Wizard's Fire

[monsi]

Inspired by a book written by Terry Goodkind.

This is the most difficult project I've done so far. Really kinda jumped in the deep end with this. It was an interesting experience and I hope you enjoy it.

I'm eager for critique, so please

Thanks for looking. :)

http://www.artofsimoncowell.com/Things/Wizard'sFire.jpg

[magicgoo]

This is gorgeous and amazingly detailed.

I have to say that the clouds are a little weak, though. They are not varied enough in shape.

[jcaffoe]

I always imagined wizard's fire as having more of a life of its own, rather than being giant fireballs.

that being said this is a fantastic illustration. What particular scene are you referencing here?

[ArtistWannabe]

this is very good! what program do you use? on a slight ciritique, i can't really tell where the wizard's (the one closest to us) left leg is. you can kinda tell, but you can't really distinguish form. (unless its on something.)

either way, i'm not one to really criticize, great work here.

[DavePalumbo]

haha, my monitor's res isn't set high enough to see the whole image and the figure creating the fireball is completely cropped out when the page loads. So my initial reaction was (only seeing the distant figure on the left) "wow, that guy is waaaaay tiny"

I think the snow on the hill catching the fireball's reflection is too hot/bright (and perhaps the shadow not elongated quite enough?) tone down that snow and I think it looks pretty sweet

[Loakers]

First off all, nice job man, ive become a huge fan of the sword of truth series, and always wanted to try and visualise some of the world in the books. You have done a nice job in the instant 'wow factor' it took me back, seeing the casting of the wizards fire looks amazing, especially considering the devastation it can cause!
Im in love with the mountains too, and the balance between the calm night, with the ensuing battle.

Is that Zedd casting the wizards fire? hehe.

Asside from a few miniscule imperfections on the lighting and modeling of the figures, this is good work. Nice one.

[monsi]

magicgoo: Thanks, and yes, clouds are definately one of my many weak spots. I need to work on that.

easy tiger!: I know what you mean. I always pictured the fire as being in a spheric shape, but being a little more special then what I've done in the painting. I just couldn't figure out a way to bring it all to the canvas.
The scene I'm referencing is in the 6th book, Faith of the Fallen. Chapter 39 if you want to check it out ;)

ArtistWannabe: Thank you. I used photoshop. As for his left foot I know what you mean about hard to see. It is actually placed forward so that all of the leg and foot is covered by the cloak, but for some reason it's all a bit jumbled and hard to make sense of. I have much to learn.

DavePalumbo: Thanks :)

Loakers: Thanks - and yes, that is Zed on the right, and Warren in the distance on the left.

[Kenny_Callicutt]

Ive read all of the books except the last.. this is does a pretty good job of capturing the mood. I enjoy the glow on the hill from the guy far away.. not the direct light but on the hill hes standing on.. that nice reddish glow. good stuff. most of the crits have been picked out.

and that fire ball looks pretty damn cool.

[Ive]

Great job! My only remark goes to the trees, they could have been better. Maybe a smaller brush. Oh, and perhaps the mage could have more accessories like trinkets and markings on the cloak, but thats just personal thing :)
love the fireball

[tgfx]

Holy crap...Very well done man. You got my props.
I have to agree with magicgoo about the clouds. But other then that ya...nice work.

[JakkaS]

Sisters of Light and the Jagang's Army?
Lights, atmosphere, details - I love them all. Good work.

[J.Mac]

this is pretty nice, the only thing that's bothering me about this is the folds on the sleeves, they are to similar. makes it look generic. Everything looks good! rock on.

-Jesse

[monsi]

KenDeathwalker: Thanks

Ive: Thank you :) I know what you mean about the trees.

tgfx: Thank you.

JakkaS: That's Jagang's army, but the two casters are wizards, Zed and Warren. Thanks.

J.Mac: Yeah I agree with the cloth. I will try and improve next time :) Thanks

[jcaffoe]

The scene I'm referencing is in the 6th book, Faith of the Fallen. Chapter 39 if you want to check it out ;)



Ah yes, my favorite book in the series.

I always thought of it as more liquid, like napalm I suppose. Either way you captured the scene really well.

[monsi]

Thanks :)

yeah I pictured it to be more liquidy and boiling like. I failed at that in the painting.

[rondo]

idk i love that fireball, just shows how much control the wizard has over his surroundings. I love the detail in the fire ball along with the men in the valley. this painting is soooo sick man. i love it.

[markwagner]

Nice, great job. I like the atmosphere and depth created and mountain range. I'd lose the branch in front of the wizard, you don't need it. I am wondering about more warm colors on the wizard, everything is so cool. Maybe his back side would be more dark, with such intense light in front of him it should wipe out all back light. I also can't really see the wizard to the left, he's so small.

Thanks for the share.

~M

[Dutton]

I agree with Mark, the first thing that came to mind was that low hanging limb covering up the mage's arm. It's moving at the same angle and weakens the composition. Everything else is minor. Narratively, I love the way we see these two mages on their own high vantage points firing huge fireballs into the massive army. I actually like how far away the second character is. It creates a sense of isolation for each mage.... kinda like, 'we'll work together, but this is my station, and that's your station.' I'm not familiar with the story, but you almost get the sense these two could actually win against tens of thousands of soldiers.... kinda like me versus the ants that used to raid my kitchen.

[stoph]

holy moly.

[monsi]

markwagner: Yeah I originally intended to have him pretty much completely silouhetted, but I kinda got carried away with painting the cloth, and ended up giving it a bit too much backlight. And for somereason I didn't want to silouhette it anymore. lol Thanks for the comment :)

Dutton: Yeah that branch doesn't sit all that well with me, but I couldn't get rid of it completely without making the tree look very odd. I'll have to be more careful next time.

[aeonmax]

it's amazing! I wish I can draw something like you.