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Kalgoras — Legolas Graphite

Published: 2011-08-14 13:13:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 21835; Favourites: 1025; Downloads: 0
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Description Well it's been a while since I did an A4 portrait, as I've been doing smaller images recently. I've been meaning to go back and do some more Lord of the Rings portraits after watching the films again recently (Best. Trilogy. Ever.).

I have improved a bit since my Aragorn picture ([link] ), but have been struggling with getting my contrast right and have not been going dark enough on skintones, so found a great picture of Legolas, which had some nice contrast to use and practice on. All the Works in Progress are in my Scrapbook here: [link]

Capturing the fey magical beauty of elves on the big screen is an impossibly hard job, but they managed it pretty well in the films apart from the odd dodgy camp elf here and there

I was pleased to find this ref, where Orlando doesn't look like he's about to go running off to pick flowers or hug a tree right after the shot...

So Orlando Bloom as Legolas on A4 Bristol Smooth paper using 2H-8B pencils and 8B Mars Lumograph for the background. Not sure how long, but around 20hrs or so.. (That poor lumo took a bit of a hammering ) The picture probably looks better digitally than it does in real life, but it still looks decent in reality Full view is about actual size

Reference comparison pic:

How it starts WiP's (Had somebody ask on FB ). Some are links as I have maxed out my thumb allowance!:

[link] [link]

Really pleased with the outcome; probably my best drawing yet, so I'll try and get my tonal values better in future!

I might have to come back and do something about the hair near the braid...that area looks a mess

Comment or critique away! - Kal

**Photo update to answer questions on background and stuff, showing the reflections at the risk of disappointment - read text:
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Comments: 528

Payo-X In reply to ??? [2011-08-22 21:03:45 +0000 UTC]

You have a good sense of contrast and value. The likeness is damn good and is proportionally correct. Your details are exquisite, particularly of the eyes.
In my humble opinion, I think you may be over accentuating some of the more subtle values and overlooking the bigger picture. Orlando's face has an overall smooth, boyish quality. By pushing some of the lighter values or contours too far you can make make him look too old. As far as hair goes... It's less about the detail (most of the time) and more about the impression of detail, or the "feeling" of sheen and depth. If that makes any sense...

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Kalgoras In reply to Payo-X [2011-08-22 21:14:08 +0000 UTC]

It all makes perfect sense to me I agree completely and another friend already pointed out I've aged him a bit hehe I've put a list on my reference comparison of things I wasn't happy with, but the main ones are the age and I've also made his jaw a bit squarer than reality, which makes him look a bit more butch and older (not by intention ). It still sort of works and the pain in changing it wasn't going to be worth it, so hopefully I can chalk them down to experience and try and improve more each time! I'm still sort of new at this as I've been drawing for 6 months, but it's slowly coming hehe! The things you have pointed out do make a ton of sense, but I do have a habit of following the reference as strongly as I can, where a more experienced artist might understand what the light is really doing and make a better job of it Ah well...practice makes perfect! I really appreciate the time you spent in the comment and for the feedback, so don't stop! Your gallery is awesome! Tons of imagination and skill! Don't make that 'Lotus's Nightmare' too high res or somebody will probably steal it Once again thankyou, so feel free to comment anytime on anything I draw! Constructive criticism helps more than anything else to improve and there is such a long way to go! - Kal

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Payo-X In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-24 19:23:24 +0000 UTC]

6 Months? Then you truly have the eye. This is just the beginning. Be sure to really study human and animal anatomy and physiology. You'll need a superb understanding of these things to create forms that will flow naturally. That's why I believe it's important to do recreations.
People can be taught to draw. The artist creates a vision from within because he sees the world differently. Embrace that. Study everything.
..And never stop.

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Kalgoras In reply to Payo-X [2011-08-24 20:39:14 +0000 UTC]

Wise words indeed Thanks so much I'll try hard heh

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JamiePickering In reply to ??? [2011-08-22 12:16:00 +0000 UTC]

wow this is fantastic!!!! great work

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Kalgoras In reply to JamiePickering [2011-08-22 17:15:04 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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JamiePickering In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-22 17:25:29 +0000 UTC]

no problem

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ladyshawn In reply to ??? [2011-08-22 02:30:15 +0000 UTC]

OH MY GOD this is phenomenal!!!!!!!

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Kalgoras In reply to ladyshawn [2011-08-22 08:43:56 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much!

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WindyHaven In reply to ??? [2011-08-21 21:01:33 +0000 UTC]

I don't think I can breathe XD Oh my Gosh, this is just stunning. Really, truly mind-blowing!

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Kalgoras In reply to WindyHaven [2011-08-21 21:53:57 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much for the lovely comment and the fav! I'm really glad people like it, as it seems to be pretty popular on here! It's my best piece so far, so I'm pleased with how things are going Thanks so much again!

