Demi-God (Sun)

[Batteram]

http://www.imagemagician.com/images/batter/DemiGodxCharacter.conceptx.jpg


Here is a concept I have just done of a demi-god. I have also posted the preliminray sketch I did before I coloured him in. He is meant to be an asian god of the sun. The hands and feet are a bit big but he is a god isn't he? ;)
I think I went over the top with the details but I'll just tell you that no photorealistic textures were used. The fire coming out of his head is meant to resemble a tree, sort of like the 'Tree of Life' of the Night elves in Warcraft3.
Now, in terms of the background I was thinking of adding maybe a blue background sort of like it is painted on roughly like frank frazetta, and adding just a few silhouttes of some asian mountains in the background
or
Another background alternative I was thinking about is having maybe just 1-3 clouds in the background behind his head, but they would look more like sculptures of asian clouds rather than detailed ones...
I would like some advice on whether I should put a background there or not and if so, what sort?

Oh yeah, I also want to know whether anyone knows if there is a tool in painter classic that is like the dodge and burn tool in photoshop. Is there one? I used photoshop and painted to do this concept but I only used painter to do the bits of wool, feathers, etc draped around his armour.
Anywayz, enjoy and advice on the background would be helpful too...
I will also post a higher res version on request, that is, if anyone wants to see it...

[GumbyDeen]

Batteram, he is VERY cool. Excellent. And I think a background would only make it better.

One idea for a background is a whatsum, mandala, asian wheel motif. As detailed as the demi-god but maybe not as dynamic/contrasty. Use it to frame him from the thighs or so up and do your blue idea within the mandala.

Or if you want a scenic background, you could place him standing amid some Chinese-y mountains, but have him as tall as the mountains with fog wrappnig around his feet and little Chinese caravans climbing the mountains like in the classic paintings.

Just a couple ideas. Even if you leave him as is, he's incredibly cool and well-done. Thank you for sharing.

David

[tyboogie]

nice man-- its good to see artists using the cultures around them instead of making everything up. One thing-From the waist up its pretty straight forward--but below the knees we have spikes and it has a different feeling to it. when i first looked at the peice this contrast was a little wierd but its minimal. i think the purplishgray armor is beautiful- im just not sure that the relationship with the orange armor is working, but maybe its just me. Its almost like hes wearing two different culture's armors ( purplegray and orange) if we could see that purplish gray armor around his ankles and on his mask or head (for examp) i think it would incorporate better. think the mountains as a background are a great idea--and i really like the giant idea too posted above. keep up the great work.

[Lono]

Hey batteram! this is the coolest thing ive seen from you yet.

good work.

-Lono

[Darrell Bowman]

Great work,

reminds me of a date i had once.
giggles

super job.

[GriNGo]

well, i cant say anything bad from it :) its just awesome. for background I suggest what tyboogie is telling.. maybe my only complaint for this artwork (without background) is that the demi-god's shadow sucks!.. its just a stain on the floor me, i think you should make it more realistic.

well, those were my 2 cents.

later,
GriNGoLoCo

[Batteram]

GumbyDeen: Thanks Gumby. I also gave the mandala a rough go but when I put it into the character it just didn't look right so I did the mountains instead.

tyboogie: Thx boogie. I see what you mean in terms of the armour but to be honest I just can't be buggered :)

Lono: Hey Lono! thx bro...

Darrel Bowman: Thx Darrell, heh, i know what you mean :)

Gringoloco: Thx grin. Heh, I know the shadow silhhouute below him is lame but anywayz, the main focus is meant to be on the character. I also touched it up his shadow a bit here, nothing special though...

http://www.imagemagician.com/images/batter/demigodfinalwithbg.jpg

http://www.imagemagician.com/images/batter/mountainxsketchxcopy.jpg


Ok, I gave the background a shot. I was going for a washed out look but decided that it just didn't suit the concept so I obviously made the background just as detailed as the character. I have also posted the background before I made it a background for the character.
To me, it now seems kind of cluttered, but I'll let you guys be the judge...
Anywayz, does the new background suit it or not?

[tyboogie]

ok im back-cant help it -- i have an armor fetish and i want to see where you take this. My advice would be to give it a cool background that covers more space behind the character. it doesnt have to be the entire background but as it is there is way to much white as neg space--maybe even changing the white to a cooler color would help. you could always do some really quick color studies by throwing in diff color backgrounds just to see how it effects the figure and the peice as a whole. ty

[amphex]

I love the character =) That guy is awesome..great detail.
Im liking the background alot too..but maybe somehow give him more contrast from it?