Critique my work I am drunk.

[ryansumo]

Never had luck getting people to look at my work, so I figured an offbeat title would get people to click. Anyhoo, withthis piece I totally ignord the background so I could concentrate on the character. I figure that it'd be best to tackle learning to do a good background separately, then working on a proper piece when I feel that I'm comfortable doing both. Without further ado:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h100/endlessthirteen/samurai.jpg

[mwillustration]

your proportions are looking pretty good, but the features are really generic and lack detail.

everything is pretty flat with just three values at most going on throughout the image.
there needs to be more variation in your values with more than a graphic transition from midtone to shadow to highlight.

also, the lighting from the cast shadow would suggest that the light source is coming from behind the character and from the upper right.
but the lighting on the face suggests a light source from the upper right but in front of the character on the cheek bones, but a raking light from the right on the noses highlight.

also the hands are much too blocky and the fingers are too identical.

overall, good bodily proportions, but work on the details and values more.
and most importantly, use reference, especially if you're trying to represent reality.

[ryansumo]

Thanks. Great great tips overall. Honestly, light and shadow is one of the hardest things for me right now. I suppose that's where using a reference comes into play. ;)

[rytango]

oh, oh! this is really awesome. i like his expression!
all that mwillustration said applies. might i add lookin at metal objects like silver chains or spoons to get that metalic sheen for the samur-guy's sword. even sword refs would work too. think about where the light is hitting it too.
keep it up yo!

[braden m]

First of all photo reference is essential to creating characters. I'm not sure if you used reference or not, but I can see that your image is very flat. Have you tried using a darker background? If not, try that and you'll see that you character will pop like hell. After that, start a new layer and knock the lower half of his body back till its somewhat similar to the background value. Try keeping the focal point towards his head with the light. Detail will help a lot. While you don't have to go crazy with it just suggesting it will make it aparent. That the good thing about photoshop...its very forgiving. You can paint in layers and pitch the ones you don't need without screwing up. Just play around and have fun with it...it'll show. Good job.

[ryansumo]

thanks for all the crits guys. now I have a whole new list of things i need to work on. :D