mock cover - c&c please

[dominionjames]

since you guys are the big guns or the art world.. :bashful: here is a mock cover if i had millions to do a book...if you like this, then you'll love my site... www.thedeenajamesco.com


http://img209.exs.cx/img209/808/griphoncoverresize9ja.jpg (http://www.theprofileexchange.com)

www.thedeenajamesco.com

[SeraphSword]

Image isn't bad, but it would make for a lousy cover. Usually you want something more interesting and dynamic than a character standing around flexing. Put something that makes me want to pick up the book.

Also, on website, I would go straight to main page. "Click here to enter" pages irk me.

[dominionjames]

didn't mean to urk you :teeth: but i've seen loads of spider man, super man, hell boy, savage dranog covers where they are just standing around flexing. but i'll keep that in mind.... i mostly wanted to get a response on tha art, it is a "mock"...not in stores, yet but thanx ... :x

[Ian Mack]

The hands could use some more construction. And while you are probably right about the flexing covers, I think your pose could still be more interesting. Play with the leaping over the wall idea if that is what you were intending.

[SeraphSword]

Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought since you put it as a mock cover you wanted more of a design critique.

Like I said before, the image itself isn't that bad, but there are a few things that could possibly be improved. The neck structure seems a little strange, with his jaw seeming to come almost from his pectorals. Also, some of the muscular anatomy seem almost like shapes rather than muscles that actually attach to bone. The wings are also a little tough to read. All in all it's much better than what I could do, but could still be improved. Keep it up.

[Danilo]

I like material of an monster, maybe you can do background red so it can be great shines of an image.
Also dont like cutted hand.

[Helzon]

I like the intention of your piece. I also like your use of varying the line weights. However, as a comic cover...i'm not so sure. I do agree with the others about the physical construction of your character. There are anatomical issues present. The muscle structure of the forearm especially the right one is wonky. You have it correct on the left arm..but didn't translate it over to the right one. The index finger is at a very strange angle, while the middle two are MIA. The back of the hand looks like it's caving in when it should have a slight rise toward the wrist then a small dip just before it. The tendons themselves would stand out and bridge the gap....look at your own and see how it is. Below the diaphragm where you have blacked it out, is a bit too small in terms of packing all the anatomy into that space, the shapes are interesting though. The upper thigh looks as though it were pasted there instead of organically flowing with the character. I am confused as to what that crescent looking thing is above him...I gather it's not the moon, because that's to the left behind your logo. And of course the jaw and upper head issue.
I would humbly submit that you play with the camera angle. Find the most dynamic P.O.V.. Don't be afraid to have your character look at the camera, it challenges the viewer. If you want to make him look intimidating...shoot from the bottom up. If he's in the city a great 2point or quasi 3 point perspective shot would really set it off. Interaction with his surroundings...if he's a heavyweight, he's crushing bricks and twisting metal when he's slamming around, nothing should be safe.
Also..play with a secondary light source...if it's a city..there will be a glow coming from street lights and etc.
Good luck!
Hope this helps if just a bit.

[dominionjames]

thanx for the info, i'll try these inputs on my next piece. i don't know how to make a large beast from below and in a more dynamic pose, maybe flying? or swooping down? i also was trying to show shiney skin/scales. i didn't know if a different angle would fit every thing i tried to show, and the most basic seemed the easiest. guess i was lazy.. :[ are there any major things besides pose - secondary light? what about the moons light? is that secondary, or did you mean from below?

thanx

[magicgoo]

I'd change the font. I was in the graphic design business for signs for 6 years and that's a very overused font. Staccato 555? Well, that's what we called it anyway. Make it more customized.

I like the illustration. The hand anatomy is a little bit off.

[Helzon]

Depending on how large the city you place your character in is...(if you draw something like Time's Square Manhattan or instead some smaller city like Springfield, MA) that will determine how intense you want the glow from below to be. Yeah...sorry if I wasn't clear about that...
Where you have your character right now..on an empty rooftop...the moon would be a primary light source whereas the streelight would be the secondary. However, if he were on a cluttered rooftop with a neon sign five feet from him, the moon would have to compete with a far closer light source. So it really depends on what you have in mind for the actually setting and that will determine where you go from there.
If you want a really good tutorial on lighting and bounce lighting..check out Prometheus'.
Its in tutorials, tips, and tricks...the first thread...just follow the Larger link..
Cheers!

[Muttonhead]

Ya, i agree with magicgoo. The Font seems a bit ho-hum at the moment, and that hand in the foreground needs some re-work. Everything else up to that, however works pretty well for me anatomy-wise. Also your inking lines are super-clean and neat. I wish my hand was that steady...hehe.

Great color and lighting and compostion.

Lets see a new hand!

[dominionjames]

thanx again, this time to mutton, and magic. the font was a "corel draw" fornt, i thought it fit the monster? don't know how to make custum font's next but will try for my next piece. as for the hand (that's getting ripped on!), i meant for it to be closed but showing two fingers. just to give people the idea of his "claws". since he doesn't have sharp nails, i just wanted to show an example. but now i know - open or closed!. also, i know you can't realy tell from just looking at it, but he's on a castle. not a building. which is why the moon is the only light source... :wink: but i guess i need alot more practice, with composition! i'll try, and than for the input!!... :dead:

[Muttonhead]

Hey. Actually, its not that the "pose" of the hand is wrong, its more that the anatomy isn't quite there, or even that it looks too flat. I recommend taking a good look at the way those tendons on the back of the hand work. For instance, when the hand is close, those tendons are generally less pronounced. Also, the patterning and the way the tendons criss-cross across the back of the hand is quite specific. Finally, the knuckles don't seem to stick out as far as they probably should... for instane, the middle-finger knuckle usually comes out further than the index finger knuckle, the same as the middle finger is usually the longest finger.

At least something to think about for the next piece!