yet another barbarian

[~KJK~]

this was nothing more than a study, which ended up something more (as they usually do) So, i think theres something wrong with the legs, and the pose looks way too stiff. any pointers how to deal with them?

[Bai Fan]

The pose looks really stiff because his elbows and knees are almost completely extended in the locked position, and there really isn't any contrapasto in his gesture which is what happens when someone relaxes into a pose.

The center of gravity is also slightly off and it feels like he is going to fall over towards the axe side.

The belt buckle also throws off my perception of the hips because it is aimed directly at us. That helps to make the hips (since they are hidden by the skirt) feel like they are aimed at us too, which opposed how the belly is resolving.

Also, the light source on the hair doesn't match the light source on the shoulder.

[Bai Fan]

I also think his pecs and navel are too high.

[~KJK~]

im not so familiar with all the terms and such, what do you mean by pecs?

[~KJK~]

I was also thinking something like this. I dont know if it makes the pose any less so stiff, but at least it feels a bit more natural and makes the composition more dramatic

[SoulBeaver]

Well, you only changed one arm, and the weapon so everything Bai Fan said still stands Pecs = Pectorals, his chest. The two things sitting side by side with nippels. They're too high, I share the view ^^ I dig the new weapon though, halberds rock, though I think they're usually carried in an erect position.

Right now the necklace looks painted on his chest and not something that is worn ON his chest. His hair looks very straight although we're led to believe he just chopped a man's head off. I have an explanation for this: He wore a hair-keep-in-place hat for the time Sorry for the silly, lame sarcasm, but I think it kills the mood of the picture if he's bloodied and scarred all over and then has nicely kempt hair.

Also, he has fairly small feet for a man, and I think the skirt looks awfully stiff. Because you made very subtle streaks that curve in under the belly it makes him look like he has some weight and a small gut. Barbarians don't usually have a gut.

Cheerio! ^^

[JBurrough]

I think by 'pecs' Bai Fan meant the 'pectoral muscles' or chest muscles. The way you present those muscles in this piece suggest that his shoulders are pushed forward as if he were reaching ahead of him... that's usually when those muscles round out that way. As his shoulders are beside or a little behind him in this pose, those pectoral muscles (chest) should be elongated and flatter - stretched, as it were.

I agree that he seemed to be leaning to his left (viewer right) - but the change you made clears that up perfectly (imo).

A few quick thoughts:

- the strap on his chest seems very tight, suggesting something weighty on his back or a tight fit. Perhaps loosening it up a bit, or accentuate the 'squeeze' on his skin to give it a bit more realism? Maybe lose it altogether, as it doesn't seem to serve a function that we can see... if you want adornment on his torso, perhaps tattoo's or a necklace of some sort?

- he seems to be holding the head at an angle contrary to his grip on the hair. Perhaps tilting the head upwards (so that it is looking up) would help? Or tilt it downwards and change the grip so that he's holding it by hair located in the back of his head, something along those lines.


Hope it helps - great work btw, really love the wounds you gave him.

Cheers,

//JB


(SoulBeaver commented while I was typing - but I'll leave my thoughts as they differ a little. No offense mate )

[Venger]

He seems really short (I know his head is bowed slightly but still)
What you have going on with the shoulders and head doesn't match the rest of the torso (they appear hunched but the rest is upright or that how it seems to me.) I'm sure you'd see the clavicle as well.
Belly button is too high - should be down nearer the belt buckle.
The knees are very high making the thighs very short and the lower leg very long.
Personally I use 7 1/2 heads high, but you could go 8 for heroic.
These are all just my opinions (feel free to ignore), I struggle with it as well.
B/W OP because it's quicker (not 100% accurate) but hope it helps (it was good exercise for me to do from my head)

edit:Blimey you all type fast!

Oh I prefer the new weapon arm...

[~KJK~]

JBurrough and Venger, thanks alot! lowered his navel and PECS and tried to make them look more stretched, but came out nothing convincing. Venger, thanks a lot for your paintover, i like it! but im not going for such a heroic look with this pic. I totally agree what you said about the head and collarbone, so i lifted the head a bit. also lowered his knees and enlonged his legs to make him look more taller

[Venger]

Yeah but the knees are still to high

[~KJK~]

Then ill keep lowering them until youre satisfied

[vandalrat]

This is nothing like Venger's amazing paintover, but it may help a bit.

I lowered the navel and moved his leg a bit to give him more stability.

[Grondhammar]

There's something else a bit different about this version, can't quite place it...

[~KJK~]

Is the belly button low enough? Made some adjustments and defined the whole piece and added some texture to the background

[Duman]

Its getting better! I would try to space the pecks out a little more now, it looks like he has too much space under his chest now. Adding blood to the axe seems like a good idea to me.

[~KJK~]

Not quite yet finished, but close. Any last minute advise? have i forgotten anything?

[spaztastic]

The hair that is being used as a handle on the dead guy is to lax. It needs to have more pull to it. It looks kinda loose right now...That's my only input, I am not qualified to say more yet. Other than that I love this piece very dark I like it!

[Jason Rainville]

I really REALLY hate to add another paintover, but there are anatomical issues that would be much more easily described with visuals: