Caution - Never play with fire

[Laconic]

http://users.ox.ac.uk/~sann1892/fireball.JPG

I've been playing with this for a while (a couple of hours) and ive got some style questions.

Are the colours ok? the blues and greys on the hand - its my hand, i do have blue veins and the like - but does it work in the pic?

The flame

In my mind the hand is twisting it and moving it forward slightly but im not sure that that is the best one. Does the vertical one (bottom of the page) or the non twisting one look any better?

Anyone know a nice way to paint or manipulate a fire ball?

I'd really appreciate help with this one. How else can i improve it? What areas need looking at?

Laconic.

[Big-Dave]

Personally I think the vertical one looks better, except with his hand extended like that I'd have expected the flame to have a broader base.

[Laconic]

I think i will try one with just a ball of fire, self contained, so no tail to it.

I agree that the vertical looks more natural, but then the whole concept isn't natural, its messing with the forces of nature so...

Also, if i was cupping a ball of fire (as you do), i dont think my hand would be open like that is.

Surely more people have an opinion?

Laconic

[Laconic]

http://users.ox.ac.uk/~sann1892/fireball2.JPG

Moved things around a bit. Again, which do people think feels right? I thing the colours of the shperical flame are better.. but im still not sure what arrangement is best.

Thoughts? critiques? Flames?

Laconic