As per Android's suggestion.... <UPDATED!>

[Muttonhead]

I posted a series of sketches in the sketches section and asked which ones I should turn into finished pieces.

A few people suggested I do this one and since I figured it would take the last amount of time, it would be a good one to start with.

Anyways, I do not think it is quite done, but I wanted to get some feedback from you guys first. First is the image, and then the sketch it was based on....

http://www.cybermurray.com/EnergyMan.jpg

http://www.cybermurray.com/EnergyMansketch.jpg

Thanks,

Muttonhead

[wronghand]

That's an eye catching image(the finished art), very good vibrant colors, interesting content. I'm guessing(i'm not really the target audience) a very good piece for the type of work your trying to create.

Having said that,

Purely based on my artistic sensibilities, the sketch is immensly superior.
Much more fluid lines and forms. More energy and creativity. The features of the
creature are more interesting and the proportions of the figure and relationship to
the composition more effective.
Dynamic line quality(interesting texture) and great tonal control.
To me a very convincing image.

But that's not to say that I don't like the finished as well.
I guess it's all relative.

W. Hand

[William b. Hand]

Hmm... ya know, I think I like the original sketch better than the finished piece. There's so much texture and self-assured line, and the shapes themselves are more interesting than in the final (e.g. the circle/scissor, the shoulder guard, or the arm blade).

I would suggest messing around with your original drawing a little more closely... that is, I think if you enlarged the sketch and worked directly OVER it and allowed some of the great lines and textures that you already achieved to remain (or bleed through) that you'll end up with a finished piece that has a lot more power and interest.

That said, I think you're doing well with the skin textures and backlit blue... describing the form pretty well. The arm and elbow mechanism are looking particularly good, and the hand/energy coming out of his stomach looks great! The looseness in that area really seems confident.

(Now, that's REALLY weird that a "whand" was busy posting the same sentiments at the very same time as me!)

[Irate Customer]

For some reason the sketch reminds me of the movie Beetlejuice. I love the texture in the pencil strokes. I know this is about the finished piece, but I can't get past the sketch for some reason. Very cool style.

Irate

[Teknoholic]

The only way to say it is that somewhere between the sketch and the finished piece is that you LOST THE FUNK. I don't even know what that means. I'd rather see the sketch huge, it has so much cool surface, where the finished one looks a lot like cheesy 80s airbrushy stuff, all smoothy surfaces and none of that nice jaggy lines from the sketch and while i'm at it why don't i make this a huge run-on sentence. The colors in the new one just aren't interesting and they don't interact with one another, which totallly screws the composition. *weep*

[Muttonhead]

Hehe. Funny, you have all basically said the same thing.

WBHand - I actually did do that, but perhaps I over painted so much I lost the original flavor of the drawing.

I think what I am going to do is re-do the symbols/objects by drawing them separately in pencil and then doing some subtle coloring on them.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will post an update soon.

-Muttonhead

[Muttonhead]

Tried to stick to the sketch as much as possible this time, even letting it show through... Tell me what you think of it now!

http://www.cybermurray.com/EnergyMan2.jpg

-Muttonhead

[marc_taro]

IMO, that is a LOT better...I still like the sketch myself - you've got a great drawing style - but between the two paintings the second is superor.

The flesh on his belly seems stretchy-er ...I can feel the gut busting energy...and less color is better...desaturation=art!

~tarosan

[Kortez]

I like the newest one the best out of the three.

Very good stuff.

Way to go... taking the crits and working it into a great piece :)

[Sammy]

It's an improvement... but I still just love that sketch... it's confodent and has soul...

You' have wonderfull strokes, you should let them show.. be a little looser on the final, seems like you may be focusing too hard... I understand how it can be when a piece is being produced strictly for a 'folio.

Think of it like a girl you wanna date... if you try too hard she's gonna run away... but if you show your confidence and be a little sure of yourself (the sketch) you stand a much better chance..

Thus far you've treated the 'folio final like a really really intimidating HOT chick with an overbearing father (You're scared as all hell!)... and the sketch like a girl that's... well... I'll just say that you aren't attracted to her (so you're yourself)...

In the final lets see that amasing artistic stroke you have

[William b. Hand]

HUGELY improved!
Good jorb Muttonhead, you did it!
:chug:
(Although I still prefer the blade shape on the orig. sketch:D )

[bwkeough]

sean,

I also like the update best. I think it might be my favorite of what you've posted here. It carries the idea of the sketch further and the painting feels more natural, more believable if you will. The previous painting kind of ran away with itself, feeling kind of forced.

rockin' stuff, but, um...what the heck is he doing to himself?

You should keep doing what you're doing, but I think Mr. Alien needs a cold shower.

[Wetterschneider]

Yep, the second one is far nicer than the first, but still hasn't kept the animation of the sketch. No prob, though, Muttonhead, it's a common hangup for a lot of us. I think the blue rim light needs to be not quite so bright, or maybe even modified to appear as though it's the blade hand that is doing the illuminating/reflecting. There's also a noticable lack of tension in the blade arm or any of the character's muscles/tendons - the action looks like it should be requiring a lot more straining vein popping stress. I like the paintings and the sketch, don't get me wrong, just some crits.

S