Valkiers portraits: It's like I can touch you!

[Ardent]

I think that if you plan to use the 'spark' in eyes, you should probably put them in the skull, now it looks to me as if they are actually in front of the face.

[Huston]

i like this latest version. in my opinion (for what it's worth) the eyes help offset the awkwardness i was trying to describe with him looking in the complete opposite direction as the axe. (When i carry stuff i think it's a good idea to at leat keep it in my peripheral vision to avoid damaging it). but the eyes do seem to pop out too much try giving them a more hollow feeling(if you're going to keep it)

also if your going for making it look like a veteran, maybe put a few small chips in the axe blade(medieval weapons often obtained these over usage)

[Valkier]

also if your going for making it look like a veteran, maybe put a few small chips in the axe blade(medieval weapons often obtained these over usage)

Way ahead of you.

Edit: I didn't want to post another image since I didn't change all that much. I put in a little bit of chain mail for effect and repositioned the left side arm to make him hold the weight in a more natural position. Also threw on some rust for good measure on the armor. Bed time for me now.

[thespaceinvader]

A few tatters of chain mail around his rib cage could add to the used effect. Otherwise, finish the refinement, add some grime, rust, and the line work, and I think you're there.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

A few tatters of chain mail around his rib cage could add to the used effect.

There already are some, but you have to look really carefully to see them.

[thespaceinvader]

They were edited in after my comment. They look good.

[LordBob]

I like the overall style. Some armour parts are are a little blurry, but I think inking can solve this so I'll wait before any further comment.

You have an anatomical weak spot on his hands/wrists (especially the one closest to us). I won't blame you, the human hand really is a mess when it comes to bones. Nevertheless I'd warmly suggest hiding those wrists with the remains of a vambrace, bracer, or sleeve.

Also, the chainmail on his ribs is really hard to spot. I'd say make it more obvious by increasing the size (and possibly number) of the chain tatters

Other than that, I'm 100% with tsi : grime, rust, dust, etc. !

[Valkier]

I like the overall style. Some armour parts are are a little blurry, but I think inking can solve this so I'll wait before any further comment.

You have an anatomical weak spot on his hands/wrists (especially the one closest to us). I won't blame you, the human hand really is a mess when it comes to bones. Nevertheless I'd warmly suggest hiding those wrists with the remains of a vambrace, bracer, or sleeve.

Also, the chainmail on his ribs is really hard to spot. I'd say make it more obvious by increasing the size (and possibly number) of the chain tatters

Other than that, I'm 100% with tsi : grime, rust, dust, etc. !

Cover the wrists?! Now where's the fun in that! I'm breaking out references and getting that right! Weirdo.

It's all a work in progress right now, so I haven't gotten to every little detail I want to just yet. I still ened to reapply the cast shadow from the pole of the axe, add in the bounce lights from the metal and fabric, round off the ribs (they don't look round, as per real human ribs) add more detail to the fingers in general, finish up the sash and metal belt, and numerous other things.

I am far from finished! Not until this thing can actually cry through your screen!

[Huston]

are you a professional artist Valkier?

[Valkier]

are you a professional artist Valkier?

I don't consider myself one. I have had years of self, college, and private art instruction in the vein of fine arts. I do have a degree in 3D animation and modeling, but by and large I have very little formal training in digital painting. My only saving grace is that knowing how to paint and draw with traditional media translates over fairly well to Photoshop.

I sell cell phones for a paycheck right now. Going back to college in August to work on finishing up a degree in fine arts, which will take me another few years. God willing, I'll learn something while I'm there and THEN be a professional artist.

[kitty]

The red cloth looks extremly shiny, like silk or some synthetic material. The magenta parts of the sprite are team colour, they change colour according to the side they belong to - in our experience it works best to represent those parts as dull purple, brownish red or something along those lines.
Otherwise looking better and better

And your new signature made me chuckle

[Valkier]

Mostly some refinement done. I fixed the perspective of the leg guards on the left, and changed the position of the hand at the bottom of the pole. Also finished up the wrists, though I may refine them a tad bit further. Added some more chain links. I want to keep them scarce because I want skeleton to be the important part, not the armor. Fixed up the coloration of the strap and sharpened up the edges of it, as well as the edges in various other places on the figure. Toned down the shininess of the cloth and added some dust/dirt to it. I'm not quite satisfied with the cloth on the left side, so I may rework that a bit. Otherwise, mostly added in colored bounce lights and fixed various issues with the secondary lighting.

Still need to rough up the leather strap a tad as it's standing out. Going to try to sharpen up the neck area and the cloth and metal around the pelvis. After that, a bit more grime and maybe testing out a few things to make him look a little more mean, and then the line work.

[Huston]

Still need to rough up the leather strap a tad as it's standing out. Going to try to sharpen up the neck area and the cloth and metal around the pelvis. After that, a bit more grime and maybe testing out a few things to make him look a little more mean, and then the line work.

Who says he needs to look mean? right now it looks like he is Psychotic (by this i mean he has the classic Joker grin from the joker in the batman tv shows.

[Jacques_Fol]

Hmm, I agree with Huston in the sense that I already have a few conversations in mind which could use a portrait in its current "non-mean" state. So, perhaps, if you decide to make him meaner towards the end of the polishing-up process, you could furnish us with a non-mean variety as well? (By "furnishing" I only mean posting the image in the right size with transparent background - as far as I and my campaign are concerned, even if by that time the lines are not yet done.)

[Valkier]

Still need to rough up the leather strap a tad as it's standing out. Going to try to sharpen up the neck area and the cloth and metal around the pelvis. After that, a bit more grime and maybe testing out a few things to make him look a little more mean, and then the line work.

Who says he needs to look mean? right now it looks like he is Psychotic (by this i mean he has the classic Joker grin from the joker in the batman tv shows.

I meant armor or weapon wise. His skull has been completed for awhile. The grin and empty eye sockets stay.