color orc scouts

[eigam]

I drew this a few days ago, and colored it today. All crits and comments welcome.
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/cireeigam/ORC-scouts.jpg

[Cyrus]

I like the look of their outfits. :^^:

It seems like you have too much contrast in the picture; highlights shouldn't be that big on rounded objects like the orcs' bodies(unless you're using a really close and bright light source) since the brightest spots only appear on the planes of an object parallel to the direction of the light, so there should be a smoother transition of values, with only a smidgen of pure white where the light hits directly(assuming you're using that bright a light source).

Also, the lines in the background are kinda thick and make it stand out, i'd probably be better to make them more like the orcs.

[Mindflaw]

I agree with cyrus on the outlining. I also think you could reduce the outlining on the right orc on the shoulder and arm ( on the right side) somewhat too.

When it comes to the colouring I like the right orcs hand the best cause it seems more simplyfied with harder edges even though I think you have use the same softness only it has reduced when making the brush smaller.

[emily g]

I agree with what's been said about the lighting. It is quite harsh right now.
You have a lot of highlights and a lot of shadows, but there are very few midtones. I would probably lighten the shadows just a bit and maybe add a bluish tint--shadows aren't always black.
I like how one of the orcs is looking at the viewer, though. Nice touch.

best,
emily

[eigam]

Thank you all for your great crits.
Cyrus, I went back in and tried to knock out the super bright parts, and I lightened the line in the stones.

Mindflaw, Thanks, not sure what your saying about the right shoulder line. Is it the line weight of the shoulder?

Emily g, Thanks, I went back and tried to fix it up but not sure if I was able to. I may have made matters worse. I tried to lighten the shadows, but it came out like crap, then I tried to make some a darker blue, and it came out worse. I was struggling with doing a re-do for a while and wound up making the whole thing darker.



Here's the newer darker one, and also attached is my pencil sketch I did it from.
Again all crits and comments welcome.
sketch
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/cireeigam/ORC-MOB2.jpg
new
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/cireeigam/ORC-scouts-3.jpg

[Mindflaw]

Eigam: yes I meant to heavy, but I might take that back since I actually didn't considered the fact that, the screens resolution effects line-wight since it changes the size of the entire picture, so when you perhaps are seeing a smaller pic I might see a bigger pic where the line is to thick, but in yours perfect since the pic is smaller.
IMO your update is an improvement although my understanding of light and such is real poor.

keep going :confident

[eigam]

Mindflaw,
Thanks Man, I have lots of problems with the whole lighting issue to.

[Mike Frank]

Nice man ya gotta love orcs.

Some things I see is that the shadows are pretty harsh. Not sure what your mindset is, it may be you think that shadows = black.. this is not always/hardly ever true. Look around at some shadows being cast and notice they sort of have a transparent quality.

Also I think since this is an outdoor day time scene you should consider adding in some reflected light into the shadows. Basically we have 5 aspects of light affecting form - highlight, half tone, core or "hump", reflected light(make sure this value is very distinguishable from your lit areas), and cast shadow. Loomis has a great way of explaining this, basically that the "hump" is the dark area that isn't cast shadow, that can't be reached either by the light or reflected light. And reflected light is basically all of the light that is bouncing around off of the environment. http://www.fineart.sk is down for me right now, otherwise I'd direct link the pages I'm talking about, but look it up in Successful Drawing if you're interested in his explanation.

Another thing is that you should try to wrap your strokes around the forms you are drawing, this will give the lighting a feel of being more "on the surface" and make the form seem more solid and believable. Same way you wrapped their swords up at the base, you want your shading strokes to go across/around the forms with this idea. In some ways that is kind of a stylistic choice so up to you, it is a good exercise at least to practice.