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ajder β€” The Ghost

Published: 2006-09-05 06:22:46 +0000 UTC; Views: 2751; Favourites: 35; Downloads: 17
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Description Again, a pic depicting my two main characters: Jon and Draghi ( I really should try to diversify my drawing subjects... no?!? ). The elf and his dragon have been training to be accepted in the elven Order of the Ryders ( the suborder of dragon riders ). But through their training, Jon has became too dependent on his dragon to solve everything with his brute force, and because of this, Draghi himself has become overconfident in his own power. Jon's mentor ( Eryanor Windflight ) decided that they bolth needed to be thought a lesson. Jon needed to learn that he can't always depend on his dragon for everything, and Draghi himself needed to learn that beying big and powerfull is not always an advantage. Eryanor sent the two to the south-western corner of the Shade Forest, a place were there is a large nest of Fireflies ( wasp like insects, with the agressiveness of hornets but with the sting of a normal honeybee and a lifestyle similar to farmer ants as in they live of a fungus that grows on decomposing mushromes, and chemical light displays similar to actual fireflies ( with the exception that the colore is orange-red not green )). Of course neither of them knew what they would be facing here, but it would become all too aparent as they got too close to the hollow trunk of a dead tree were the hive was situated. At first everything was quiet but then the inside of the log lit up to a almost blinding light and an infernal buzzing sound shreaked through the darkness of the woods as at least two thousand fireflies swarmed from the log. The two needed to flee of course, for there was no way to confrunt them ( Draghi can't breath fire yet ). And not even Draghi himself is imune to the stings of the fireflies because his scally hide ( unlike that of reptiles ) is not compact. His scales are imbeded in to a softer leathery hide like feathers to a bird, and the atacking insects easelly got beneath his scales and stung him. In the end it was Jon that had to literally pull his dragon away from the nest with a swarm of angry insects on their trail. The reason I called this pic "The ghost" is because neither of them had ever seen such insects, and because Draghi could not detect the presence of any animal, the idea of a ghost did cross their minds. Of the two, Draghi is the most scared ( surprised? ), but he expresses his fear by trying to make himself look agressive and imposing ( and pulling his master's body closer to his own so he could better protect him in case of an atack ). This strategy would normally work against most willd beasts and even other foes... but not against these insects wich are not one bit impressed by his display.

On a technical level, this is my first real atempt at drawing a fully frontal shot of a dragon, and so it's not exactly what I had in mind, but it's ok for now. I also could have done much more with the background, but I did not want to get it too complex least it would take the focus away from the chars... still, I could have done more... laysyness is a savadge enemy. And the terain is not flat, the two are standing on a flat surface arount the dead tree, after wich, just beyond Draghi's hind paws, the gound slopes downwards... is why the perspective looks a little scrwy. ANd I did not compleet the eyes of either char intentionally ( because when ever I do, they end up looking dum... ).
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Comments: 63

ajder In reply to ??? [2010-06-09 15:12:54 +0000 UTC]

old art, haven't done traditional drawings in a while, but thanks for the suggestion!

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Aerozopher In reply to ajder [2010-06-09 17:39:18 +0000 UTC]

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retroboy78 [2010-01-02 08:54:12 +0000 UTC]

Yes, I absolutely love how you depict the anatomy of these characters. Thay are all so amazing. I wish I could pull it off myself!

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ajder In reply to retroboy78 [2010-01-02 09:40:50 +0000 UTC]

thanks... just keep practicing..

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DSil [2007-09-09 07:53:10 +0000 UTC]

Cool! I like the story behind it.

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ajder In reply to DSil [2007-10-07 11:31:25 +0000 UTC]

thanks...

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Rastaban26 [2007-08-12 18:24:41 +0000 UTC]

OMG. Amazing. Especially this beautiful shading. I like this image very much.

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ajder In reply to Rastaban26 [2007-08-19 19:04:35 +0000 UTC]

thanks...

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Decarabia69 [2007-06-27 14:51:41 +0000 UTC]

I honestly couldn't think of a thing I'd do to make this drawing better, Ajder! Some people mentioned the shading, but I'm guessing that the light source is directly in front of Jon and Draghi (from the fireflies) so there might not be any shadows noticable from the front view.

What attracted my eye to this drawing was the contrast and I think you've worked that well. The two character subjects draw the eye immediately and the proportions look just fine.

As far as any other criticisms, I can't see how any would stand as serious critique, how many people have actually SEEN elven warriors being protected by dragons? It's your world, and the whole story and illustration are extremely well done!

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ajder In reply to Decarabia69 [2007-06-27 18:07:20 +0000 UTC]

well... yes... light is sapposed to come bolth from the elf's lantern and from the nest of fireflies in front...

