Sword's Edge Cover

[littlejohn]

I have a cover for a fantasy short story 'zine due next week. Since the forums have been so helpful in the past, I thought I'd track my progress here. I proposed the following:

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

The first image shows a soldier who's just cut a wizard's head off. The second (drawn from a different story) depicts a Spanish priest blocking a samurai's sword with a prayer-like gesture. The last is the same samurai facing off against a demon.

The art director thought they were all fine, and is letting me pick which one to work on. I'll probably choose either the one with the priest or the one with the demon.

Anyhow, any feedback along the way would be most appreciated.

[ConceptCreature]

Hey, littlejohn!

I like 1 or 3, personally. Number 2 comes off a little cliche'd. For some reason, the idea of this guy's head flying through the air just really appeals to me. Probably 'cause I haven't seen it for a long time.
Congrats on the job, can't wait to see the finished product!

[littlejohn]

Thanks, ConceptCreature. I may end up going with number two, if only because the idea of a samurai facing off against a Spanish priest may be the most interesting thing about the story. But I agree, it may just be too silly. The first one is my favorite, but it's the art director's least favorite.

I continued with some quick sketches and color studies. I think this thing needs to be done by tomorrow night so... fun!

http://www.davidhendee.com/images/cover_sketch01.jpg http://www.davidhendee.com/images/cover_sketch03.jpg http://www.davidhendee.com/images/cover_sketch02.jpg

[littlejohn]

I think these are about done. I decided to do the monster one for the cover and provide a second illustration for an interior. Any last minute comments would be appreciated.

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

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

Thanks everyone!

[ConceptCreature]

Hey, Littlejohn!

Very good! You've got great color theory, and a great gestural style to the piece. It's really great to see how you've progressed! Also good to see that you stuck to the two ideas that I liked! ;P
Is this Photoshop or Painter?

[MindCandyMan]

That one at night with the horned monster is fantastic...I can't wait to see it fully rendered...looks awesome!

[littlejohn]

ConceptCreature: Thanks. I really appreciated your input on the concepts. These two were done in Painter with a brush I made that is basically the Oil Pastel, but round and without any texture.

MindCandyMan: But it's already done... :(

... which is one of the main things I keep working on. I just don't know quite how to take my pieces to the next level of polish/detail. It's like there's no there, there.

If anybody has any advice on rendering little bits of detail, please let me have it. I feel like I'm almost there.

Thanks, folks.

[I.was.ink]

hey awesome job little john. I love how gestural and sketchy they look. I think MCM said that because they could be a bit more refined. They look nice, but could look great.

I think they're fine. The only thing I would do would be to add definition to the face of the second one.

BTW. I use that same brush, and I've been looking for a round and textureless version for a while. How did you make that? please, help a conceptorgian out!:)

O!

[littlejohn]

iwasink: Thanks for the followup. I'll definitely try and incorporate some more detail if I have a spare moment.

About the brush: I just took the Oil Pastel, then changed its Dab Type to Circular and Method Subcategory to Soft Cover. It works okay; I like that when you press lightly, it mushes around the color. Only it gets a little monotonous, so I also used a Flat dab type for a little bit.

There's definitely something about making your own brush that helps you paint better. But what I really want to do is to figure out how to use Smeary Bristle Spray just like dodawa. :)