WIP Viking king

[bonehead11]

Okay so I worked on this piece and I can say this is one of the more serious work I have done, but I just dont know how to continue, lot of things bug me and dont know what where and why...oh and please dont critique that bad light,uncleaned outlines, undone background , chainmail and head mainly he will have helmet ,try to critique anatomy,shading and mainly if mine color selection is good...I dont like mine color selection
I have posted lighted and unlighted one.
http://img301.imageshack.us/content.php?page=done&l=img301/4948/kingshaded.png&via=mupload
http://img301.imageshack.us/content.php?page=done&l=img301/4076/kingshadedlighted.png&via=mupload

[TrevoriuS]

You shoiuld use the direct link to the image, or post a normal URL

[bonehead11]

Thank you...the image thingy doesnt work...

[TrevoriuS]

No problem, I was short on time previously, but now I'm in for some critiques I guess.

First off, let's look at the 'unlit' image, and see alot of structural mistakes. You should approach the drawing of a human in an anatomical way. Take the proportions and rotations of the skeleton, take the shape and arrangements of muscles in front of you, and then use that knowledge to draw the figure. Of course all these shapes can be simplified, but I recommend you learn anatomy, and then go on into studying humans by drawing them from life - simplifying and structurizing your drawing, but keeping in mind anatomy.

Here I drew the red on your image, removed it and drew the black and blue for clarity; trying to find out the logic myself too.

Disclaimer: I don't think I know enough about anatomy, or the growth of fat yet to be good at this

Now the second image should be discarded, simply because the ' lighting'  you added is not influencing the objects in the scene on themselves at all. Yet the point of having 2 torches as lighting the scene is no problem, so let's consider that when shading in the entire piece. But I recommend you get the pose and shape down first before getting yourself distracted with detail.

[Randommonkies]

Usually when i think of a viking king I think of a big powerful dude who wants to attack someone with an axe, If thats not the look you intended then disregard the following..
I suggest beefing up his chest and spreading his legs so that he takes up more space so he looks more confident/powerful. Maybe instead of his head laying in his hand have it resting on his fist?.. depends what kind of look you are going for.
 I think the angle of the scene needs to be worked out as well, right now it looks slighly angled away from dead centre. I'd probably do it so that you are looking straight at him.
otherwise, I think the you have a good start on the face!

[bonehead11]

Usually when i think of a viking king I think of a big powerful dude who wants to attack someone with an axe, If thats not the look you intended then disregard the following..

No no, I want him to be an old veteran lazy bum, but I think I will change his hand into fist.

No problem, I was short on time previously, but now I'm in for some critiques I guess.

First off, let's look at the 'unlit' image, and see alot of structural mistakes. You should approach the drawing of a human in an anatomical way. Take the proportions and rotations of the skeleton, take the shape and arrangements of muscles in front of you, and then use that knowledge to draw the figure. Of course all these shapes can be simplified, but I recommend you learn anatomy, and then go on into studying humans by drawing them from life - simplifying and structurizing your drawing, but keeping in mind anatomy.

Here I drew the red on your image, removed it and drew the black and blue for clarity; trying to find out the logic myself too.

Those hand are messed up, I dont know now I like the angle but I will have to change things according to it, Im kinda happy with his body, but sadly those legs suck + that throne was just for how he should be sitting there...Thanks for that sketch It showed some flaws in mine portrait...mainly those arms, legs and elbows.

[Mathias]

You haven't disclosed any info as to the intention of this peice so I'll crit what I see - a viking dude on a throne.

First of all, there's just nothing kingly about this guy. He's lookin' more like a peasant exhausted from tendin' the flock since sun-up. No clues of royalty or power or prestige or sovereignty. No indication of "viking" either, you've acheived a medieval look at best. His posture and attitude is a little awkward, seems to imply a deficiency more than kingly authority. I love Randommonkies' suggestion for him to rest on a balled up fist, not open palm, and even had the same thought - this'll give a better tough guy impression. Beard is flat, consisting of a strange monotonously rendered treebark texture. Axe is dreadfully commonplace, give him a unique epic weapon forged by monsters embued with runes decorated with silver and gold guilding . . .

