Elderscrollers Sketchy Stuff

[Elderscroller]

@Vornag: Thanks! I play lots of systems, mostly some german one (Das schwarze Auge, Splittermond), but also Cthulhu, D&D, sometimes Starwars and recently a not yet published RPG called Arx Temporis

@meat: Thanks very much! Don´t praise the christmas illustration too much, it´s design is not directly mine. I used an image from google and changed it slightly to try out painting with acrylics. But the original is really a nice image

If anyone is interested in my workflow when doing a character sketch from imagination, below these sketches is a detailed step by step tutorial. Feel free to ask, if you have questions.




Steps 1-5 are done with an HB pencil, 6 uses a 2B and 7-10 alternates between the two as needed

1. Establish a horizon and a basic perspective grid
   
2. Gesture: Here I either have a concrete image in my mind or I just try out different gesture poses until I find something I can work with or that gives me an idea about a character. In this example I wanted someone jumping and with this pose, I got the idea of somekind of assassin/thief jumping down with a dagger
   
3. Building anatomy: here I correct errors and establish a basic anatomical model with a Loomis head
   
4. Once the anatomy is ok, erase everything slightly, so it is barely visible. Now the fun part begins. I mostly start with the face and try out some basic design ideas. The base clothing is established
   
5. Detailing and design step: here I put everything in place designwise
   
6. Cleanup: the lines are cleaned up and some line weight is incorporated
   
7. Base value step: here different values for materials are done. I only have 2 values in that example,but it can be more elaborated depending on how detailed and realistic you want the finished drawing
   
8. Basic form shadow is applied
   
9. Cast shadows are applied
   
10. Occlusion shadows are applied and some more detailed shading to finish the sketch. A cast shadow below the figure keeps it grounded