druid on a reindeer

[littlejohn]

I'm doing a cover for a free RPG .pdf supplement. It's due on the 8th and I thought I'd post my progress here. Any comments and suggestions would be much appreciated.

The concept is a druid riding a reindeer in the snow. Here's the sketch:

http://www.davidhendee.com/images/asgard8_cover_thumbnail.jpg

Thanks!

[coylo]

An unusual title for a post, I just had to check it out. I think we all need more info on the project to possibly make a helpful comment, cus' I'm a bit lost here. Can a reindeer actually support a Humans weight? and did people actually ride on reindeers backs way back in the Druid era.?

You should check out an animal that is now extinct, called the Irish elk, the antlers on this beast were huge, I just think it would be a bit more extravagant and muscular than a reindeer.

[jester]

Watch out for the perspective of the antlers!

Jester

[Fipse]

Hm, htis seems to be the biggest reindeer I´ve ever seen - or the smallest druid ;).

Afaik the shoulder height of a reindeer is about 1,3 - 1,4 m - unlike the Karibou.

Hope some biology could help you ...

Fipse

[littlejohn]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I do want a little guy perched on top of a big critter, so the caribou/Irish elk suggestions were most welcome. I think I'm getting pointed in the right direction.

Here are a couple sketches for reference (from photos) and a little development of the idea.

Thanks again. Next up, some color studies?

http://www.davidhendee.com/images/asgard8_cover_sketch01.jpg

http://www.davidhendee.com/images/asgard8_cover_sketch02.jpg

http://www.davidhendee.com/images/asgard8_cover_sketch03.jpg

[jester]

Looks good, very "tribal". I don't know why (because such a scene never occurs in the books) but it somehow reminds me of Binabik in Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn - do you know the books?

Jester

[littlejohn]

jester: I'm not familiar with those books; I'll check 'em out. I'm reading Gene Wolfe's New Sun series right now.

I am still working on this. It's not going too great. I think I'm going to restart it. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

http://www.davidhendee.com/images/asgard08_cover_small_old.jpg

[I.was.ink]

I would restart and work on that composition you have in the third pic. Bottom left. I just don't like the idea of the devil guy. But nice drawings andnice comp.:)

[littlejohn]

iwasink: I took your advice.

Here is what I ended up submitting. I comped the logo in. Not as polished as I wanted, but much more dynamic than the other one. Thanks for the advice, everyone.

http://www.davidhendee.com/images/asgard08_cover_small.jpg

[jester]

This really looks great - and thanks a lot for letting us participate in your process of developing the final piece. Checked out Tad Williams yet? (I don't know Gene Wolf but will check that out, too!)

Jester

[I.was.ink]

there you go, that one looks a lot better. Although now that you put that mask in. It seems to not have much to do with the overall mood of the pic and comp. It seems like an after thought. I love everything else, i'd take out the letters if I were you. Don't know if they're necessary or not. One other thing, I'd add is a bit more texture, higlights or something like that to the snow behind the reindeer, it would help it out because the snow looks a tad bit on the flat side. Its not that its bad, but it would help it out.

good job:)

[Coma]

I've drawn a lot of people riding deer and elk I always liked the beasts more than horses because they some how seem more connected to their rider :)

Nice work sir.