Another update. I put his bent leg in a more 3 quarter view to fit his hips better. I continued further in refining the other characters in the background. Now I am going to try to finish the black and white by the end of the day Thursday and start on the color over the weekend.
Also, on another note, when I am in photoshop, the blacks are not as dark. Does anybody know if maybe it is showing up darker because of how I saved it? I used the ‘save for web’ feature. Anyways, enjoy!
Thanks!
Matt
GREAT WORK MATT!! I love the concept, and of course the it’s coming out great. Keep it up!!
J
Another update. Once again, just trying to get a first pass on the whole piece before I move into the color phase!
Thanks!
Matt
Thanks Nick! I’m going to paint the upper half of the comp and then move on to colors this weekend. Hopefully it comes together:)
Hey Matthew,
Your work is amazing. You have great talent from start to finish. You probably win on our team. Im new to this war and this is my first entry into anything. I just can’t wait to see it in color and if i was the judge you win first place! we only have 9 days left so gl to you man…peace…
Shogun, that is very flattering, thank you for the encouragement:) There is so much great work in this competition that I feel sorry for the judges who have to pick. Right now I’m just hoping I can finish! 
Gaeas, thanks! Here is my very first pass at colors I developed tonight. It is a long way off from complete. And if you were wondering, the main character will have a little bit of self illumination going on.
WOW i have a lot to do!!! Thanks for the encouragement everybody!
Thanks!
Matt
Really nice man, i think this is one of the best postings yet.
Your anatomy is very good. You really know how to frame your composition with all those pointing fingers and demons looking at the main character. When you put the color on top of the values , which BTW are great, did you use overlay??Keep working on it is amazing.
niko
Excellent work, its really taking shape, Im also enjoying the colors, are you thinking of keeping the daemons un saturated, if you are I thinks its a good idea because it draws more attention to the main guy. If you also keep them rather dark you wont have to work on their rendering as much. I envision them even a little darker to the point you dont notice them first glance and then as you focus more you keep exploring all the dudes, something like that. As you finish up Im sure a lot of the lines will be gone and youll have more of a solid feel. Anyhow I think this will be one great Illustration, keep it up bro! 
Thanks Martin! I never really have a full understanding of what I’ll be doing with the colors when I start. So most likely things will adapt and change as I progress.
Thanks Ataulfo! Hopefully it comes how I want it too!
Nick! Thanks for always encouraging me!
Hey Conor! Usually the starting place for me is to add color using the ‘color’ layer option. Some people use overlay, but i find that doesn’t give you the exact color you have selected. The color layer option will simply put the exact color you have over a black and white image, coloring it. After this i still suggest painting over top to help break up the monocromatic feel though:)
Live2contage! Thanks for sticking with me on this! I’m actually having trouble getting the background guys to the value I want. When I paint in photoshop they are much lighter than when I post the image on the net, annnd when i paint in painter. So things are weird. By the end, hopefully the eye will be at peace looking at the main character, and then enjoy a little walk around the rest of the piece to eventually rest once again on the main character. I did some work on the shoulders…right now they look like hot metal instead of ethereal…so i’m still working on that… hehe.
Another update! Some work on the main character. I have some visual goals to hit for him so he’ll be a challenge!
Thanks!
Matt
Looking at it now, most likely I will make his shoulders a different look than his legs. Its too much right now i think.
Shalom!
Matt
Another update:) It’s getting there. I’ve tried two nights in a row to refine the last human city in the background, within the portal, but landscapes are not my specialty! This is the next thing I have to resolve because it is a big source of light for the final image. Once I paint it I will then begin the final stage of lighting and making sure the eye is directed rightly.
My next update will most likely be my last:) And it will probably come either Sunday or Monday! Good luck everybody!
Thanks!
Matt
nice visual on the character like way it coming. Good color choice, I can not wait to see everyone end result. This work you have is amazing rock on man rock on!:buttrock:
ChaosShannon
DwIV
he’s on fire! alright thats nice, your lighting is also looking good, in general it’s exactly what I was expecting great job. One small thought. I would invest the rest of your time fixing up the dudes around him, because it look like the work put into them is inferior than the main guy witch would be normal. but if your shooting for something real pro, in my opinion everything needs to have the same quality standard (maybe the first row will be a little out of focus?).
So i guess what I’m saying is work work work. I’m going to be up all night (for the second time) and dont want to be the only one, ha! Tihie be cesher 
Hey All,
These are my final images. At some point you just have to call it done! I’ve learned so much doing this competition, so it was well worth it! I’m now going to enjoy some much needed rest! Shalom!
Thanks!
Matt
Great choice of colors.