[WIP] Back from the hunt

yano_nls 2016-09-30 20:56:01 UTC #1

Hi everyone !

First post here and really excited about this place !
So anyway I was working on a new piece recently but felt a bit stuck, I'd love to hear your opinions and advices

I don't have that much experienced in finishing my digital painting because I often get stuck and leave it at some point, I'd like to overcome that.

What's to improve on this one ? Which way should I go ?

Thank you !

Yano

lozzzliss 2016-09-30 21:07:38 UTC #2

Hey!
It's really looking good so far! I especially love the look of the environment.
I would like to point out though that my eye seems to be drawn to the sky in the back instead of the fire, I assume this is not intentional? If not, try toning down the light area there?

yano_nls 2016-09-30 21:11:53 UTC #3

Hey superlizzziie
Thanks a lot ! You're definitely right and saw what I couldn't saw because of working on it for hours, I will try and tone down the sky and maybe add more bright flames and action to the village ?

Thanks a lot for your help

lozzzliss 2016-09-30 21:13:57 UTC #4

Nice idea, I think that´ll definitely help getting the attenion to where it's needed

koboldart 2016-09-30 21:42:56 UTC #5

Hello there! I like the mood of the scene and mostly agree in what Liz just said. But let me add a little more.

I think your image would profit a lot from atmospheric perspective. I'm sure you've experienced yourself that the further things are from you the less saturated and more blue tinted they get. It is because the light has to travel through much more air particles from those far away objects to your eyes. But I don't want to go into the physics of this phenomenon.

What I want to say that your painting lacks depths. I can't feel the distance of the mountains the burning village, etc. With a little atmospheric perspective you can solve this problem. See my quick overpaint below (I hope you don't mind)

One more thing. Pay attention to values! On your original piece the dark tones are all over the place which makes hard for the viewer to find a focus point. Usually the things closest to us are more colorful, and darker in tone, than objects further away. I'd suggest to keep the riders, especially the closer one, the darkest parts of the image (keep them as they are right now) and lighten up everything else.

Bonus comment: The overall color palette is nice, but maybe you could add a little (really just a little) more saturated colors on the characters. Their capes perhaps. To spice it up and enforce the focus even more.

Keep up the good work!

yano_nls 2016-09-30 22:10:56 UTC #6

Hello !

Wow those have been my two major issues in all of my paintings for a loooong time this helps a LOT, I've been struggling with depth without really knowing ways to adjust it, your explanation was on point ! Same for the dark tones that would make my paintings focus points a bit chaotic.

I'm going to try and apply all that new knowledge right now !
Thank you !

koboldart 2016-09-30 22:30:53 UTC #7

I'm glad I could help Can't wait to see how this will turn out.

hermidraws 2016-10-01 01:39:53 UTC #8

In addition to the in-depth details @koboldart already shared, will add a couple of videos that can also give you some insights :

Scott Robertson video about Atmospheric Perspective

Environment Design Series from Amit Dutta
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxibUGsLOe8C7inoG_s6fwO5kNZ6zOEGB

thunderdumpling 2016-10-01 06:25:18 UTC #9

I suggest adding more environmental effects such as trees, rocks, people near the river trying to get water to quench the fire, people fleeing from the village, distant battles outside of the village, etc.

yano_nls 2016-10-01 23:43:38 UTC #10

Here's an update, still a lot to do !

Thanks again for the tips everyone, I'm working on it.

Yano

brohawx 2016-10-02 07:07:40 UTC #11

I think the original sketch had some good composition elements too it that may have been lost in the process. Mainly with the cool billowing smoke.

But the horizon line crossing the main characters face leads to the left, to the smoke which leads down, to the river, to the ledge, and back to the character which works well in the sketch. A bit of that got lost in the progress maybe. Not much. Its not a big deal to fix.

Stay zoomed out like I think your doing and it will go fast. Look forward too it. I like orange.