Evening Star WIP

[SebastianZ]

hi Ajinak,
I really like colors you have used, I'm not to experienced but I'll try to make some suggestions on how you could improve your work.

In the background tree trunks and leafy parts could get some dark tones, to build some form of 3d looks, right now they look tad flat. I really like the hair style, perhaps it could be even better if you'd add additional highlights. I can see by her torso and forehead shading that lightsource is somewhere high in front of here and if I'm right, there's something weird going with her brows- they have highlights as if light was coming from somewhere beneath her. Also, nose is bit too dark at the top (or tip..), it normally reflects light the best. There's something weird going on with her lower lip too, there's either too much skin around it or it's matter of too deep shade- when looking from far it appears like if she had her tongue out.

I hope it helps a bit, to sum it up I think you should see some photos or observe how light puts shades on face, rest is matter of technique and training and all of that is withing your grasp. Wish you all the best and keep posting :)

cheers

[ajinak]

Thanks a lot for your comment, Sebastian :) this was exactly what I wished for.. I thought there was something wrong in her face, but I wasn't able to find out what - and now I know it was just all caused by these little mistakes you mentioned. Sometimes I paint and don't think enough (or I get blind?), and also light source has always been my common problem. I'm going to work on it soon, so as soon as I have something new, I will post it. Hope it will be better :)

[ajinak]

So I finally made some quick touches yesterday - and I will try to continue today. I have to admit it's always hard for me when I start changing the whole expression. It's not based only on those mentioned mistakes, I really wanted her to be a bit different - more like a vulnerable pale being with undefinable age (or something more) in her eyes. Well, I know I staked myself quite difficult goal, but I like to challenge myself even if I probably don't achieve it in this picture :) I hope I'll post something new soon...

EDIT: Don't look at the forest much, it looks completely different now.. I've used some textures and more bright colours.. I don't want it to be realistic (more likely decorative), but at least a bit more friendly :) I'll probably post 'up to date stage' in the evening..

http://ajinak.wz.cz/obr/elfice002.jpg

[ajinak]

Something new.. I know everything could be done better, but finally I feel quite satisfied with the upper half of the picture..

http://ajinak.wz.cz/obr/evenstar600.jpg

[sweetravin]

It's great to see how this progresses. She's definately been approved apon in the face. I'm wondering if the whites of her eyes are too yellow or is that what you intended? I'm eager to see how this evolves.

[ajinak]

It's great to see how this progresses. She's definately been approved apon in the face. I'm wondering if the whites of her eyes are too yellow or is that what you intended? I'm eager to see how this evolves.

Thanks a lot :) I started with yellow whites intentionaly, it's hard to explain why, but I just liked it.. once during the work I thought about it and tried to make them white as 'it should be', but it just didn't work.. it's strange.. well, now I'm planning to leave it as it is, so I'm a bit curious if this unusual colour bothers :)

[ajinak]

update :) I consider it being almost finished (just going to fix her clothes and a bit hair), because I don't want to overwork it (and overwork myself as well :D) and also further exams are getting closer.. I was thinking a lot about that scaf, first I was planning to make it more decorated, but I guess I leave it as it is, a bit transparent and quite simple..

http://ajinak.wz.cz/obr/evenstar600_2.jpg

[sweetravin]

She's breathtaking! The only thing that bothers me about the image is the cloth flying arround her. It doesn't look as convincing as the beatuiful scarf and dress you made for her. I'm not sure how exactly you should fix it- except maybe looking at some references for the material that its supposed to be. I'm thinking that it's supposed to be silk- but at first glace I thought it was maybe tree bark. Maybe just some smooting it out would do the trick. This image is just lovely and has such a serene quality about it.

[ajinak]

She's breathtaking! The only thing that bothers me about the image is the cloth flying arround her. It doesn't look as convincing as the beatuiful scarf and dress you made for her. I'm not sure how exactly you should fix it- except maybe looking at some references for the material that its supposed to be. I'm thinking that it's supposed to be silk- but at first glace I thought it was maybe tree bark. Maybe just some smooting it out would do the trick. This image is just lovely and has such a serene quality about it.

I'm glad you like her, she's just a big challenge because of the fact I started her without reference :) (and obviously made many mistakes because of that) Thanks for the note about that scarf - I'm worrying about it right now, I made it in the begining as a part of the whole composition, something like a reference to old masters paintings (sort of a drapery) and to have some opposing elements (rough trees, smooth silk). That smoothing you suggested might work, I tried it just quickly now and I'm going to fix it more somehow.. hope I'll fix it enough and don't have to get it out :)

http://ajinak.wz.cz/obr/evenstar600_3.jpg

[ajinak]

Finally ended :) I'm going to post it in the showcase gallery now.. (and I'll try my luck by posting it for this years Exotique as well, but it would be a real miracle, if I had chance among all those masterpieces :D)
Thanks for all comments, they helped a lot!

EDIT: Here is the link (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=772289) to the finished piece in gallery, hope you will like it :)

[sweetravin]

You're very welcome! I really love this artwork. And happy to have found you on deviant art! Look forward to see all the new works you will create!

[ajinak]

You're very welcome! I really love this artwork. And happy to have found you on deviant art! Look forward to see all the new works you will create!

Thanks again, so I hope my future works will be worth watching :) I really appreciated feedback I got here, because funny thing is that I didn't get any single comment in showcase gallery (as usual) - so no matter what I think about it (and to be honest I can't fairly judge my own works), even though there were quite a lot pageviews, still I can only guess what those people who looked at it thought :) (this is the reason why I like to put it rather in wip thread..)

By the way, I posted some details there - http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=772289

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