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Luminela — Check Mate
Published: 2012-03-05 19:23:00 +0000 UTC; Views: 1806; Favourites: 47; Downloads: 47
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Description
Ugh, I have been working on this one for over a month. It has taken forever.This isn't supposed to be any particular Zelda and Ganondorf from any of the games. So I kind of combined elements of different designs. I would include some kind of witty dialogue between them in this comment box, but I'm drawing a blank right now. Pretty sure my brain is fried after finally finishing this.
Textures from cgtextures.com
To check out the steps and whatnot, visit my blog: [link]
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Comments: 21
Concept:
I never played any of the Zelda's game, so let me concentrate only in the piece itself.
The motive is pretty simple, not very original, but effective.
I personally liked their expressions and the overall mood.
Techniques:
The reduced color palette and the digital painting technique is well done. I miss textures in the curtains and in their cloches, though.
particularly the window contrast is very well applied.
And it is very nice seeing the anatomic proportions done right.
Composition:
Although all the scene elements are done nicely individually, their composition in the scene could be improved.
* Considering the woman is sitting straight in the chair's backrest, maybe it would look more confortable if she is moved slightly away from the table.
* Maybe the "columns" in the first plane is unecessary.
I feel the scene something choky, so maybe expanding the viewframe would give them more space.
Also, the "visual weight" that defines the element's "focal order" in the scene is pretty confusing. The central element (chessboard) that (I think should be) the main, is so simple and low in the frame, that struggles with the larger elements above (the faces) to get attention. (gestalt things).
Lightning:
* The overall rear light of the scene is interesting and well applied. The light areas in their face are very nicely marked.
But some shadowing details is a bit confusing.
* There are shadows cast from the pieces, but not from the rear window frame and grid. And having raindrops in the window, I would expect a more displaced shadows.
I would suggest studing more about the "3 point light" technique and light reflexion. A better control over "rim lights" helps a lot detailing shadowed parts. (Not considering the "over-glowing" ears.)
* Maybe an additional candle light would be interesting.
I mean, just imagine yourself, as a woman, playing chess with an man in a closed little dark room, lightened only by the moonlight of a rainy day.
Or, maybe you could consider using a (storm) lightining, for a more dramatic version.
Motive:
* Considering they are royal persons, maybe a more detailed and remarkable dress embroidery and jeweries would bring them more glamour.
A little research about the chess game would be very welcome.
* The king piece is usually taller than queen.
* The board orientation is wrong, white square should be in right side for both players.
* Proportionally to the table, the board looks like having 10 rows instead of 8.
* Where is the other pieces?
* Is any reason for the man holding a black queen, and she is holding a white king?
* The pieces positioning is possible, but very improvable in a real game.
These kind of little miss would be excusable it was not the central subject.
As a chess player myself it bothers me a lot the "meaningless board" presented. A chessboard can hold a lot of simbolic meanings, but it is a pitty it is not used well in any way.
Final words:
The scene composition and lightning details could be improved.
However, the piece is generally well done, there is a interesting motive, a very good coloring and paint techniques, and a competent anatomic proportions.
Keep it up.
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Aaah, thank you so much for taking the time out to critique this! I definitely see what you mean. I struggle so much with composition and planning that I need to stay in those stages for longer. If I had done so, I think I could have done a better job (especially when it come to knowing about chess and the board itself). Again, thanks so much!
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Wow, this is so awesome!! I love the cool colors and the lighting, it definitely gives off this really moody atmosphere. I am very impressed!
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Oh, wonderful chess match. I wonder who is going to end this, if they want to end it at all.
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I love legend of Zelda and this piece is awesome! You're very good at colouring!
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Who says chess isn't hella sexy? I love the idea of Zelda vs Ganon over chess, wisdom and strategy going up against power and might. You've fulfilled a great fantasy for me in this piece, IttyBittyBug! THANK you!
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Yeah, I thought that the relationship between Ganondorf and Zelda was largely unexplored in the games. Thanks-I'm glad that you like it so much!
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I like the lighting in this one, the subtle contrast between the silver moonlight coming through the window in the center and the golden light of what I'm assuming are candles or lanterns somewhere behind them.
Also, stupid question: Is Ganondorf's diadem supposed to be glowing on its own or just reflecting light from somewhere else?
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Thanks! I'm really trying to practice with different types of lighting situations.
I could probably make the excuse that it's the moonlight, but it's kind of just glowing on it's own, haha. I went a little overboard with the airbrush.
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Maybe he uses it to distract his opponent. That'd be a Ganondorf thing to do.
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I'm assuming Ganondorf's king is behind his elbow or something.
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Yes, for the sake of composition, assume this.
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I realized it was to keep the focus on the other two pieces AFTER I posted the comment.
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Haha, no probs. I almost added a white knight to represent Link, but thought it would take away from the composition too.
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Lovely composition. A fresh fanart piece and wonderful work with the lighting.
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Oh, thank you! The lighting was probably what took me the longest to get down.
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