Corvvs' Thread of Ill-Fated Portraits: Merman Hunter

[Corvvs]

Thanks for the feedback, but I've already reposed it once. I suppose I could again, if its really necessary.

However, its right leg and arm, and head are a bit awkward, once I fix them it might look better.

[Corvvs]

I've been a bit swamped in homework and am currently sick, but I managed another revision, as I do want to continue with this.

I:

-reposed the Head

-reposed the right arm (his right)

-reposed the right leg

I cannot see anything specific to improve as far as the lines, so I would like pointers, as I don't feel quite ready to start the flats and all again.

[zookeeper]

Well, since no one else seems to have said anything, which truly puzzles me, I'll point out that the pose is really ackward, because of the front legs. Elbows tucked inwards while the paws/claws/whatever are reaching outwards? That's about an ackward pose as you can get, just try it yourself. The elbows should be on his sides, not in front of him.

Also, he's almost sitting. His behind doesn't touch the ground though, so it somewhat gives the impression that he's doing his business.

[Sapient]

I'm using IE6 and your image appears as a solid black rectangle. So, I can't really comment on it.

[Shadow]

I'm using IE6 and your image appears as a solid black rectangle. So, I can't really comment on it.

Get a browser not a joke. (Sorry couldn't hold myself back)

Interesting the left leg somehow seems akward though.

[Corvvs]

Well, since no one else seems to have said anything, which truly puzzles me, I'll point out that the pose is really ackward, because of the front legs. Elbows tucked inwards while the paws/claws/whatever are reaching outwards? That's about an ackward pose as you can get, just try it yourself. The elbows should be on his sides, not in front of him.

Also, he's almost sitting. His behind doesn't touch the ground though, so it somewhat gives the impression that he's doing his business.

Ouch. I tried it, and his back must be broken. Definitely gonna fix that. Being home sick can be a good thing.

I'm using IE6 and your image appears as a solid black rectangle. So, I can't really comment on it.

I don't know what I should do...It's just a big-ish .png. I kinda agree with Shadow, but I'll try .jpg for the next one (in addition to the .png) Maybe that will help.

[AI]

I don't know what I should do...It's just a big-ish .png. I kinda agree with Shadow, but I'll try .jpg for the next one (in addition to the .png) Maybe that will help.

NO!

JPEG doesn't support transparency and its lossy compression will quickly deteriorate crisp lines, meaning it's a Bad Idea for images like these.

(okay, so maybe I went a bit overboard )

[Corvvs]

*cringes* ok. BTW, AI, you're a dev now? congrats.

[woodmouse]

Ooooh! AI is developer! Congratulations!
(I just wanted to congrats him too.)

[thespaceinvader]

Corvvs: to solve Sapient's issue, there's no need to use .jpg, simply use a non-transparent background for the .png instead - it's .png transparency that IE6 can't handle, not the .pngs themselves.

[Corvvs]

Thanks TSI, here it is with a white background, and the pose modified slightly.

[Sapient]

Not a bad attempt, but I think this pose is just too static. Normally we don't want an action pose for our portraits, but for a monster: yes. I can think of several poses which would better the fearsome nature of this flying beast. Also... where are the wings? The wings of the gryphon should be huge and the fact that you haven't even sketched a rough outline of them here suggests that you aren't thinking a lot about how you are going to place them. I'd also like to see larger eyes and a more predatory looking beak. The current beak here looks a little too friendly.

[Corvvs]

Not a bad attempt, but I think this pose is just too static. Normally we don't want an action pose for our portraits, but for a monster: yes. I can think of several poses which would better the fearsome nature of this flying beast. Also... where are the wings? The wings of the gryphon should be huge and the fact that you haven't even sketched a rough outline of them here suggests that you aren't thinking a lot about how you are going to place them. I'd also like to see larger eyes and a more predatory looking beak. The current beak here looks a little too friendly.

By an action pose, do you mean a flying pose? An attacking pose? or just anything less static? I personally think this pose looks nice and threatening.

The wings are folded along his back. The only view would be a bit of the front of each. I used to have outlines showing where they were, but i lost them when i redid the feathers as Kitty suggested. Here's one from a few pages ago.

I wanted to emphasize that gryphons are lions too, and fast, strong ground beasts-hence the big muscular arms, stable pose (not perching), and big haunches.

I agree with what you say about the beak and eyes.

You raise a bunch of interesting points. I'll fool with it a bit, maybe try an action-posed sketch.

[Sapient]

black box again

[Corvvs]

I should have thought of that.