Lookin' good!

Subject: Lookin' good!
Author: Neshomeh
Posted on: 2017-12-17 15:26:00 UTC

Everybody looks pretty great here. I love the kiss. No idea what it's based on, but it looks natural and not like their faces are trying to merge, which is always a plus. ^_^

I'mma critique the hands this time, because there are so many of them in this picture, and they all look a bit boneless. Hands are hard, no two ways about it, and subtle little changes in the line make all the difference. The fingers should widen a little at the second knuckle, then taper toward the tip. (The third knuckle is probably not prominent enough to worry about.) The more they're bent, the more the crease on the inside of the joints will become prominent—if the sides/insides of the fingers are visible, this really helps make them look more 3D.

The first joint of the thumb also tends to stand out a bit, just above the wrist, and gives the base of the hand a square look (unless it's tucked in). Remember the thumb has three segments, just like the fingers, but it's set lower and the first segment is joined to the palm by muscle and skin. When relaxed, it tends to curve inward, not stick straight out. When fully extended, the third segment (of the fingers, too) can actually curve outward a bit—at least, mine do, especially the thumb and first finger.

All this subtle stuff adds up to make a believable hand. Drives me nuts, but at the same time I kinda love it. {= )

~Neshomeh, who has kinda stalled out on drawing, but will hopefully be able to catch up after cookie-making is over.

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Drawcember - Round 2 by Huinesoron on 2017-12-17 11:47:00 UTC Reply

Continuing on from this thread, about Character Drawcember. Why am I continuing it? Because I've gotten really good advice from the first half, and have just finished another drawing. ^_^ I'll take that to a subthread, though.

It's by no means too late to start, by the way! Even if you only get a single image done, people like RemnantShadow and Neshomeh offer excellent drawing concrit. It's a great way to improve (and also to build a stockpile of character images... I have an inordinate amount of love for my little folder, now.)

hS

I've done, um, one so far. by Zingenmir on 2017-12-20 06:31:00 UTC Reply

And then came Chanukah and I got distracted. I'd be happy to upload my one, though, if someone could remind me how to embed a picture in a post--I never do it, so I have no clue how, even though I was told how several years so.

~Z

One is good. by Huinesoron on 2017-12-20 15:29:00 UTC Reply

(Well, it's better than none... ^^)

<img src="http://www.yourimage.link/here"/>

You'll need to upload your image somewhere first (Imgur works; Photobucket doesn't), then find the direct link option.

Or... stick it up on Google Drive and just link to it. ^~

hS

Me so far (including 5 & 6). by Neshomeh on 2017-12-20 05:06:00 UTC Reply

I'm way behind, but I've made SOME progress, so here's everything so far.

1 & 3: "Before/After" - a protagonist (Derik) and a disused character, redesigned (his dragon, Skepnadth). Before badfic, after Reality Room. Look, hS, a nipple! Just for you! {= D ... As for the rest, still working on it.

2: "Complete Control" - an antagonist (Gall, doing a stupid thing with a mace). Rescanned with a better color balance and less saturation.

4: LOL, nope.

5: Henry Robinson - child, adult, Senior Not Appearing in This Drawing. The adult one... I have no idea what I'm doing. Dat face. What is pencil? How art? >.<

6: The Djenni - an AU version of a character (Jenni Robinson, Plortified). Anatomy ain't right yet; I think the head's too small.

~Neshomeh, still in this thing, dangit.

Well, let's see. by Huinesoron on 2017-12-20 16:15:00 UTC Reply

1/3: 'eeeey, it's a nipple! Doesn't that feel better? ;) Oddly, the thing that's really drawing my eye here is the lightly-sketched log Derik is sitting on; I really like the design of it, even though I can barely see it.

#5: Henry is adorable; I want to ruffle his hair. I love the way his t-shirt is riding up as he raises his hand - it's a nice little detail. I feel like the top itself is slightly wrong, though - the straight line up to his arm suggests it's being pulled tight, but then it's all rumpled at the sleeve? He ends up looking like he has a giant shoulder blade pushing it out, which I'm assuming isn't the case. ^_^

Old Henry for some reason looks alarmingly like Dobby? Dunno what's with that.

#6: Woof! I founna woof! :D I think you're right about the head - if she pointed it in a straight line from her neck, it would be 'narrower' than the neck. The tail is lovely, though, and (weird detail time again) the 'flame' lines are perfectly simple and perfectly placed.

hS

Ok, so this is my current finished list by RemnantShadow on 2017-12-20 03:38:00 UTC Reply

I haven't been keeping up with the challenge lately, because exams. But, I did manage to finish one more which I will post afterwards.

