The Watchtower Keeper

[dux]

Hi guys,

this is my second post here. I am still a little bit unsecure about my paintings so, before i post for real, woould you mind critiquing it?

Thanks, any help is really appreciated! :-)

[DPFX]

Solid design. Nice mood. I really like your color choices.

Strange compositional choice putting the head smack in the middle.

The bump texture on the top of the head could use some size variation to make it more convincing and interesting.

Most of the piece feels too soft. The edges are uniformly fuzzy, and it is especially jarring when compared to the crisp detailing of the lower costume.

Despite these issues, the piece is pretty cool and, in my opinion, is nearly professional-quality work.

[janelim]

Great work. I like the lighting/mood of the piece.

I did notice that theres a lot of focus on his pendant because its rendered so brightly/sharply, but the use of soft brushes on his head makes it look a blurry and not the focal point of the piece.
Also, his black hair isnt reacting to the light source, so you could render that out a bit more.

Overall, nice work and interesting character design.

[LAG]

Way cool! Agree with the previous posts. Maybe a bit less white in the lighting on his head. Reminds me of the Dark Crystal.

[Iridyse]

There's way too much empty space at the top. I'd suggest re-positioning the figure so that the framing looks better. Look up some old masters paintings and see how they handled single portraits like this. The image does looks a bit fuzzy overall too. Some sharpening of details in the focal areas would help. Some rim lighting might help add color too.

[dux]

Thank you everybody for your help. When you are new at it and you have been looking for too long at painting, it is difficult not to miss the important things.
I tried to follow your instructions, and i tried to stay away from copying Iridyse`s painting. I didn't look at it as i was painting. :-)
But i think they look kind the same. Funny that in Photoshop the colors looked much better. Now it seems washed out.

Well, thanks again and this is why i love this forum!

Daniel.

[Thadas]

I am merely a student, but I would try to fill the empty space and sharpen the coloring a bit more like Iridyse's example. Also, the hair/feathers/whatever need some more definition.

The coloring, though, is just lovely. Keep at it!