But then again... anatomy in this pic isn't very good... the dragon still has a lot of human features... wich I'm trying to get read of in favore of more reptilian/saurian features... and the elf's anatomy... what can I say... I do not master human anatomy very well...

what I was pleased with in this pic was the dragon's frontal shot at the head... it's the first successfull frontal head shot of a dragon I ever did... it's suprisingly diffiuclt to draw dragons from this angle...

ANyways... thanks for stoping by and for the comments...

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Decarabia69 In reply to ajder [2007-06-28 01:07:10 +0000 UTC]

The pleasure was all mine! I love dragons and think you should retain some of the human features you've managed to instill in them. It makes them seem more sympathetic to mankind. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy scary, evil dragons too, but have a guardian like that would be really cool!

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ajder In reply to Decarabia69 [2007-06-28 04:17:58 +0000 UTC]

ugh... I was refearing to anatomical features... and in that respect I'm trying my best to obtain a model that is as close to beying a viable one as I can... for example in this one, hiw front paws do not look like paws at all... they look more like hands... and that is not ok... in my view they would be paws... and if I get that in my head... than so it must be... I do not enjoy dragons with human anatomical features at all because they seem even more unreal then they usually do... whille a dragon with paws, to me... seems a bit more belivable...

I'm having difficulty understanding if, by features, you were refearing to the physical aspect or the psichological aspect... physically, dragons are nothing like humans... and I want to get them to look that way... but psychologically, I would imagin that they have several things in common, mostly refearing to the emotions, and part of inteligence... so in that respect... they may be similar to humans...

Personally... I am not a very big fan of evill dragons... I never really drue an evill dragon...

What I like depicting the most is big scary looking dragons that have a soft side... and I like exploring such a dragon's fealings... it's quite fun...

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Decarabia69 In reply to ajder [2007-06-28 14:53:50 +0000 UTC]

No, I meant the psychologial aspect of dragons - their expressions mainly.

I can understand why you wouldn't be a fan of evil dragons, but if good dragons existed, there would also be evil dragons, or dragons who would be more willing to give into their "meat-eating" instincts (not so much evil, but giving into instinct more readily).

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ajder In reply to Decarabia69 [2007-06-28 16:55:16 +0000 UTC]

oh... I never sed I denny evill dragons... I just don't like depicting them ( I mean... I see those kaind of thragons everywere... were there are dragons depicted... there's a 90% chance they are evill... so I just concentrate on the other side )... but then again, if you take a closer look at the dragon character that is depicted in all my drawings... you will notice that he isn't exactly an angel hymself...

What I like about him is that he is quite streightforward about his intentions... if he loves and respects somebody ( wich is the case of his master and adoptive parent ) he will protect him and be submissive to him... and he dost so folowing his race's instincts... in the wild, he would have behaved identically to wards his natural parents...

But he is quite suspicious of mostly everybody else... and when something manages to tick him off... all hell will break loose and he won't stop till he tastes the flesh of those he hates ( I haven't really explored his more agressive side all that much... but you can catch a glimpse of it in my "Rage" pic )... when it comes to anger, my dragon char is quite prone to violance... and yes he is mostly carnivorous... mostly because, he will eat fruits on ocasion... as treats... but his diet mostly consists of meat... and it dosen't really matter to him what kaind of meat it is...

And it's up to his elven master to try and keep the dragon's willd instincts in check ( because he is the only one that hthe dragon respects... )... I just love exploring the situations that will arise between the dragon's inteligence, instinct and emotions... where instinct is the meaddle ground...

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Decarabia69 In reply to ajder [2007-06-29 03:41:09 +0000 UTC]

That's what I love about your dragons and your art. You instill a protectiveness to your dragons that I've never seen anywhere!

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ajder In reply to Decarabia69 [2007-06-29 06:31:27 +0000 UTC]

I'm sure there are other artists whci are much better at it then me...

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Decarabia69 In reply to ajder [2007-06-29 13:18:49 +0000 UTC]

That's certainly true of anyone, and should be one reason that ALL artists continue to perfect their art. I think you are particularly good at what you do.

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ajder In reply to Decarabia69 [2007-07-02 04:24:28 +0000 UTC]

I thank you for your words... still I need a heck of a lot more work to improve... but hten again... dosen't everybody???

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Decarabia69 In reply to ajder [2007-07-02 16:42:08 +0000 UTC]

Yes, that's the best thing about art - the road ahead is just as long for the accomplished artist as it is for the beginning artist. There is ALWAYS room for improvement!

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ajder In reply to Decarabia69 [2007-07-02 17:45:41 +0000 UTC]

I agree... that's bolth the beauty and the uglyness of art...

