(UPDATED)Working on Value. C&C appreciated

[Hippie]

This style is getting to where I would like it to be, but not there yet. I have done color work before and always felt like something is wrong. I decided it was value so I am trying to do B&W work to get better with my value decisions.

Anyway, here is the image.
http://www.mikemeredith.com/forums/Briathwrite2.jpg

[shadowrover]

Hippie,

Looks good - I dig it. Four things caught my attention right away.

1. Lapels aren't casting any shadows
2. No wrinkles on the jacket in the shoulder area (lots of them everywhere else)
3. No buttons or buttonholes :)
4. The neck of the jacket looks a bit funky - can't figure out how it would work in real life

Hope this helps. I'm a noob, so not sure if my opinion means anything, but, hey, you asked.

- Shadowrover

[majinpunisher]

this image that you've been working on has a really nice subtle feel to it.

kind of unexplainable.

The comment about the neck should be taken to the heart. There is something a bit wrong with the collar. Additionally, on the lower part of his torso, I might say you should add a bit more of a gradient, over a larger area, to help the light source out.

I'm mostly interested in the character's face right now, and I think thats probably the problem, as it draws too much focus, since its such a strange gesture.

so perhaps spending some more time on the torso, and giving the face a little more shadow, would help it along.

at any rate, I like it alot.

-MajinPunisher

[Hippie]

Hey guys, thanks for the comments:

shadowrover-I agree with your concerns about he jacket and the buttons and such, just have not worked on the details yet

majinpunisher- thanks again have not really worked on the coat but it is obvious tha tthe neck area needs work.

I will hopefully have an update soon.

[shadowrover]

Sweet - I love to see more, especially when it's done - I love his pose and the tilt of his head. It's a very subtle emotion and you expressed it very well.

- Shadowrover

[Hippie]

Thanks for the help guys. I think this is as far as I want to take it, but before I post in finished art I would like to see if anyone has any problems.

Any comments are appreciated, but especially crits on the value range. Was I succesfull or not.

here is the update
http://www.mikemeredith.com/forums/Briathwrite2a.jpg

[shadowrover]

Ah, very twisted - just the way I like it. I love where you are taking this - the contrast between his geeky face and splatered blood is absolutely comical :)))

2 things that kinda caught my attention:

1. Absolutely no blood on the hand that is in his pocket.
2. Considering how strong the lightsource is, the edge of the sleeve is hardly casting a shadow on his pocket hand.

Looks awesome! Can't wait to see the rest.

- Shadowrover

[Hippie]

thanks for all your comments shadowrover it really helps to have fresh eyes look at this while I worked on it.

Here is the last update for this piece.

http://www.mikemeredith.com/forums/Briathwrite2b.jpg


was goin to put this in finished but since it was really just a value study I don't think it should go there.

thanks again and anymore comments or crits are welcome, and I will try to work on something new now:D

[Lung_bug]

you won't be working on it anymore so i won't crit the pic itself; just one thing- as a value study, you did a major mistake not using a reference. you won't learn anything except for long term frustration that way.

[Hippie]

Lung Bug:: thanks for the comment, I was more intersted in just trying to get the light and darks correct or at least looking good. Your advice about working from life is true and I will be sure to do that on my next piece.


thanks again to everyone who left comments

I will be posting another study in a bit and hope everyone will offer more crits