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Kalgoras — Aragorn Graphite
Published: 2011-05-20 16:42:54 +0000 UTC; Views: 14201; Favourites: 489; Downloads: 0
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Description
My 3rd attempt at practicing drawing faces, as it's not my usual thing. I was a bit too ambitious!Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn from a really popular reference image – link below
For 'Middle Earth' competition.
Well I thought I'd have another go at portrait art to try and work on technique again as I have learned a lot since my 2nd attempt over a month ago! I took some measurements for the key bits to try and make sure it actually looks a bit like Viggo. I've tried to blend my shading a bit better and make sure my tone and contrast are improved from my last portrait. All my 'Work in Progress' pics are in my Scrapbook if anyone wants to see how I built up the drawing!
[link] Major thanks to the Tutorials, hints and tips from the DA community, especially Meks , Rick (make those blacks..BLACK) and Li .
A4 Bristol Paper, 2H – 8B, Eraser, Blending things, Time (lots!) and frustration!
As usual folks, I'm really trying to improve and I think I have over the last 9 weeks, since I started; however there is still so much to learn!
Please comment and criticise, as it's the best way I can improve!
So far for me...this is my masterpiece!!
Kal
Reference Comparison:
*Re-uploaded image, just spent 10 mins on a couple of minor changes to hair bottom left and right as it looked horrible. It's a present for my dad, so I had to tweak...now being sprayed
*
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Comments: 374
I suppose practice makes perfect...I was hoping there was a shortcut...or some sort of pill I could take?
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haha, better don't take pill, I'm sure it wouldn't help!
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I've found the tutorials on here amazing. Have you looked at Rick's site and Youtube vids?: [link]
He really helped me, especially shading, which you are pretty amazing at already!
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Yeah, not all, but some of them! he's amazing! It really helps, but still, if you want to get better you have to practice alot!
And thank you!
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Welcome
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Yeah, that Megan Fox drawing isn't bad at all, but it's like WOW how you've improwed since then!!!
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awesome work mate your really getting this down now
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Cheers bud! You've got a new icon!
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I likey 
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Thankyou your wookiness!
I did start with the eyes and face as I found them and the skin tones to be the easiest part of the picture and wanted to get them right first as you said as they are the focus. All the main detail is the face and the sword pommel heh. The hair just frames the face, so I got away with the shoddy job 
Much appreciated as ever heh!
- Kal
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No question he looks like Viggo, so long as the face is symmetrical it works and yours is, so it works well. I didn't even notice the wideness tbh. Don't worry about the hair, it's still hit and miss for me too, that's something I'm going to have to properly work...may have to do something like a dog or cat to nail that down properly. Something I remember reading is when you've learnt a new technique it's sometimes worth revisiting a piece.
More than happy to help btw, I find it much more interesting following 'real' artists than the superstar comic art spods who have 20 million views in about 3 minutes flat, we can learn off each other and help improve our techniques. I'll leave the hero worship to the fanboys
Now back to that piece, I've been looking at it for about an hour this morning deciding where to start after a week away from it...for about 10-12 hours....good job I enjoy this!
Oh, and Bristol is the dogs, I love that stuff!
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Good to hear! Get that hand to the grindstone!
I need to speak to an artist on here to see if I could borrow their photo...check this nightmare out for practice: [link]
Have to see what they say
It would be interesting at some point to both draw the same picture and see what we can improve technique-wise? As you said I'm all up for improving every time!
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Like the idea of doing the same picture, let me know what you come up with and when I get the time I'll have a go!
That photo you're looking at doing is certainly a challenge but one that will most likely teach you what to do with hair...well, good luck if you get the permission to do it!...that's gonna take some time!!
Nekkid Manga females seem to be the law on DA, everyone must do at least one it seems. Some of the artists on here are jaw-droppingly good but as you say so many are average and obsessed with Manga...I want to see original techniques not Shirow-a-likes
Colours confuse me too...I'm looking at getting a Cintiq which means I can do proper digital painting...that's going to hurt my brain. A lot.
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Not to mention...your wallet!
I've got a few things in the works at the moment, but check that note I sent about that new group
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Yeah, the cost of a Cintiq is utterly insane but I use Wacom tablets already and they are useful (again, it's all personal preference using those things) but the experience is too remote and drawing directly on-screen will just make life so much easier and cut out all the scanning and pain of digitising my work. Then again it could be the biggest waste of money ever and I'll flog myself with stinging nettles as punishment
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Ouch
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Lol!...I shall send the angry, bad joke gorilla your way just for that!
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I shall load the elephant gun just in case then
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Incredible!!!!!!! Amazing doesn't even describe it..
A favorite, without a doubt! 
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awesome improvement from your other portraits, keep it up! ^^
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I did the same picture (the full portrait with the chainmail and hand). The lip texture is great, the shading on the nose is rather good, and the writing on the sword's pommel is also excellent. To me, he's looking a little wide-eyed, which would be rectified by shading the whites of his eyes more, and the beard should be (I think) darker.
I found it really interesting to draw the folds and creases around his eyes, did you?
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Yeh it was fun to draw
I appreciate the comments though, as that's what helps improvement!
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It is nice, at the hair you should work more.
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Yeh it's my weak area among other things
I appreciate the comment thankyou! It's nice to get some criticism, as it really helps me improve!
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No trouble at all! You're art is beautiful!
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This is truly amazing work! It's got so much detail that it requires a few looks to let it all it!
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Thanks bud!
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Thanks!
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You're welcome
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Yeh I blended the background a bit to make it a bit more blurry, but to be honest, this is my first proper attempt at blending, so it didn't turn out as well as I'd like heh. Already had a few tips to improve it for the next one
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I always suck at drawing backgrounds (well... I think I've done it just one time lol). Rick's tutorials are very helpful - I'm not afraid of using dark black after watching them
If it was your first proper attempt at blending, then I can't wait to see you 'improving'
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