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Like the Fall of a Kingdom






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I can't say it's complete, and I can't say it's not finished. I think it could use a lot more toning and some shade-editing. Unfortunatly, my backache is back and I can hardly stand using the computer for a sufficient time. I need to hear what you guys think of it.

I'm not sure how the brightness/contrast/hues seem to you. I have a weird monitor.

I stole the finger arrangement from my own hand. Otherwise there was absolutely no reference used for this. Might explain a few things.

Photoshop CS

Yes, I have been accused of shading with black on this image. I really did not. No need to swear for this. I really think it's a monitor problem, because it looks good on my home monitor (a CRT which overall gives more red to everything), but the darker areas look much darker, almost black on any LCD monitor. I went back home and tuned down the reds, but the image overall still looked much better than it did on my work's LCD. Tish said it's black on two of her monitors, one of which sounded like a CRT. So I really don't know what to do. I can't fix it if what I see is how it's supposed to be, but everyone else sees it wrong.

I admit several problems with anatomy and overall shading and the reflections on the hilt's golden protector (I wanted that to reflect like a mirror) but I got to a point where I had to quit working on it because of the acute pain in my back/shoulder. I thought to myself that I will never return to it, but since everybody's pointing out that it's not a pleasing piece, I might actually reconsider getting back to it if I get better.

The petals are there to give a hint of a supposed death. The fall of the kingdom is symbolized by the lightning striking the column; the petals the death of the king. However, they seem gay to people. Any suggestions?

The king doesn't die, but is thought to have died. This was actually to be followed by a comic-strip-like page or two denoting the beginning of the story after the fall and giving an overall view of the whole scene, showing the malevolent force the king loses to, and that the lightning is caused by it, but I'm not sure I can do it anymore.

What does wonky mean?

When I draw, I challenge myself by not using reference photos. Ever. The only thing I referenced here was the arrangement of the fingers on the far hand, taken from my own hand. Other than that, I try to use my memory of what I've learnt off-drawing. Makes the process more interesting.

I really thought to myself "WTF isn't Asian about this image? Except for the column?" and I wanted to do something about it, like making the sword an Arabian scimitar and the column like those in Palmyra, but then I didn't really care. razz Dry leaves is a good idea. The hair and fabric are overly blown to an unrealistic extent because I imagined there was very strong wind there. The first concept with the column was that it would be breaking apart, the shreds flying upwards, despite that the king is standing still... cool, perhaps stupid.

Oh no, I don't use noobish dodge/burn. Only elite multiply/screen. wink lol

Be my guest with Photoshop. But please don't feel upset if I end up not making adjustments to this image. I will definitely benefit for other projects, though.

Drawing has never been a profession for me. It's merely about the hobby and the challenge, hopefully communication, and I plan to keep it that way. It has never been about the quality of the drawing as a final product to compete with others in the market/field. It is more about the challenge.. I want to look at the final outcome and think, "I made this, completely." I'd learn the patterns of a texture and draw it instead of using a texture image and edit it. I don't have a problem with a worse-than-I-can-produce image as long as it makes me a little more proud. I'll check that website of course. Sounds very interesting.

The background's added a very nice touch, but that, along with the edits you've made to the figure have changed the position of the "camera". I'm much closer and at a lower angle. You are farther (in which case the perspective changes dramatically, so the near hand can't be that large.) You also changed his breasts. The rectangular breasts aren't his. The setting is the flat top of a very high tower with those columns all around. (The king will fall off the tower.) That is why there is only a one tone sky in my image. The clouds are also supposed to give a hint at the direction of the wind. Don't know how that worked, I didn't make any effort for it.

I can show the stages I went through. The mouth was close to that shape at the beginning, but I decided to make it more human. Those corners of the lower lip are something I do when I want to look funny, but they don't happen in a serious scene, and they don't happen without all of the neck muscles attached to the collar bone getting taunt and stand out.

It is important for me that his body isn't comic-style perfectionist. Not much of rect-breast, and not much of a curvy side. You've detailed the inside of his mouth; something I should have done. Thank you. smile

Not at all. It was very nice seeing the subliminal impression given to you by my drawing. The edits were very nice. It's just that the wanted impression was different; like specific physical features of my character and the overall scene/situation which I haven't quite explained.

Thanks a lot for the links. smile And have a very good busy-a** afternoon.

If you like your image exactly as it is why do you post it for crit? why not just say its finished and take advice for next time?

I think considering the lighting in the background the whole character is under contrasted and has no blue tones which it would if there really was lighting right next to him.