait that depicts the tribe, not one the tribe entry need to be fitted to. I am glad these serve as a start to talk about the finished picture, the needn't be the final product

Third: thank you for understanding Coren, it's exactly wwhat I like best - uncluttered and focused work, and will keep to this style as much as I'm able. I also appreciate you (and others) being inspired by the pictures to see the possible stories behind them!

Fourth: all that sid, after reading your comments I'm thinking of a different approach, namely something like this:

setting is a dark evening / pre-dawn maybe. A Gondolwain female is descending a pathway of tiny waterfalls, making her way down a slope, using the light off her robe/dress/clothing as guide. Perhaps also some other prop can be added (I have to read about those lanterns...). his would make it an interesting light source and show the use of this special fabric as well.

What do you think? I'll try to make a quick sketch to show what I mean, I can already see her pose in my head

P.S. @Art - I believe the Fu portrait has been solved - it's a mystery how the attached full res picture I sent 2 years ago was not received properly by him, but it seems it is now

Hi all,

Best wishes for 2011!

I've been working on this one for a while now, and finally got something worthwile down on virtual paper. It's supposed to be a full body portrait.
The clothing, hairdo and jewelry are sketchy at the moment. Nothing is really final, so I'm waiting for comments
Here are two versions I have:

Thank you all!! If I was born a long time ago I might have become the court jester that dabbles in paint
@Art - by "full version" do you mean a full body portrait? Yes, it's coming. Also - do you need me to email you (and Coren?) full resolution version of this portrait?

Ok, I've finished it:

You've most welcome! I'm truly happy you like the portrait.

How about this? Made it sharper as well. The second one has slightly darker skin tone - pick one you like more

 
Ok, let's try this. I have considered all your comments, and have 2 new variations (only the eyes differ). I thought the fabric of V2 looked more loose and soft then the V1, so I tried a half way between the two. The background is back to white washed wall, and the skin is darker, the pose is much more like in V1 as well.
Let us see what you think of this first and which you prefer (a or b)?

I do not see any attachments though... 

Thank you! I've been studying more lately, that is training by sketching from screengrabs from tv. I think it helps, and would recommend the excersise to anyone wanting to get better at drawing. Try keeping every sketch under 1,5 hour or so, maybe less to force yourself to see what matters and what can be sketched.