swarthy sea dog

[Ouroboros]

Normally I'd throw this into "It's finally finished!", but in my heart it isn't done yet. I wanted to do something more with the background but couldn't find any good reference for what I wanted to put back there: the deck of a galleon overlooking the sea, and I don't dare attempt such a thing without actually knowing what it looks like first. Any help on this would be appreciated.

This was a character portrait for a character in the Dungeons and Dragons setting, influenced of Jason Manley's Black Isle work, whom I was fortunate enough to learn from for 6 hours in person when he and Android did a demo at my school (where he graduated from).

This is the first painting I've done without doing a drawing first.

http://www.rsad.edu/~echapman/DNDPirate2.JPG

Ouro

[Dementist]

I'm quite disheartened by the lack of replies to an excellent piece liek this. the standard sof this board are mind-bogglingly high.

I don't know how to help you with the gallion pic, maybe try lookign at some art for a pirate fantasy game? If you want a crit on the actual character, I thin his tunic makes him look like more of a samurai then a pirate, if that's what he's supposed to be. Perhaps some type of necklace or more details on the hilt could help?

Oh, and I can't help but point out his resemblence to Hercule from DBZ... sorry, its a sicness of mine. :beer:

[Ouroboros]

Yeah, the tunic is kinda eastern-inspired. As is the pose. But really that was just me trying to get a vest-type tunic and baggy undershirt to look more interesting. And partly because he is a swordsman type, in a swashbuckling kind of way. Is that too much, maybe?

Hercule, huh? Yeah maybe, I guess I can see that. I can also see Frank Zappa. (http://home.earthlink.net/~tunes4us/apostrophe.jpg) :) Though neither were intentionally imitated. But that's just the hair and mustache. They do that sometimes.

[Grifter730]

Not sure what you can do for a background either, but I also wanted to add that this is a great piece, especially for a first time not drawing the image first. Amazing!

[GhostofMacbeth]

Looks good .. I was thinking that it was a little samurai looking as did other people. You might try renting or doing a search for pirate movies to get a better handle on soem of the background elements. can do anything with Treasure Island or most things with Errol Flynn etc ...

Was also thinking maybe a bit of gold might pull the pirate out of the samurai.

[RONIN]

Seems too "pretty" to be a Pirate. Years on the sea with wind and saltwater blasting you in the face will "leather" your skin real fast. (I was in the Navy for four years and on a ship the whole time, 6 months at sea and you face starts to look like an alligator bag) Needs a background as well, or crop the picture tighter, he looks a little lost.

-- Just my thoughts.

[octopus]

Hey Ourobouros,

I really like the detail on the hands and the texture of the clothing.

I agree with all what has been said here. I especially want to emphasize the on the accessories part. To make it more interesting to look at and give your character a bit more context add some nice trinkets.

Also I'm not sure myself but I notice something off at the shoulders. They look almost at the same level and at the same time they are not..Ah maybe it's just me. :)

But other than that great painting.

Octopus

[jarvis2824]

The face looks a little like Hercule from Dragonball. Did you intend that?

Chris