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slyeagle — Before Lightning Strikes
Published: 2010-05-17 22:28:51 +0000 UTC; Views: 3027; Favourites: 64; Downloads: 30
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Description
Pencils: 12 hrs.PS CS3: 60ish hrs.
EDIT: After futzing around with it for most of the day, I finally produced a lighting mix I liked. For those of you who liked the old version, you can find it here in scraps.
The finished version of this . Or maybe not finished. I'm not 100% on the lighting mix, but I've been staring at it too long. I'd like it to be brighter, I guess, but brighter looks wrong. >.>
But let's just ignore that and go with, at long last, I've finished something!
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Comments: 52
What the...two critiques in one day? It's like the critique fairy visited me! ...did she have to pick my, what, least original piece?
Because let's face it, the dress is the only original-ish idea here. You could have put one point for originality and I would have called it fair. I didn't really have any lofty ideas here, just a dress design that came out well when I drew it so I had a little fun and finished it up. The character is fairly turbulent and troubled, so that lent itself to dramatic and moody colors, but half the fantasy books out there have covers that look something like this. Not to say I'm not pleased with the outcome - I'm glad you find it appealing as well.
On a side note, I find it strange that so many people like the sword, as that's the part that I hate the most. It was meant to be a more proper sword length, but the foreshortening chewed me up and spat me out.
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What the...two critiques in one day? It's like the critique fairy visited me! ...did she have to pick my, what, least original piece?
Because let's face it, the dress is the only original-ish idea here. You could have put one point for originality and I would have called it fair. I didn't really have any lofty ideas here, just a dress design that came out well when I drew it so I had a little fun and finished it up. The character is fairly turbulent and troubled, so that lent itself to dramatic and moody colors, but half the fantasy books out there have covers that look something like this. Not to say I'm not pleased with the outcome - I'm glad you find it appealing as well.
On a side note, I find it strange that so many people like the sword, as that's the part that I hate the most. It was meant to be a more proper sword length, but the foreshortening chewed me up and spat me out.
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I would suppose it is an accident then that the sword seems to fit so well with the character.
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Oh, I don't know about that. Her grip is very natural and the hilt and pommel look fairly accurate, but every time I look at the blade, I just think "fail." It's almost on another plain of existence compared the perspective in the rest of the picture.
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When I look at it more, I have to agree with you. Sheesh, it is becoming bleh. I suppose it's only a little mistake on this pretty good piece.
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Hehe, I should just keep my trap shut and no one would notice. 
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You can't help but get the feeling of anticipation here. Something is coming...and she is ready as she'll ever be. This is underscored by the hole in the clouds above, (calm before the storm effect) and her tense expression. The outfit is rather interesting. It's feminine but with practical touches. The skirt being is ruched up to allow for better leg movement. I get the feeling she is more of a traveler,who is prepared for any hazards she meets on the road.
The small shield I found intriguing. It really is meant for a woman to use. It can't be that heavy but at the same time, doesn't look effective. Unless your just using it to keep your opponent's weapon at bay.
The colours are very well suited to a traveler's want to not draw interest to themselves. But still is a very lovely shade that suits her red hair.
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Thank you for the critique!
On the small shield - it's a buckler, based on 14th century French designs if I recall. No, it won't do you much good against a volley of arrows or a javelin, but against another sword or a poleax it makes for very good defense in the right hands. Also, you can alway punch someone in the face with it.
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You're very welcome!
I think I remember that now. We saw such things in an armor display in England.
Yes! An unexpected facial assault! A great maneuver.
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The figure in the image looks to be quite young and innocent when you first take in her face and hair. Then your eyes see the sword in her hand and the shield raised defensively. The title, Before Lightning Strikes brings into mind that the character is able to see or know something that we, as viewers, cannot and that she is preparing herself for a disheartening scenario. This makes it obvious that the character is not as innocent as we first believed. And that this image is only one single reflection to be taken as part of a greater story.
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Thank you very much for the critique! (First one I've ever gotten! 
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I definitely like it with the new lighting more; it really adds to the whole drama of the scene. Is this just from your head or a specific scene from a fanfiction or book or something?
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The character is mine, but this isn't an illustration of a specific scene or anything. It's more an atmosphere/emotive piece (similar to this one [link] same character) representing her desire to find a solid place to reforge herself from in the midst of her inner turmoils.
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Oh, wow. o.o Sounds intense, I'll have to check it out.
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She's an intense character, but that's what makes her fun.
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This is beautiful!! Your colouring technique is so smooth and gorgeous. I'm also very envious of your hair and clothing-drawing skills. It looks so real! And personally, I think the lighting is perfect. A wonderful piece! I love it!
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I really love the lighting on this one, very dramatic and eye catching. You're really making leaps and bounds in your images.
Gosh, I want to paint more like this rather than the super saturated crud I pour out.
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Some days I am making leaps and bounds.
Most days I am smacking my head repeatedly into a brick wall. <.<
Thank you, though.
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This version looks better i believe. Great work!
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....stupid DA and being trippy.... sorry for the double post.
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*thumbs up* It looks more dynamic now, especially with the back lighting on her hair pulling the eye upward.
And I still love that dress. >_>
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*thumbs up* It looks more dynamic now, especially with the back lighting on her hair pulling the eye upward.
And I still love that dress. >_>
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Thank you!
...I love the dress to. <.<
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I love this. Your lighting issues don't appear to be issues to me, I love the way it's lit. It's fantastic.
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Well, I fixed my lighting issues anyway.
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It still kicks ass but the lighting IS better on this one.
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wow... that is so... majestic (closest word I can come up with to describe it)
I agree with Lorien about the light issue. but I think to make that work out better in your favor, you would have to add light beams breaking out from the clouds.
but even so, I think this came out stunningly.
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Light beams sticking out would be no good. She's not a sunny person.
I think the new version solved the problem.
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I feel like she should have skinned knees...
Great job, as usual. I love the design of her dress.
If there were an opening in the cloud, maybe that could make for a bit more dramatic lighting?
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Svetlana is glad her knees are not skinned. That would hurt.
And the whole reason this picture exists is I had a cool idea for a dress...
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Adding more of the darkest shadows/ increasing contrast in general may be the solution to your lighting woes. (You could put significant highlights towards the upper portion of your character as well to make the whole image even more dynamic) Another thing that might help is sharpening up some areas of the clouds, if you're in the mood.
Good job on her skin tone and hair by the way, they look perfect.
*goes off to annoy someone else*
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I have a version like the one that you described, but it looks forced. Probably because clouds don't make for strong lighting. >.>
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I sort of thought there was a lightning strike going with the way they were lit. ^_^;
And if you have it anyway could you post it in scraps?
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[link]
She appears to be floating in the picture more than part of it is the problem.
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