#1 A protagonist a bit NSFW

#2 An antagonist (Zhou Yuefei)

#3 A redesigned character (Shinonome Kaede)

#4 A character's room

#5 child and adult (Célestin Dubois)

Prompt 8 by RemnantShadow on 2017-12-26 04:58:00 UTC Reply

Ok, here is the screenshot, the moment of betrayal. Well, not betrayal. It's actually more of a case of a really, really bad misunderstanding and lack of communication.

I could have definitely done the blood a bit better, and the tears could use work.
Prompt 7 by RemnantShadow on 2017-12-23 01:33:00 UTC Reply

Finally, finals are over, and I actually managed to finish this monster of a piece. I really bit off more than I could chew here. Anyways here is a group shot of the Threat Countermeasures Team 6 a.k.a. "Death Seekers" (I need a better squad nickname). Short profiles are below.

The International Human Security Federation Special Operations Unit, Advanced Engagement Force, Threat Countermeasures Team 6
Specialization: Advanced Combat, Direct Action, Combat Support
Other Duties: HVT, Counter terrorism, Counter invasion

From the top left counterclockwise:
Name: Faye Linwood
Effective Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Overall Magic Rating: A2-
Tell: Glowing eyes

Name: Shinonome Azusa/ Aria Blackwind
Effective Rank: Captain
Overall Magic Rating: B1+
Tell: Glowing Mark on her arm

Name: Saros Dawnblade (I changed his name from the previous drawing)
Effective Rank: Colonel
Overall Magic Rating: A1+
Tell: Flaring right eye

Name: Zhao Baiying/ Lyra Hawthorne
Effective Rank: Captain
Overall Magic Rating: B1
Tell: Glowing crosshairs in left eye

Name: Shinonome Tsubaki/ Aster Blackwind
Effective Rank: Lieutenant
Overall Magic Rating: B2+
Tell: Glowing eyes

Name: Shinonome Kaede/ Aspen Blackwind
Effective Rank: Lieutenant
Overall Magic Rating: B1
Tell: none

Name: Ye Heiwu/ Skyler Stormhall
Effective Rank: Lieutenant
Overall Magic Rating: A3-
Tell: Glowing eyes

I put two names for some of them because I couldn't decide if i should homogenize the names or not. I would greatly appreciate some opinions on the matter.
Prompt 6 An AU character by RemnantShadow on 2017-12-20 03:40:00 UTC Reply

This is just an AU of Kaede. This world's Kaede is just some random kid.

Ah -- homework. by Huinesoron on 2017-12-20 16:06:00 UTC Reply

Kaede, I know what the problem is - you haven't actually written any words, Kaede. I don't know what alphabet you use, but I'm pretty sure those aren't it. ^_~

Obviously, I love the pose - it's extremely evocative (unless you were aiming for something else...). The simplicity of the shape of the head is also nice - and the hair shows good consistency with the other Kaede image.

I do feel like there's something wrong with your angles, though. The sheet of paper doesn't seem to be in the same perspective as the room itself, and I'm positive that the light coming through the window can't show that shadow from the pen pot. I do like the variable sharpness of the shadows, though - they are, correctly, sharper when they're closer to the object casting them.

hS

Simple sketch by Quincy Jones on 2017-12-18 23:20:00 UTC Reply

I wanted to do sort of a before/after on one of my favorite characters, Nevay Scullie, but I didn't have any time XD so I decided to just get a quick little framework laid out before I attempt a full-on painting.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/195627050281730049/392455383777804299/image.jpg

I like them. by Huinesoron on 2017-12-19 20:04:00 UTC Reply

I've equivocated for a while on what to say about this, because the first thing that jumps out at me is a bit weird: the 'after' picture comes over as distinctly more feminine than the 'before'.

I think the reason for that is that 'after' is far, far more curved: the hair in front of the face contrasts with the cuts/cheekbones on 'before'. I'm also looking at the right (my right) ear, which is curved to match the left on 'after'. Also the... eyelids, I guess? The way they curve down along the nose gives a distinctly feminine impression, while 'before' implies a flat brow-ridge. (The neck, too...)

