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View Full Version : Amazon / Parasite, Ricardo Roberto van Duuren (2D)


RicoD
10-01-2008, 09:06 PM
http://features.cgsociety.org/newgallerycrits/g76/11476/11476_1222895196_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/newgallerycrits/g76/11476/11476_1222895196_large.jpg)

Title: Amazon / Parasite
Name: Ricardo Roberto van Duuren
Country: Netherlands
Software: Photoshop

I participated in the 'forthnight' workshop (what happened to it anyway?). The theme that time was "Amazon". I took the idea of warrior women sacrificing one breast to become better archers and mixed it with parasites. I forgot the name, but the kind that end up consuming the host. The idea's that the parasite provides her with massive power, but feeds on her energy in return. I wanted her to look strong, yet strangely unhealthy. I didn't want to overdo the last part, since I was afraid I'd end up with a fashion model, which I didn't want. *Please note that this comment only relates to this painting and is not a reflection on other preferences I may or may not have.*

I wanted to make a full piece using my final render as it's base. It's been quite a while though and I've been doing some other things in between. I felt it was time to finish this piece, even though there's so much still bothering me. It'll have to wait until I become better. I intend to come back to this one to correct those things at a later stage, but right now this is the most I can get out of it. Some in-betweens can be found in my WIP thread.

Anyway, I consider this my first "real" painting. I did use a lot of references for the amazon, but it's not a study like some other pieces I did (which I didn't even bother to submit, but 3 are in my gallery. Different purpose: learning painting in Photoshop). Yet, I was unable to find a reference with an arm raised like this with similar build and lighting.

Of course I'm open for any useful critics and will be most grateful for them.

Actual size 2828x4700 pixels (I know, weird size, but I wanted a bit more space vertically)
Painted in Photoshop, using mostly the solid round brush. I also used 2 of Martha Dahlig's brushes from her ImagineFX tutorial on painting human skin (very educational).
Time: I stopped keeping track after a while, but I think it took less time to create the universe as we know it.

Hopefully I won't need 45 layers for my next piece. My poor laptop's threatening with organized strikes! Or maybe that's my OS, I don't know ...

Thaldir
10-04-2008, 02:52 PM
Glad to see something new of yours, Rico. :cool:

I love the organic feel you have given to the 'parasite-equipment' there's no doubt, even at first glance that we are dealing with two creatures in one, here.

RicoD
10-05-2008, 09:32 AM
Hey, thanks Tiziano! Always good to hear from you!

CybrGfx
10-05-2008, 03:44 PM
Arms don't bend that way without concentrated effort, and the assistance of the other arm.
http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/12981/31_2007/cow.jpg
The quiver has to be angled, because the arrows are long, and you are grabbing them from the fletch, then pulling them out. You can't do that straight up. The arm does not work that way...
The arm is bent low, not over the head, and the arrow is pulled from the quiver.
http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/9512/legolastw0.jpghttp://www.floridafrontiersmen.org/archeryF2.jpg

~C

haijin
10-05-2008, 03:56 PM
Given that she is shooting a double shoot behind her back at the guys on the ground , not pulling out arrows from the quiver, and, IMO a stunt like that is definitely 'heroic fantasy' only, even though I practice archery and love correct portraying of archers I see no reason for suggestion of real-life poses...

Now, if this was a picture of Maid Marian using a longbow, it would be a different thing.

RicoD
10-05-2008, 08:08 PM
Thanks CyberGfx and haijin! You always take so much time and effort to explain CyberGfx. I'll take it into note for when I revisit this piece, along with other suggestions I may receive.

I wonder though, is my right arm just bendy? Because I can position my arm like that just fine without using my left. Of course, I'm not pulling the string of a bow, so that may help. ;)

I knew I forgot some things. I should have added yellow stripes to the arrows. That way it's more clear that she's not wearing a quiver, but pulls the arrows from the parasite. Need to add that to the list as well.

There's definitely something weird with the arm though. Maybe it's the angle and positioning? Or maybe the position of where the hand would be is higher, so the converging lines of the 'string' ought to be higher as well ... maybe both? :shrug:If only I could find a reference of someone with long, slender arms pulling off something like this. Is there no Jimmy Hendrix of archers? ;)

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