Gem - Entertainment [Color]

© Flak

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Post-Crystals of Mana. Gem sits alone on a rock outcropping, tired from a day of traveling. In an attempt to get his mind off the visions, he entertains himself by balancing a dagger on his fingertip.

Comments on the piece: Done before I discovered layers, part of the production of this was shortening his disfigured right arm. [Sketch version.]

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  1. Ah, nice coloring Mike. The colors all blend well toguether and gives a slightly different feeling to the Hunter while he sits on a stone. Most look very great in proportions, except for the dagger (its kind of distorted), but that doesn’t ruin mainly the whole aspect of the drawing. I also like the color purplue you chose for the drawing. Great job, and send more colored art, whether you like it or not!

    Nightcobra — 3/1/06 @ 8:12 am | #Link | Reply

  2. About the proportions: if you look carefully, I altered them with photoshop. In the original drawing, his right upper arm was about two times the length of his right forearm, now it’s just a tad longer. Let me tell you, that was not easy.

    Thanks for the comment.

    Flak — 3/1/06 @ 8:12 am | #Link | Reply

  3. Great job, Michael. You did well in preserving the original outline, and your shading work has improved well.

    One little nit picking I have to do is note is I think the stone should also be shaded and the cloak lacks strong,defining highlights and shadows. Light doesn’t shine relatively equally on all parts of the cloak, nor is the cloak without its interesting folds and creases, which you can kind of make up as you go along. The pants just need slightly higher highlights.

    Another issue is trickier. I can see you shaded the medallion, but, looking at metal object, one searches for stark contrasts between highlights and shadows. Shade as you did, but omit the blending process and see what happens.

    Finally, while I do so enjoy the color choice for your background, I suggest using a color and texture more suitable for boredom or fooling around. Try using the same background, but adding a layer of transparent, light grey clouds (the galaxy brushes in GIMP are good for this). And blending it around with the same brush tool.

    Now for the good parts:

    The hair and headband are very well done. Vibrant and well shaded.

    The face could use some more shadow in on the right opposite the light source and behind the strands of hair, but is otherwise well executed. Good choice of a skin tone.

    The knife, while some may say it is lopsided, I see as well drawn. I remember Gem’s weapon from HC as not being straight, so it serves it’s purpose. Well colored, but some more contrasted darks and lights would do it glory.

    His gloves and metal thingmabobs are well done, as are his shoes.

    So, general advice would be to explore your rabge of shades more, and to draw more contrasted shadows and highlights in dealing with metal.

    Jamesui — 3/1/06 @ 8:13 am | #Link | Reply

  4. Thanks a bunch for the help! The weapon he has is supposed to be somewhat distorted (though it is not the weapon you know -the Shark- which is his large, oddly shaped sword. Gem just has a love of oddly shaped things.

    I think the headband is the best part myself… the fingers came out weird… the plates on the gloves were a plus though.

    As stated, the stone was done in a very short time… I will increase detailing later.

    Flak — 3/1/06 @ 8:13 am | #Link | Reply

  5. gettin better

    Nio — 3/1/06 @ 8:13 am | #Link | Reply

  6. Oh, just noticed that proportions issue, which I think can be an easy fix. Try painting in a bit of that cream colored undershirt under his current armpit to shorten his forearm and bring the proportions closer to scale. This will make him appear to be leaning in a bit with his shoulders, but I don’t know if that’d be bad or not.

    Jamesui — 3/1/06 @ 8:14 am | #Link | Reply

  7. That would defy his posture. I’m fine with the way it is now, it’s a HUGE improvement in my book.

    Flak — 3/1/06 @ 8:14 am | #Link | Reply

  8. Yup, your definitly improving. Not much for me to comment on that hasn’t already been said. Keep going!

    Saurus — 3/1/06 @ 8:14 am | #Link | Reply

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