Need Your Help... Monster Painting

[feeb]

As you can see, he's very much in progress... still working out a lot of stuff.

I thought this beast would look nifty as though he were exposing his head out of shadow and into spot light... making his body invisible in the black background... but I thought it looked too static when I reached that point, and decided some very subtle backlighting to suggest his form would do nicely.

I'm still big on these ideas, but I'd love your input... what I'd like to hear most, is input on whether or not you think a hand (I sketched one in for reference) would be a good idea... if so, should it have a little more specularity, or kosher at present value? Is his overall color working (I'm one who always struggles with color)? I'd also love to hear any suggestions on backgrounds, or if you think it works how it is.

Basically, please tell me what potential you see. Criticism is welcome too... nip problems I'm developing in the bud! Thanks.

http://www.mikespencil.com/images/temp/051c.JPG

edit: I got some great advice from prom. Some of the fears I had were brought to light. For one, the entire image feels too dark (Sumaleth mentioned)... so true. Anyway, I look forward to input. I'll post changes soon.

[cucaracha]

i think you have much potential.
i like the colors and shapes, the image reminds me of "blade 2" :)

you should draw a hand with dreadful claws ... which are bashed into a victim, maybe :evilbat:

[I.was.ink]

I like the way it is now. I would just add the hand like u mentioned. and maybe just a few subtle tones on the chest. Just so tha you kind of tease the viewer about what he looks like. Make us believe that his body in the shadows is even scarier than his face. I would leave the background how it is except for the floor. if you do put in his hand or hands, I would put some indication of a floor just so we can relate his body, and hand to the floor!

I hope I helped out, Great WIP :thumbsup:

[Fozzybar]

Hmmm...awesome rendering...but boring composition...everything is so symmetrical and uniform...

I would suggest to draw the hand more to the right or to the left to avoid another element in the center-axis...some highlights on the claws (if there will some) should make a good contra-part to the main focus...

You could use a light coming from down to generate some structure in its chest area...

[Landmate]

add red like prom said into the places where the flesh is thin and corners... would be cool if you made some flesh and blood on his mouth and some flesh in his hand.. like someone stumbled on him while he was feeding... :P

[MessFX]

I like the mood -very dramatic. I would recommend adding a bit of reflected light and backlight to help pull out the darker forms. Those areas feel unfinished to me.

-Steve

[MindCandyMan]

feeb - first off...amazing rendering...great concept too

I think you should leave the hand there but you should drop down the specularity a bit...want people to notice it but you want it to be an afterthought...you want all the attention on the face. I personally think the color is working...I like the muted colors...although I would add a different color scheme to the background to pop him out...not sure what but something opposite of his colors...maybe a dull orange or something...not sure...will leave that up to you hehe. I don't think the image is too dark but I always like really dark pieces so I'm not one to ask hehe. Great work.