The other thing that's reaching out and grabbing me is the nose on 'before'; it's almost exactly the same shape as the one on 'after', but the slightest variation in the thickness of the lines makes it clear that it's differently angled. I'm impressed.

hS

Thanks! by Quincy Jones on 2017-12-20 19:37:00 UTC Reply

A) Well, that was sort of an unintentional effect. I was meaning to imply undernourishment/stress with perhaps a bonier face in the 'before'. I'm glad it turned out that way, though! I quite like the implications of a more feminine 'after'.

B) Thanks! :D I put a lot of effort into making the two portraits look a lot like each other, and I'm glad I nailed the nose.

What I've done so far. by Huinesoron on 2017-12-17 12:06:00 UTC Reply

(Since it's all lost in the mire of Off The Front Page now.)

I gave myself the additional challenge of using only characters based on my wife, Kaitlyn. This isn't much of a challenge, because I have a lot of those (and I like drawing her).

All my art is on my long-existing but never-used DeviantArt page, along with a couple of other sketches. For Drawcember specifically, I have:

#1 - A Protagonist (Connie Sims of the IAIA) - I loved the face on this, and eventually coloured it in:

#1C - A Protagonist, Coloured (Connie Sims) - two versions, each with their own issues, but a great learning process.

#2 - An Antagonist (An unnamed naiad) - not one I'm terribly pleased with, to be honest.

#3 - A Disused Character (Andromeda Ethrax) - this was where I started getting really good advice, as can be seen in:

#3A - A Disused Character, Revised (Anda Ethrax) - blending! Hands!

#4 - A Character's Room (Former Agent Constance Illian-Sims) - geometry is my thing. ^_^ Slightly revised from the Board version, to adjust that window seat.

#5 - Young, Middle, Old (Firethorn) - an experiment in shading and in tweaking images.

#6 - An AU Character (Connie of Wessex) - an image I've had in my head for a long time, which I'm glad to be able to almost do justice. This one has been fixed up since it appeared in the first thread, following RemnantShadow's advice.

And now...

hS

Bonus extra. by Huinesoron on 2017-12-25 00:00:00 UTC Reply

No prompt. No character. Nothing like the rest. Not even in focus. But here you go:

Merry Christmas.

hS

"The Christmas Tree: A Self-Portrait (drool not pictured)." (nm) by Scapegrace on 2017-12-25 01:56:00 UTC Reply

And at last, #12: Own Choice. by Huinesoron on 2017-12-24 15:18:00 UTC Reply

Agent Kaitlyn's dreams come true, in a piece I like to call:

Shrooms for the Shroom Throne!

I've tried to apply everything I've learnt over the course of Drawcember - particularly blending, shading, and hands - into an image which is spliced together from about five different photos. Obviously she's in hobbit disguise, which lets me shake off any minor issues in proportion (I actually had to redraw her head to be 'too large'...!). And... yeah, I knew from the very start that this was the only option for the last picture. ^_^

hS

Really Nice by RemnantShadow on 2017-12-24 22:07:00 UTC Reply

Ok, first off, you really improved a lot since the first entry. The shading is done nicely, not overdone, and in the right places. The legs are drawn nicely and well proportioned, I particularly like the shading since it captures the light source quite well. i also really like the shading for the face, it gives the face a nice contour.

Now, improvements, I'm going to nitpick here since this is probably the last time I'm critiquing your art unless you decide to make more art threads in the future. First, the clothes. You did add folds, which are nice, but now the folds themselves are the problem. Your folds don't really fold, they are just lines. You didn't make what I call fold bumps on the outline of the clothes. While you could get away with that usually, it's still a good idea to draw some, usually where the cloth is being compressed. Also, keep in mind folds appear both when the cloth is being compressed and stretched, and careful not to overdo the folds.
Next, the hands. These are pretty well structured compared to your previous sketches, a bit of an issue with the left hand is that the fingers seem a little too short.
The hair is a bit iffy here, I can see strands, which is nice, but there is too much crisscrossing. It lacks flow. Yes, hair is not always perfectly parallel, but this seems like you tried too hard to make each strand go in a unique direction. This is actually the opposite problem to the folds; for the folds, there wasn't enough detail, for the hair, you placed too much.

Overall, the sketch itself is pretty well structured, and well drawn. However, it could benefit from improving the fine details, but be careful not to overdo the details. A good mantra to follow is "art is suggestion, not replication". All you need to do is suggest the details are there by placing a couple of details, enough for the viewer to notice, but not too much as to clutter up the sketch.

