Fantasy Warrior !

**steve-h** · August 1st, 2005, 10:36 PM

Hiya,

I'm pretty new to this forum, and to digital painting really, although i've been painting in oils for some years now.

Anyway here's a WIP. It's a personal project and I guess its about 60% done.

I'd really appricate some feeback from you guys...

Thanks

Steve H

**halflife99** · August 1st, 2005, 10:39 PM

Awsome work.
Gona have a looksy around, lots of real eye candy.

**madster** · August 1st, 2005, 10:51 PM

The giant copyright text with your name in the upper corner seems somewhat pretentious, as anyone interested in stealing this piece wouldn't have much trouble cloning that out, but if it gives you a false sense of security, go for it...

The work itself is nice, particularly for the flaws you have painted in, such as the chunk out of the right horn of the helmet, the dirty fingertips on the right hand, and the chinks out of the axe blade edges.

The shadow obliterating the eyes seems overwrought, as does the fur on the vest, unless you intend to paint that level of detail into the beard, the metal of the axe blade, and the fabric of the shirt and pants. But, as some extreme detailing is displayed on the wooden handle and the lower part of the helmet metalwork, you may be intending to address all those areas and more...

A very nice piece so far, although you still need to work out your light source/shadow discrepancies, as his left side displays too much light refraction for the blockage that should be created by the blade and his own body.

The final version is shaping up to be quite impressive!

~M

**halflife99** · August 1st, 2005, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by madster

The giant copyright text with your name in the upper corner seems somewhat pretentious, as anyone interested in stealing this piece wouldn't have much trouble cloning that out, but if it gives you a false sense of security, go for it...

Lol...

**steve-h** · August 1st, 2005, 11:13 PM

Hello M,

I put that giant text in there for a reason, I was just trying to get it to stand out, I was trying to get someone’s attention a while back for a job you see. So It's not because I think someone will steal it... haa, I don't really care if they do to be honest. But they should at least wait till its finished if they do !

The rest of your feedback is top notch! Thanks for taking the time to look at my work and give such detailed C&C's, I really appreciate it.

Your right about the light source. I've not totally made my mind up where exactly that's coming from yet, only the general direction really...

It's an unusual pic for me, I generally plan things much more than this and would normally have things like the light direction sorted out by now, but I am just painting it on feeling and making it up as I go along.

I'll have another update in a couple of days.

Steve h

**Anders89** · August 2nd, 2005, 08:07 AM

Im sorry to say that vikings did not really use much helmets with horn and big axes.

Actually vikings where more like the german barbarians they raided they pillaged and only the leader had big rich expensive helmets. but the pelts where used by special "classes" in the society these most often use bear and wolf skin and where the so called "berzerkers" They did not rely on armor but instead went berserk with the extra speed u get without wearing heavy armor.

Its only some others than the viking chieftains(leading the battles) that had expensive equipment and that is the Jarls they often were mounted on horses and when entering battle they unmounted because they got more honor from fighting on the ground.

What im trying to say is that next time do the viking more barbaric!

yea and btw a axe that big and heavy and would be almost impossible to use effective in battle.

Plz edit him a little instead of making the stereotypical "viking" make him look more angry raged and barbaric minded.

Im no good at anatomy but isnt his left arm a little weird?

**madster** · August 2nd, 2005, 09:42 AM

Barbaric, shmarbaric! It's called "Artistic License." This piece is already painted, and pretty well done at that. Anyone viewing this piece has no illusions of whether he is a berzerker, a hun, or any other ancient warrior. They would label this guy a Viking, helmet accuracy or not...

Next time you're illustrating a textbook on the "History of the Vikings," you can take the steps to make sure your rendering is more factual. I certainly wouldn't edit this piece to make him more barbaric...

Maybe Capital One should go back and edit their stereotypical Vikings out of work as well...

~M