**EDIT - while writing this you posted and expressed you're trying to create a lazy viking veteran type. So, I think our points of view differ. When pondering vikings, I like to imagine the glamorized cartoonized extremely tough feral warrior characters that wield huge battle axes and clubs and have leatherbound braids of filthy hair flying out from under ridiculous bull horned iron helmets, etc. and this is what compels my crit, so I'll just leave what I've written where it stands. Hopefully ya find something useful.

[bonehead11]

You haven't disclosed any info as to the intention of this peice so I'll crit what I see - a viking dude on a throne.

First of all, there's just nothing kingly about this guy. He's lookin' more like a peasant exhausted from tendin' the flock since sun-up. No clues of royalty or power or prestige or sovereignty. No indication of "viking" either, you've acheived a medieval look at best. His posture and attitude is a little awkward, seems to imply a deficiency more than kingly authority. I love Randommonkies' suggestion for him to rest on a balled up fist, not open palm, and even had the same thought - this'll give a better tough guy impression. Beard is flat, consisting of a strange monotonously rendered treebark texture. Axe is dreadfully commonplace, give him a unique epic weapon forged by monsters embued with runes decorated with silver and gold guilding . . .

**EDIT - while writing this you posted and expressed you're trying to create a lazy viking veteran type. So, I think our points of view differ. When pondering vikings, I like to imagine the glamorized cartoonized extremely tough feral warrior characters that wield huge battle axes and clubs and have leatherbound braids of filthy hair flying out from under ridiculous bull horned iron helmets, etc. and this is what compels my crit, so I'll just leave what I've written where it stands. Hopefully ya find something useful.

Ohh I like the axe idea...but alas our ideas are again walking the wrong path...well vikings in history were barbaric raiders with basic hierarchy, I wanna follow this, well he is a "peasant" almost no manners so it fits it, I will try to add some skulls on the throne etc. etc. but I will leave his pose as it is, maybe the horny helmet...yeah the beard sucks...I dont know how to draw a beard... and dont forget this isnt finished piece its in early stage so suggestions are very welcomed and mainly critique.

[Emtch]

A few crits.
Vikings dressed mostly in leather, Iron and hides. In your picture he's wearing a big chunk of armor/chain mail, which I doubt the vikings used.

The axe blades are too small. The shaft is too long and to thin, it would break from one swing. Viking axes are shorter, with huge blades. Check som references.

Why are his legs bare? It's cold up north. I'd add some greaves and big boots at least.

It's a king in a castle. Vikings had chiefs, not kings, and they usually lived in simple villages. If he's a veteran I think he should have lots of scars.

[bonehead11]

A few crits.
Vikings dressed mostly in leather, Iron and hides. In your picture he's wearing a big chunk of armor/chain mail, which I doubt the vikings used.

The axe blades are too small. The shaft is too long and to thin, it would break from one swing. Viking axes are shorter, with huge blades. Check som references.

Why are his legs bare? It's cold up north. I'd add some greaves and big boots at least.

It's a king in a castle. Vikings had chiefs, not kings, and they usually lived in simple villages. If he's a veteran I think he should have lots of scars.

Uhm first sentence wrong...yes vikings wore leathear and hides, but viking captains and higher positioned people wore chainmail and swords, because sword was hard to make and it was very good weapon, viking swords were heavier and more durable than european swords, well first they used some special procedures wich I dont remember and as you know scandinavian iron was better than rest of europe...and i havent decided for background...

Yeah I will change that later, I want to add some fantasy but have some historical accuracy.

I will add some protection dont worry, I just need rigthly positioned legs...

And I will add those scars after basic anatomy is done...

Here I tried to give him some hair as suggested and changed hands + legs.
Oh and can someone pls post some link to a good colour selection guide, because I suck at choosing colours.