10-04-2013, 07:08 PM
I might not be the character design specialist, but I'll try to help you. Overall, nice design idea, dramatic lights, something is definitely going on.
Cool that you thought of bigger hands as an addition of personality to the character, but I think you shouldn't stop there and push the whole design forward. This book: http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Character...0823023494 teaches this nicely.
You could make the character more blocky, more square. This gives you the feeling of strong, solid rugged guy.
Big, wide chin is also a good addition to such design.
When it comes to rendering, I think you should start with one light source, work on the basic value areas (no more than let say 3). If they will provide good reading of the form, you can start adding more detail, reflected light etc. And, when it comes to second light source, I think you shouldn't add it. Treat the magenta bottom light as reflected light source, don't make it brighter in value than the midtones. It will make your forms more 3d. Paint in the reflected light after you shade your form with one light source properly.
One last thing, the detail isn't visible that much in the shadows, so in this light conditions I think you should only add it to midtone and highlights, mostly on the head, so it will atract viewers eye without need to wander with the eyes all around your painting.
All in all, it's your piece of art so have it your way and have fun!
Cool that you thought of bigger hands as an addition of personality to the character, but I think you shouldn't stop there and push the whole design forward. This book: http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Character...0823023494 teaches this nicely.
You could make the character more blocky, more square. This gives you the feeling of strong, solid rugged guy.
Big, wide chin is also a good addition to such design.
When it comes to rendering, I think you should start with one light source, work on the basic value areas (no more than let say 3). If they will provide good reading of the form, you can start adding more detail, reflected light etc. And, when it comes to second light source, I think you shouldn't add it. Treat the magenta bottom light as reflected light source, don't make it brighter in value than the midtones. It will make your forms more 3d. Paint in the reflected light after you shade your form with one light source properly.
One last thing, the detail isn't visible that much in the shadows, so in this light conditions I think you should only add it to midtone and highlights, mostly on the head, so it will atract viewers eye without need to wander with the eyes all around your painting.
All in all, it's your piece of art so have it your way and have fun!
It's a somewhat solitary existence, a bit like a lighthouse keeper throwing a beam out into the darkness, in faith that this action might help someone unseen.
My Sketchbook (critique welcome)
My Sketchbook (critique welcome)