P.S. You seemed to have switched the left and right feet.(^ _ ^)

#11 - Three Outfits by Huinesoron on 2017-12-23 09:05:00 UTC Reply

~~Duchess~~ Baron Kaitlyn of Plort. On the left we have her battlefield medic outfit; in the middle Baron Me clearly forced her to go to a ball; on the right we have her nurse's uniform from Bodldops Hospital.

I started out trying to make three identical images, then varied them from there. It... didn't exactly work out, particularly when it comes to the faces. But it'll do, it'll do...

hS

Nice designs by RemnantShadow on 2017-12-23 17:15:00 UTC Reply

I really like the designs for the outfits, they all seem to fit quite nicely. There is one thing I would like to point out, the cloth seems really stiff. There are no folds at all even at the elbows. Also, the lower parts of the dresses should have some kind of folding as well, because it's loose. I see that you did place some folds on the right picture, but folds should go up to the point of support. Oh and about the faces, different angles create different shapes for the face. If you wanted to use the exact same pose but with different face angles, I suggest using a circle as a placeholder, then adding the jaw according to the angle you want the face to be in.

I see your point about the cloth. by Huinesoron on 2017-12-24 15:22:00 UTC Reply

It's one thing I've tried hard to fix in #12; if I revise these, I will tweak it. I had issues with the skirt on the right-hand outfit looking pleated, but I've got that sorted out in my head now.

As to the faces... well, they weren't meant to be different angles! :D Yeah, you're not wrong.

hS

Nice designs! (+commentary on additional) by Iximaz on 2017-12-23 15:55:00 UTC Reply

You did a great job making the outfits feel distinct, yet very Kaitlyn—I can get the sense that all four of them would definitely be worn by the same person. I like the little details like the pouches, chainmail, necklaces... Will you design my next Ren fair costume for me? :P

Really, my only critique is that her left foot (our right) looks oddly arched in the middle. I'd make it a bit flatter and bring the toes more up, if that makes sense?

Thank you! by Huinesoron on 2017-12-23 16:06:00 UTC Reply

The pouches and pockets were Kaitlyn's idea; she has Opinions about pockets on women's clothing.

As to the foot: yeah, it would. On the source image, she was in mid-step, so the toes were bent up and the foot arched. I glossed that out in the drawing, but didn't adapt it properly.

That said, as the person who made both that dress and that Time Lord collar, I think you have me thoroughly beat when it comes to costume design. ^_~

hS

& a bonus extra costume. by Huinesoron on 2017-12-23 15:47:00 UTC Reply

This is her casual outfit. An earlier version had the sash arching upwards instead of down, which made her look distinctly pregnant. I changed that. ^_~

hS

#10 - In the Style Of... by Huinesoron on 2017-12-23 09:02:00 UTC Reply

... Flatland!

Oh, um, sorry: this image obviously should have an 'EXTREMELY NSFW' warning. It's an image of Shipverse!Kaitlyn, and some of her... many... friends. (Shipverse!hS is the septagon, of course.) In addition to the... goings-on... S!Kaitlyn is also extremely taboo, because she is coloured. That's, like, hugely forbidden in Flatland, but S!Kaitlyn heeds no rules.

Off to the right, we have a Flatlander's eye-view of the... goings-on... as seen by someone coming in through the women's door on the east side. As you can see, I put rather too much thought into this...

(Now, what I can't decide... is it against the DeviantArt T&Cs to upload this without a Mature Content warning, or to upload it with one...?)

hS

*wipes away a tear* by Iximaz on 2017-12-23 15:49:00 UTC Reply

A true work of art, right there. ;)

#9 - Favourite Place by Huinesoron on 2017-12-18 20:54:00 UTC Reply

Running the Official Fanfiction University of the Underground isn't an easy task. With fractious goblins, their arrogant King, and a female lead who's strongly averse to being told what to do... sometimes, Miss Kaye needs to slip away with a good book and hang out in the garden with the only people who don't keep starting fights.

Drawn from a screenshot of the film, a photo of Kaitlyn, and images of both the Worm and the Hat. I realise that the perspective is off on the urn, and that the angle of the image really means you should see more of the labyrinth over the hedge; other than that, I'm fairly pleased with this one.

(Oh - and don't worry about her clothes. Miss Kaye thinks corset-print t-shirts are the best thing ever.)

hS
#8 - Screenshot (fractionally NSFW) by Huinesoron on 2017-12-17 16:04:00 UTC Reply

NES Areatha isn't a terribly polite houseguest; she's seen here storming CLS Exeter St. David's isolation chamber and taking over his ship. Well... for a given value of 'storm'.

