Wood Elf Sorceress **UPDATED**

[LeeSmith]

This is one of the first pieces I have done where I have forced myself to work without lines (usually I have linework and color beneath). It's also one of the few times I have forced myself to consider composition and background (yes I'm one of those character on a white background guys ;))

So I would really like to hear what people think, what I did right and of course what I did wrong and where it can be improved. Thanks in advance :)

http://www.shawawa.com/misc/Woodelf.jpg

[Mysen]

I really like that. It has some great movement in the piece.
The colors are great too. has a nice mood to it.

They eyes though... they are way tooo white. Detracts from the rest of your beautiful work. And a suggestion.. add a backlight .. sort of adding a nice outline of the character. doesnt have to be much but it will pop her out of that picture a a lot more. Not that what you have is bad, but it seems like she s bleeding into the blackness too much.

[GhostofMacbeth]

Looks good .. I agree on the eye white and I might tone down the white of the teeth too or make them smaller... Otherwie I think it looks good.

[LeeSmith]

thanks for the great feedback, here's a little bit of an update :)

http://www.shawawa.com/misc/Woodelfrev.jpg

[Mysen]

oh yes.. that is much better. very nice indeed.

[LeeSmith]

here's another update. I tried to address the storytelling problem raised on another forum by making the focus character leading a small band of wood elves into battle to defend their sacred glade. I also hope this may have fixed the depth issue, by making the female the foreground, the second elf middle ground and then background I'm hoping it now doesn't feel as flat, but we'll see. I think I'm about ready to call this one done (unless there are any other cool suggestions?)

http://www.shawawa.com/misc/Woodelffin.jpg

[Mysen]

oh.. yes indeed. I like the additions. That totally enhances this piece man.

Good Job! :chug:

[Halis_Aetrous]

It goes from great, to better, to awesome! I love the coloring and you really did great with keeping your light source(s) in mind. I could use some advice from you about that =P

Truly impressive. Keep it up!

[mun]

This is probably one of the strongest pieces you have ever done.. Nice job Lee. You have grown alot.

The only problem I have is with the last update is the halberd axes in the background. They pop out too much, trying using darker and cooler colors like the elf holding them. Regardless, a huge step for you. I look forward to seeing more of from this style.

[tanses]

absolutely incredible, I love the dynamics (with the amulet and the folds on the woodelf's clothes). the red eyes look much better than the white eyes, but maybe something more bluish or greenish would look even better.

all in all excellent work, I hope there will be even more to come :thumbsup:

[Zonk]

Wondefull...
There's a fantastic mood in this pic.

I only would have let the eyes white.

[foster]

hi lee, i think this piece is going very well but there are some changes i would make to have it work a little better. i have attached a file of your painting that i drew over. my main worry is that your main character has an awkward pose. i do not mind the twist but i think her shoulder is way to low and her arm a bit long.

for composition sake i would carry the other warriors out more and create a wedge behind her.

your painting (brush work) is quite nice but a little contrasty. you are making to big of value leaps to describe your forms. try to be much more subtle, you will find that it will do a much more believable job. as for the structure of wrinkles in clothing, nothing beats putting on something of similar drape and looking at what actually happens, where the cloth gathers and pulls etc.

i hope you come back to this or take some of this to your next painting. keep us updated.

jon

[Patch]

I love it, but I would just like to say that I liked the original 'white' eyes over the new red/orange. I thought that it had better feel to it.

Just MHO.

Look forward to your next.

[LeeSmith]

thanks for all the positive feedback everyone, it's very encouraging to try something new and have it so well received :)

Jon, thanks so much for the crit. your paint over is very helpful, and the extra figures you have added into the background have really oumoed up the composition and give the piece alot of energy!

I'll have a closer look into my strokes, I would say the transitions being too contrasty would be from trying to paint too quickly, maybe a little more time would help.

If I get a chance I'll rework this one some more, but I'll definitely take your comments on board for new work. Once again thanks :)

[Dryfire]

Thats really nice!