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SophieDragon [2006-11-22 01:17:03 +0000 UTC]

This is quite good! What can I do? Well some shadow under the feet would add depth and maybe the eyes... They would be cool if they were colored or had slit-like pupil. And a little more shadow seperating the dragon from the human, but it is very good ^_^

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ajder In reply to SophieDragon [2006-11-22 06:58:06 +0000 UTC]

yea, more shadows would probably have made the pic better, but I guess it's too late now, since I am not going to go and reedit it... but I will keep it in mind for future pics... and thanks for stoping by...

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SophieDragon In reply to ajder [2006-11-22 20:02:24 +0000 UTC]

Oh your welcome^_^ I like your art!

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ajder In reply to SophieDragon [2006-11-22 20:37:00 +0000 UTC]

yours is nice as well...

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SophieDragon In reply to ajder [2006-11-23 02:53:57 +0000 UTC]

Thanks ^_^

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Dazvinik [2006-11-22 00:32:01 +0000 UTC]

I think this piece is one of my favorites of yours. You really are an amazing pencil artist. ((You are using pencil, correct? Controlling charcoal to that level would be nothing short of tedious)) You put a great amount of detail in your work, which is commendable, and your use of contrast/a strong light source in this picture is beautiful. The dragon’s expression is also exceptional. Not many are able to put believable expressions on dragonic faces. They either end up looking too reptilian and stoic, or cartoonish. Yours are effective, believable, and emotional. I also must say, I love the mushrooms. Taking care to show some of them crushed beneath your character’s feet is a nice touch.

My only suggestions, although they have been said before, is to continue your work with anatomy. The only way I have found to improve is to practice, constantly. And I myself feel as if I suck a great deal at human anatomy. I would recommend finding pictures of artistic nudes to work with, if you are unable to work with a live model. Sometimes pictures are actually stronger learning tools, despite the stigma that has been placed upon them. Also copying dynamic poses and anatomy in comic books can be helpful. Making a lot of gesture drawings can be very effective practice and a good way to warm up for a longer, more serious attempt.

Also, books are a great way to learn. Burne Hogarth has written some excellent books on human anatomy, facial structure, and clothing. They are definitely worth looking into. Attempt to do some self portraits, draw yourself in a mirror, or draw portraits of others from life or photograph. Practice and perseverance are the only way to make weaknesses into strength, but from what I have seen, you are quite capable.

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ajder In reply to Dazvinik [2006-11-22 07:52:51 +0000 UTC]

Well, I personally couldn't draw from real life a living creature ( or a object )... I suck at that thing, I work solelly with referance pics. And I have an artist's anatomy book by Andrew Loomis, and that's were I got the little bit of anatomy I DOO know... cause if I did not have that i would seriously be lost. THe problem is It's in digital format and I only have it on my old comp, and there's no way I can copy it to my new one, and I don't get access to my old comp that much.

And I will keep practicing... thanks for stoping by...

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Dragonspet6790 [2006-11-16 00:13:25 +0000 UTC]

Holy %$&* wish I could draw dragons that good I mean people in my class say they are good when i try but holy S^!* this is wicked.

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ajder In reply to Dragonspet6790 [2006-11-16 19:19:01 +0000 UTC]

funny, nobody I meet in real life is noticably impressed with my art... funny, isn't it...

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Dragonspet6790 In reply to ajder [2006-11-17 21:17:50 +0000 UTC]

I thing your art is pretty cool, don't worry I get that alot to, I love it because it has Dragons.

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ajder In reply to Dragonspet6790 [2006-11-17 21:28:22 +0000 UTC]

oh well...

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subearanhuman [2006-11-07 23:36:59 +0000 UTC]

this is pretty damn good. how long have you been drawing/sketching etc? i can see you have a good idea of form and you're definately on your way to getting it just right.

i know one thing that helped me a lot with the human pysique was a book full of "live models" pictures. so i kinda got to skip that part of a class and get the benefits still.

i am amazed still at your abiltiy to shadow. i wish i had such insight.

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ajder In reply to subearanhuman [2006-11-08 05:44:41 +0000 UTC]

well, for human ( and a bit of my dragon) anatomy detaills I use a book by some guy ANdrew something ( I forget his name right now ) wich is based on anatomy for artists, detailing bone structure, muscle structure, and other finer detaills, problem is I do not get around to actually going about it as well as I should... just take a peak from time to time to see this and that.

As for how long, well, I have been doodeling around for, oh 6 years now... yea, I know, for 6 years I should have been much better at this... I know...

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subearanhuman In reply to ajder [2006-11-10 23:24:38 +0000 UTC]

actually i think it's really good for six years...i've been drawing for seventeen years, and i don't think i've come as far in my ability to shade like that.

that's good that you have a book like that for anatomy. studying those things does wonders for ...well, everything

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ajder In reply to subearanhuman [2006-11-11 06:23:16 +0000 UTC]

yea, imagin what a boost it would be for me if I actually read it.

