Really frustrated with this tree

[MindCandyMan]

Hey everyone I am trying to paint this tree ent and I am having the worst time with it. I am an extreme rookie in painting and if you guys could help me I would greatly appreciate it. What can I do to render this properly?

What can I do to make this look more realistic...it looks so stupid right now.

http://www.phantomarts.co.uk/freeimagehosting/Tree Ent preview 3.jpg

[jester]

Hi MindCandyMan - this is a great underpainting! Get some references and decide where the light comes from. Then work out the structure and the highlights.

That grass/moss piece at the foot is great!

Jester

edit: Just thought I might as well provide you with some of my reference photos... I did these this summer in a nearby park:

http://www.jester.de/gallery/photo/tree001.JPG

http://www.jester.de/gallery/photo/tree002.JPG

http://www.jester.de/gallery/photo/tree003.JPG

http://www.jester.de/gallery/photo/tree004.JPG

[MindCandyMan]

jester!!!!!!! These are really awesome. I was looking for reference photos like these but I couldn't find them anywhere! These are great...this will definitely help out a lot. Thanks bro! These are great!

[jester]

MCM - you're welcome! :D Actually I've got hundreds of photos I took since the end of the eighties... I should start and scan and file them all and... use them myself :rolleyes:

Looking forward to the finished piece. Forgot to say, that rock in the foreground looks very 3d!

Jester

[ODIN SIX]

First rule:::

Always have referance when painting,, or you will never get it
right..
Never forget that.... Even the Experts use them....:cool:

I like it ... it could turn out really nice.. I got a trent painting
I started right sfter i got my WACOM..... Never finished it.....:(