Chitinoid centaur (update 2)

[Prometheus|ANJ]

This was gonna be for tdome at first but it doesn't look 'built' so I think I won't use it.

It's a chitinoid centaur. I did one before with acrylics.
pic (http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/tdome/gammelfarfar_c2.jpg)

It's hard to be honest with the shapes when you do fine details, especially when you start with them. If I start rough I'm sometimes unable to add details, dunno why. It's working pretty well to add some very rough colors, then the details and lastly some 'washes' to darken, lighten and simplify.

I made the big mantis claw arm dark cuz I felt it had to be separated from the body. Mid part of it is still uncolored. I started with a small pencil thumbnail, hence the rough grainy lines.

Any thoughts? Too messy? Yes, it's holding a doublehanded sword.


http://home.swipnet.se/zebes/tdome/tdome10c.jpg

[daarken]

dude, thats awesome! you need to finish it! i really like the little claw arms and the tail.

[Fozzybar]

You wanna my thoughts?

First: It is your best thunderdome creature yet! Much better than the first ones! Why didn't you use this one, i don't know...

Second: WTF - you are from the other side - DIEEEE! This creature sucks...;)

(ok...my real thought is the first...:))

[Prometheus|ANJ]

Worked some more on it.

Upper torso part is still rough. I might have to use reference for the hands. I want the face to be expressionless cuz it's a creature more than a man.

http://home.swipnet.se/zebes/tdome/tdome10d.jpg

Some crits:
-Does it really need a sword?
-The upper torso belly should be longer.
-The sword handle is odd, but I havent started working on that area yet.

[littlejohn]

Prometheus|ANJ: I've always really liked your work. And it's really cool to see some of your process revealed. Would you care to share any more tidbits about your technique?

I know you use Photoshop and I really like the gouache-y look. And I can catch a glimpse of some texture, transparency and maybe multiply (?) here and there. I'd love to hear about your brush set-up.

No crits. Shoot, if I looked down and saw that below my waist, I'd want a sword, too.

[Prometheus|ANJ]

littlejohn> I work with the paintbrush about size 30 or so on a 1500 pix wide image. No layers or fancy brush modes. I keep a finger on the alt key though, as that selects the colorpicker. Paintbrush opacity is 60% mostly. Sometimes I use the airbrush with a couple of my splotchy brushes (black blobs I scanned). I use PS 5.5, want 7. Got a Wacom A4.

One trick though, it to use a layer in multiply just when you start. I use this layer to give the scanned line art (small pencil thumbnail in this case) its average color (or base color), then I flatten before starting the actual painting process. It's good to have a rough idea about what colors the areas and shapes will have.

[reeves]

Good God! That's one bad mother f#@ker!

I have never posted aything on this forum [or any other for that matter], but I honestly could not stand here and watch you mess up one of my favorite posts to date.

If you want an honest opinion, I think it's fantastic. Everything about. Even the short torso that you seem to dislike. I think it gives it a very unique feel. I love it. Don't cange it.

But I do think that the sword should look more, what's the word, raw! I looks a bit too polished...don't you think?

Anyway, keep up the great work! I'm loving it.

Can't wait for the finished version.

[haiku]

Wow that's some awsome stuff. Can't wait to see it when it's done.

[littlejohn]

Thanks for the painting tips. And congrats on your 2nd place finish in Thunderdome.

[killing.people]

oh fuck dude, he looks soo hardcore .. he is swift justice.

he could get quit-abit of momentum with that sword and his snake-pimp torso!
.. and what i really really apreciate! really really really alot! is the posted sketch to painting in its raw state. i love being able to see how people construct stuff. i wish photoshop kept a history of what you did so i could watch it, that would be swift *adobe .. are you reading? photoshop 8 .. macros .. well talk later* thanks for sharing this. i always love how brave you are with you strokes .. it kinda pisses me off .. dick.

-killing.promethius

i dont know about the crap on his back.

[Prometheus|ANJ]

Sorry Reeves, changed the torso. Sword is too polished perhaps. Perhaps I should change its surface.

Killing> I might remove 2 of the back scythes, lower pair perhaps. Lemme see if I can dig up the sketch, it's really small and not much to see tho.
I should dare to use more saturated colors, cyan and magenta. Occasional saturated colors can sometimes add that magical shine that I can't do yet.

John, haiku> Thanks!

http://home.swipnet.se/zebes/tdome/tdome10e.jpg