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Xtitan77 [2006-11-03 21:15:26 +0000 UTC]

cool

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ajder In reply to Xtitan77 [2006-11-04 18:16:10 +0000 UTC]

GDI!

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Xtitan77 In reply to ajder [2006-11-05 07:39:05 +0000 UTC]

huh whats with GDI! ???

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ajder In reply to Xtitan77 [2006-11-05 14:14:52 +0000 UTC]

well, you got their logo, you should tell me...

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Xtitan77 In reply to ajder [2006-11-06 20:40:01 +0000 UTC]

hehe i know yes now anyway what should i tell you... that i like GDI and builded once 100 bombers or what what should i tell you?

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ajder In reply to Xtitan77 [2006-11-06 22:47:50 +0000 UTC]

you know, you aren't the only one who likes that game, or the GDI. Oh, the bases I have built... just a little tweaking of the rulles can yeald almost endless posibilities...

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Xtitan77 In reply to ajder [2006-11-07 12:08:02 +0000 UTC]

lol
do you know how to record what you are doing? because i have a not bad base and i wanna film it and i am just asking if you know how to record stuff like that

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ajder In reply to Xtitan77 [2006-11-07 12:39:04 +0000 UTC]

a rudementari methode, the game has an option to take ingame pics, and I use it to take pic after pic after pic, and then stitch them up in me-paint in one big map. I have gotten through most of the GDI campaign and most of the NOD one like that, and I got the pics to proove it. Though I do not put much credit on gameplay, but rather on building the base. I'm a base builder, not a commander.

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Xtitan77 In reply to ajder [2006-11-07 20:03:42 +0000 UTC]

lol but the stupid sthing is that my ooooold stupid laptop cant screen-capture it doesent have that function
thats why i am saving for a new comp

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ajder In reply to Xtitan77 [2006-11-08 06:11:59 +0000 UTC]

I do not think it depends on the type of computer you have. As I sed, it is a INTERNAL game option, if you go about the controls in the menue-options-keybord-interface area you will find the option "screen capture"and it defaults to Ctrl+C ( and this is what I ended up with after such an experiment :

[link]

(GDI campaign mission 1: Reinforce Phoneix base ) I'm thinking of redoing this particular one, cause I do not like how it looks... my others look better, and sorry for the small size, the actual size is in-game size ( 2111x1236 ), but the site I uploaded to only alows 800x800 resolutioon max).

I really doubt that the fact that you got a laptop will change that option any, but be my guest and not try it ( or maybe you already did ).

P.S. If you happen to have ANY idea on how to add more then 255 items to the building scrool please notify me... If I add more, they simply won't show up, si why I had to give up on several nice buildings. As well, there dosen't seem to be any aparent way to place roads... a pirtty.

And lastly, if you know how to change the damnable colores douring campaign missiones, I would also apreciate it greattly ( red and gold are probably the worst colores they could have picked ).

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Xtitan77 In reply to ajder [2006-11-08 15:21:31 +0000 UTC]

yeah the link is so cool i like it
and anyway i DID try some times ctrl+c and stuff like that and i did some screencaptures i just cant find them in: my documnts,C:\Westwood\SUN and the pics are not there i they would be there then i would post my gdi base on toDA

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ajder In reply to Xtitan77 [2006-11-08 18:12:33 +0000 UTC]

when I do it it saves them IN my game directory ( but by mine is Games/TiberianSun )

Hmm... you got a game with instalation and the works??? DO NOT tell me it's an original game... it would be very hard for me to belive that, seying as how I have never seen such a game in my life. SO... you got movies? I only ever saw a triler for C&C and it was SUPER.
And the pics get saved under a PCX format, wich one then has to transform to Jpg or other such formats if one desires to stitch them.

THere IS one thing you can try, at the options screen, with the screen capture option selected a text is displayed that the files will be saved with the name ... and it sez a name... try doing a "search" on your comp for that name and see of anything comes up.

as for the maps... I do not know, I am tempted to load them to DA my self, but then again, it takes a heck of a long time to upload them as they are rather big. the pic I sent you was one of the smallest maps I got, and ot took a solid 5 min to upload, I dread to think how long a really big map would take to upload.

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Xtitan77 In reply to ajder [2006-11-09 11:40:51 +0000 UTC]

thanks for your help never mind ive got it now
my brother just had time and he showed me how it works and it worked but still thanks for the help
oh yeah should i tell you when i post my gdi base pictures on DA?
and anyway thank you a lot for helping me

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ajder In reply to Xtitan77 [2006-11-09 18:15:44 +0000 UTC]

well, aparently I was of no help to you at all, since your brother did everything... but yea, why not, let me know when your map makes it on and I see what you can do... then maybe I will think about posting my own maps here...

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Xtitan77 In reply to ajder [2006-11-09 19:57:12 +0000 UTC]

ill tell you when i post a few of pics

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