Painting Cover Help

[azjohnl]

Could definately use some help on this from any of the painters. Having trouble making this come together. Any help appreciated.

http://animatedguy.com/2dimages/NotReady/test1%20copy.jpg

[johanson]

Ambitious. What you’re going to have to do, is pick what is most important in the image. I’m guessing that would be the main figure in the foreground. Use contrast and color to visually make him the most important thing. You want the viewer’s eye to go to him first, and be allowed to stay there for a little bit. The background has to stay interesting, but can’t compete too much with your main focus. Maybe try thinking of those other images as a supporting pattern to the main guy. I’m really looking forward to seeing more.

later,

-andrew

[azjohnl]

Thanks for the help, any ideas on how to make him i guess stand out a bit more, its about this part of the project where i have trouble pushing the piece.
I have a while yet though to work on it so will keep playing with it and pushing it further.
Thanks again!
Any others comments and crits and suggestions very welcome!

[johanson]

I’m glad that I could be of some help. And let me say, that I was shocked that this image had been sitting on the forum for a week with no response. It’s a fun piece, I guess it just fell through the cracks. Suck.

I hope that you don’t mind, but I grabbed your image and dropped it in Photoshop to show you what I was talking about (Before on right, after on left). All I did was select out the figure and tweak the levels. Now the lightest-light is on the main figure, so he jumps forward. It's one solution.

later,

-andrew

http://www.andrewjohanson.com/images/coverpaintover.jpg

[azjohnl]

lol, yeah i was thinking, wow, people must be really frightened to say anything good or bad here!
cool, i will try that direction then, i will post the progress in a few days. Thanks again! :D

[sea minus]

azjohnl, nice work. this image has a lot going on in it. it would be tough for anyone. I think johanson's advice is right on. You might even take it further than he sugested. My 2 cents are less helpful than his I think because I'm picturing a change that isn't worth the work... but next time it may be something to consider.

I tend to create symetrical, static images so it's funny that I'm telling you this, but anyway. I think the whole thing would be more interesting if the armour dude was standing in a more dynamic position. That doesn't mean that he should look like spiderman with one leg over his head, just turn him a bit to one site so he isn't standing straight at the viewer, the same one both sides of his body.

Also, I just thought of this, have a look at el coro's site, if you haven't already, six time today. he often does pictures that are composites of several differant images. and he's fuking awsome. happy trails.

[azjohnl]

thanks, yeah i should have maybe positioned him better, i had a good reference pic though. I will take a look and see what el coro has done in his images. yeah it is an awful lot to take on but seems to be what the writer and publisher for the adventure wanted and i have never attempted anything along these lines so i guess i am learning as i go :-)

[azjohnl]

Still a WIP but progress and improvement i think. Might step away from it a few days and approach it with a fresh perspective. Any other comments welcome!

http://animatedguy.com/2dimages/NotReady/test2.jpg

[Sularia]

Just me, but I think his torso looks long. I know it isn't really, it's just because the 'pants' part of his armor is riding low on his hips, but I think because of that it gives an enlongated illusion to his waist area.

Also, just a question about the holster... is that something the character carries in the book? If not, it looks a bit old west compared to the rest of his body armor and the gun. It just made me curious.

[Ninja_man]

Nice Work!:D It is far better than anything I'm currently capable of making, but there is one thing that really jumped out at me: The arms. I was thinking you should make the arms a little lower an more relaxed becuase right now it looks like he is all huddled up trying to block out the cold or something.

But, that's just me and i might just be
wierd! :D :alien5: :conehead;

[azjohnl]

Hi guys thanks for the feedback, You have both brought up good points. I have fixed the legs i think by moving his waist up a bit.
Yeah the arms were starting to bother me too and could definately use a fixing.I think maybe they need to come out more in front of him a bit.
Oh also the holster is I believe sort of a quirk of the character portrayed in the post holocaust rpg adventure its for.

Here is the leg fix at least:


http://animatedguy.com/2dimages/NotReady/test3.jpg

[DragonGX]

MY only crits are to practice your anatomy.. IT isn't horribly bad, but it could definately improve. I'm not saying not to do huge pieces like this anymore, but I would spend some time doing figure drawings only.. don't worry about colors, just draw to get correct proportions..