Shy Killer

[deschamps]

Let me know what I can improve with this piece. I feel a little stuck, especially with the wall and making the figure feel a part of the scene. I plan to put some more detail into closest part of the wall but the futher parts I was thinking about leaving almost as is. What do you think? Any lighting improvements?. Any comments would help.

This is what I was thinking of...... An arena battler. A small fellow, who's shy demeanor more often than not, catches an overconfident opponent off-guard.
-Eric

http://www.ericdeschamps.com/ill/imgs/shykiller.jpg

[Atomick]

I think it's coming along nicely, from a technical standpoint. I think solidifying and tightening the arena architecture will be nice, but it's a great environment to start with. It feels HOT in that arena! That's certainly a neat vibe to pull off with a painting, kudos on that score.

For me, the problem is focus. The point of view is such that I don't feel quite connected to him (i.e., I don't get a great amount of detail nor do I feel that he's really far away). I am speaking both in terms of distance and emotional connection. Since he's kind of a middle-ground figure, I then focus on what he's doing or the scene at hand, and picking listlessly at refuse is evocative, but doesn't hold the ol' interest. If I was standing right next to him (or her, or it) so that I could read more emotion or get connected with the character's details, that'd help.

I think, for me, the problem is more compositional than anything. But I very much dig the blue fez. :D

Keep up the good work,
-Atomick

[Erik]

I feel that the composition and the light area to the left make my eye go there but there's nothing to see. That's also due to the line of the stadium receding in the distance. Maybe desaturate the left area further or place a shadow there of his opponent or something that will lead the eye back to the creature again. A shadow would also help dramatise further and make the creature a coward more.

Or place a matador in the dstance that has no success in getting the creature to attack.

It almost seems the scene is copped at the left

Most excellent rendering of the creature btw.

[Fozzybar]

Originally posted by cire600
Let me know what I can improve with this piece. I feel a little stuck, especially with the wall and making the figure feel a part of the scene.

How about desaturating the creatures colors a little bit...this would implement the figure to the scene much better, since the background is not that colorful...

[tyboogie]

i liek the desturating stadium into the distance but the white on the ground is too destracting--i also like that your tryin to get us to pity/ and feel for this character---but the objects confuse me as i was looking for specific symbolism in them--and since hes not interacting with th eobjects i wasnt sure of their purpose---after hearing your story it all makes sense

wahts weird is that therers this Huuuuuge arena but hes over in the corner by himself--there arent even guards to keep him from going back in through the door---maybe this sis unsettling? but maybe that reinforces his loneliness?


oh--the angle of the doorway--and then connected to his beak creates a line that kinda cuts teh piece inhalf---and then on the left side its empty so it emphasizes it


just my thoughts--goood shit!!!!!!----ty

[deschamps]

Thanks everyone, for the help.
Yeah, the composition is definately the weakest point.
Here's my plan so far:

I slimmed down the fang on the creature it was a little ridiculous. I also desaturated the back side of the creature.

I am going to close the gate. It doesn't make much sense being open, and adding some guards would just get in the way of the main figure.

Going to crop the scene a little differently, getting rid of some of the dead space.

And finally I am going to try to add an opponent in the distance coming towards the main figure. Then there's the interaction with the thrown trash, I may do something more with this too. I'll try to put the results up late tonight.

Hopefully this will make the painting worth while. It was supposed to be just a creature color study and I went way too far with it!
Thanks again.
-Eric

[Shughart]

Very creepy creature, dude. I like the whole idea. If he has fangs on his beak, though, we should be able to see the other fangs (on the other side of his beak), right?

:chug:

[KayCustomz]

I like the whole theme of the piece, its eye-cataching to me

[deschamps]

Its getting closer I think.....
I still haven't dealt with the thrown trash

http://www.ericdeschamps.com/ill/imgs/shykiller16.jpg

[Erik]

Much better!

Now the creature does look distracted and the big one in the back helps define the scene more and makes the eye move back to the creature enough to start wondering what it's doing while this big mutha is coming to grab it...

Keep it going it's gonna be a cool one!

[ArtJunky]

The composition was the thing I notice also. Great improvement!

[tyboogie]

well i thik compositionally its working better---but the monster in the BG completely changes the narrative of this piece---

why is he so indifferent to the enemy coming at him--like he doesnt even notice it--has he given up? or are teh objects magical items that hell use like voodoo to put a curse on the attacker--these are some questions that might arise

it just eems kinda weird--hes like--ho hum--which weapon shoulds i choose to fight with---

i would take out bg monster and call it a day---

just my two cents---nice job ty