This is the end of the prologue from last year's NaNo; the shot is entitled 'She sauntered towards me, wearing nothing but a smile.'

My assumption is that the movie adaptation of Gravity's Embrace would keep Areatha's habitual nudity, but - to maintain its PG rating - would consistently cover it up with increasingly contrived foreground objects. This is the first such shot, and it just gets worse from here on out.

hS

Found the time of reading it. by Hardric on 2017-12-23 21:19:00 UTC Reply

I'm curious, (rot13 for people who didn't read it yet) Qvq rvgure bs gur Nergurn znantrq gb trg guebhtu gurve Rkl'f sbegerff bs abcr? And have you any idea about writing other stories using that 'verse?

Abcr! by Huinesoron on 2017-12-24 20:18:00 UTC Reply

V'z abg ragveryl pbaivaprq Rkl vf vagb tveyf, npghnyyl. Abg gung gung obguref Nerngun... fur'f zber guna unys qbvat vg sbe sha, naljnl.

I'm actually planning a full revision of Gravity's Embrace for NaNoEdMo in March. It's the first NaNo that's felt like it could be edited into shape (rather than rewritten entirely, as my forst one was). Once I've got that done... well, it /is/ a spectacularly entertaining setting, and partly created by PPCers to boot. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to take another romp through it.

Not a sequel, though. Exy and Areatha's story is the end of the setting as we know it, I feel.

hS

#7 - Group Shot by Huinesoron on 2017-12-17 12:10:00 UTC Reply

The Four Pathologists (plus Fifth Alchemist)

Time Lords! Specifically, PPC-insert Time Lords; these stories springing out of a thread in 2013 were the origin of the Librarian, and also of these characters. The Fifth Alchemist is the only female version of my own stand-in - she's a redheaded mad scientist, who the Pathologist... well... yeah. You get it. ^_^

Bonus points for recognising what the kiss is based on.

Overall I'm fairly pleased with this, but it's far from perfect. I may update and digitally colour it later. We'll see.

hS

Lookin' good! by Neshomeh on 2017-12-17 15:26:00 UTC Reply

Everybody looks pretty great here. I love the kiss. No idea what it's based on, but it looks natural and not like their faces are trying to merge, which is always a plus. ^_^

I'mma critique the hands this time, because there are so many of them in this picture, and they all look a bit boneless. Hands are hard, no two ways about it, and subtle little changes in the line make all the difference. The fingers should widen a little at the second knuckle, then taper toward the tip. (The third knuckle is probably not prominent enough to worry about.) The more they're bent, the more the crease on the inside of the joints will become prominent—if the sides/insides of the fingers are visible, this really helps make them look more 3D.

The first joint of the thumb also tends to stand out a bit, just above the wrist, and gives the base of the hand a square look (unless it's tucked in). Remember the thumb has three segments, just like the fingers, but it's set lower and the first segment is joined to the palm by muscle and skin. When relaxed, it tends to curve inward, not stick straight out. When fully extended, the third segment (of the fingers, too) can actually curve outward a bit—at least, mine do, especially the thumb and first finger.

All this subtle stuff adds up to make a believable hand. Drives me nuts, but at the same time I kinda love it. {= )

~Neshomeh, who has kinda stalled out on drawing, but will hopefully be able to catch up after cookie-making is over.

Haaaaaands. (#7 edit) by Huinesoron on 2017-12-21 16:25:00 UTC Reply

Some of the details you point out aren't feasible - I don't have fine enough control at this scale to widen the knuckles, for instance. But I've done my best to update them all.

hS

Looks Good by RemnantShadow on 2017-12-22 23:19:00 UTC Reply

The hands have improved a lot, but I think the hand of the second pathologist needs a bit of adjusting. At this angle, it looks like she broke all her fingers on her left hand. Otherwise, the picture is quite well done.

Ugh, hands. by Huinesoron on 2017-12-17 15:52:00 UTC Reply

I am seriously going to draw my next picture with no hands at all, just to avoid dealing with them.

Thank you very much for the advice, though. I'll be going back and trying to rework at least some of those hands, though with all ten visible at least in part, I may not get all of them working.

Remembering the crease on the joint, and adding in the angle from the first thumb joint (which is alarmingly non-curved, I can't take it :O), are probably the things I'll focus on.

hS