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WindyHaven In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-22 04:13:36 +0000 UTC]

You are very welcome! You have every right to be proud, the work is phenomenal!

Again, you are very welcome!

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Kalgoras In reply to WindyHaven [2011-08-22 08:40:08 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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WindyHaven In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-22 08:50:19 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

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acjub In reply to ??? [2011-08-21 20:58:06 +0000 UTC]

oh my sweet Rowling..
This is amazing! you have so many details and the bg is so bloody black!
You have indeed come a long way since the Aragorn one, especially the hair. This really is perfection!

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Kalgoras In reply to acjub [2011-08-21 21:55:40 +0000 UTC]

It's not perfection and I don't think there ever will be hehe All I'm pleased about is it's an improvement! Hopefully it can keep improving Thanks so much for the lovely comment as I'm a big fan of your work!

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acjub In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-22 06:03:16 +0000 UTC]

pfft, dont be so modest!

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Kalgoras In reply to acjub [2011-08-22 08:38:44 +0000 UTC]

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trashbarg In reply to ??? [2011-08-21 13:40:54 +0000 UTC]

this is just brilliant!!!

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Kalgoras In reply to trashbarg [2011-08-21 14:08:23 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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trashbarg In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-21 17:56:32 +0000 UTC]

you are welcome!

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JebTorres In reply to ??? [2011-08-21 06:39:02 +0000 UTC]

Really nice work! Sorry, more like masterpiece breathe-taking work!

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Kalgoras In reply to JebTorres [2011-08-21 08:55:04 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much!

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JebTorres In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-23 05:26:38 +0000 UTC]

Your welcome. thanks for sharing!

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paws4pictures In reply to ??? [2011-08-21 02:24:18 +0000 UTC]

Whats wrong with picking flowers and hugging trees. <3

Awesome job!

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Kalgoras In reply to paws4pictures [2011-08-21 08:55:47 +0000 UTC]

Nothing at all, unless you're a Tolkien elf! You should be powerful and magical

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paws4pictures In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-23 01:32:17 +0000 UTC]

LOL ok ok, point taken..still love him tho. Wish I could draw like you!

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Kalgoras In reply to paws4pictures [2011-08-23 08:23:22 +0000 UTC]

Just a bit of practice!

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PakPolaris In reply to ??? [2011-08-20 20:15:55 +0000 UTC]

true art work!!

11/10

really well done!!

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Kalgoras In reply to PakPolaris [2011-08-20 23:31:53 +0000 UTC]

Thanks soo much!

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ericstavros In reply to ??? [2011-08-20 17:04:44 +0000 UTC]

really, well done!!! the black background is done with staedler 8B?

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Kalgoras In reply to ericstavros [2011-08-20 17:20:14 +0000 UTC]

Yes Mars Lumograph Thanks so much

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ms-Bennington In reply to ??? [2011-08-20 01:21:13 +0000 UTC]

wow.....it's really cool!! looks like a b/w photo!

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Kalgoras In reply to ms-Bennington [2011-08-20 08:01:52 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much

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ECrystalica In reply to ??? [2011-08-19 22:44:12 +0000 UTC]

Awesomelly well made!! Absolutely epic drawing!!

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Kalgoras In reply to ECrystalica [2011-08-20 00:14:14 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much!

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SquirrelGirl15 In reply to ??? [2011-08-19 22:29:37 +0000 UTC]

Absolutely EPIC job!

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Kalgoras In reply to SquirrelGirl15 [2011-08-20 00:14:33 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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CosPalpatine In reply to ??? [2011-08-19 21:55:21 +0000 UTC]

Amazing

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Kalgoras In reply to CosPalpatine [2011-08-19 21:56:02 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much!

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CosPalpatine In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-19 22:00:39 +0000 UTC]

Not at all

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AlSadatilVengeance In reply to ??? [2011-08-19 21:14:30 +0000 UTC]

incredible

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Kalgoras In reply to AlSadatilVengeance [2011-08-19 21:48:09 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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No-2B In reply to ??? [2011-08-19 18:48:42 +0000 UTC]

What do you use for your blackest black? I am not satisfied with what I am using.

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Kalgoras In reply to No-2B [2011-08-19 21:48:53 +0000 UTC]

Staedtler Mars Lumograph 8B...accept no substitutes for graphite It goes blacker than anything else by miles

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No-2B In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-20 03:37:32 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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Kasia-The-Artist In reply to ??? [2011-08-19 15:38:41 +0000 UTC]

wow! fantastic drawing!!
looks very realistic, like a photo!

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Kalgoras In reply to Kasia-The-Artist [2011-08-19 15:40:39 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much for the comment

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Kasia-The-Artist In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-19 16:09:18 +0000 UTC]

you're very welcome

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WickedIllusionArt In reply to ??? [2011-08-19 10:11:44 +0000 UTC]

Really amazing! One of my fav Legolas' I've seen so far and definitely a improvement since Aragorn, especially with likeness/proportions.

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