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Published: 2011-08-14 13:13:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 21836; Favourites: 1025; Downloads: 0
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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
Reference comparison pic:
How it starts WiP's (Had somebody ask on FB
[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
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Comments: 528
LupeSamaPhantomhive In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 12:19:12 +0000 UTC]
fantastic *O* i love legolas
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Kalgoras In reply to LupeSamaPhantomhive [2011-08-15 14:37:53 +0000 UTC]
He does rock, in a slightly camp way
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
blue-jaryn In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 11:31:15 +0000 UTC]
Great work, the level of detail is very impressive and thanks for showing the progress, that's interesting. I would suggest in the future taking from a ref photo but try making it more your own, you obviously have the skill to do so.
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Kalgoras In reply to blue-jaryn [2011-08-15 14:37:23 +0000 UTC]
Oooh deviating from the reference is scary! I've done a bit of deviation on a few, like my Battle Sister Eden pic, but I do enjoy not having to worry about what goes where hehe
I'm a lazy wannabe artist
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blue-jaryn In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-15 15:16:51 +0000 UTC]
I'm just starting to do it myself more so I know it's not an easy process, that's for sure :]
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HayleyLV In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 10:45:30 +0000 UTC]
OMG, dude!
Just whoa, you totally rock!!!!
This is perfect! All the shading and his hair! He just looks so real!
Awww, I love this!
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Kalgoras In reply to HayleyLV [2011-08-15 10:53:08 +0000 UTC]
Thankyou! Yeh pleased with this one!
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BenFreaky In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 10:40:30 +0000 UTC]
Definately a brilliant drawing!
I love the shading and the contrast looks fine to me.
What kind of pencil did you use for his hair ?
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Kalgoras In reply to BenFreaky [2011-08-15 10:42:26 +0000 UTC]
I used a mech 2B and B along with a Normal 2B for most of it...just tried to keep it sharp Bit of shading with normal pencils too...nothing scary
Near the edges I used my darkest pencils to try and get it to blend into the background a bit, so some parts have Mars Lumograph underneath them (the triangular indentations into the hair on the top of his head)
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BenFreaky In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-15 10:56:10 +0000 UTC]
I see! Thanks for telling me
I am always unsure about what kind of pencil I should use for drawing hair.
I think you did a great job blending the edges into the background
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Kalgoras In reply to BenFreaky [2011-08-15 14:34:41 +0000 UTC]
Well it's blended as best as possible, but there's always room to make it better I do hair a ton of different ways and I'm not yet happy with any of them hehe
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jdehaven In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 08:19:12 +0000 UTC]
Pretty rare that I am speechless- this is one of those occasions. All I can say is this is the best graphite pencil rendering I have ever seen in my entire life!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Kalgoras In reply to jdehaven [2011-08-15 08:23:12 +0000 UTC]
Praise indeed! Thanks so much Alas I have a long way to go to reach those giddy heights, but I'm pleased how this turned out, so it's another rung up the ladder of realism
If you thought this was good, well when you are sitting down with a strong drink you can take a peek at this: [link] One of my idols on here and where I'm aiming at heh
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Syra-Syra In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 08:13:04 +0000 UTC]
Wow! I have to agree, one of your best pictures yet! And only A4 too! The level of detail is pretty astounding and you've really outdone yourself with those skin-tones, -they look immaculate! And the black, it looks so well... black!
I seriously have nothing but praise for this piece, kudos to you!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Kalgoras In reply to Syra-Syra [2011-08-15 08:15:29 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much! Yeh it's my favourite so far, really pleased how it turned out
Hopefully it raises the bar and I have to keep this standard up now hehe
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Syra-Syra In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-15 08:18:41 +0000 UTC]
You're most welcome!
Yeah haha Puts a good incentive I suppose!
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Kalgoras In reply to Syra-Syra [2011-08-15 08:23:52 +0000 UTC]
Yeh, although I can't keep up with thanking people Seems there is a big crowd of Legolas fans on DA hehe...this image has been popular
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Syra-Syra In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-15 08:30:27 +0000 UTC]
I bet, it has been!
And with good reason!
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The-Theory-Liz In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 07:28:08 +0000 UTC]
This is extraordinary and your skin tones are really good in this piece.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
plasmapivot In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 06:31:45 +0000 UTC]
Holy fudge this is amazing. Excellent work!!!
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InsomniaRose In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 04:32:36 +0000 UTC]
Crap...and I was that sure it was a picture DX
the detail you put into this is amazing! I can't even imagine working that long on something this complex... I'm far too impatient to even try XD amazing result
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Kalgoras In reply to InsomniaRose [2011-08-15 07:45:47 +0000 UTC]
It does take time, but there is that little spark of pride at the end when it turns out as you hoped! Of course, you can be disappointed if it doesn't, but I got lucky on this one
Thanks for the comment!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
ArtbyGloriaColom In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 03:49:09 +0000 UTC]
Amazingly detailed! love it!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
ArtbyGloriaColom In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-15 22:37:52 +0000 UTC]
The pleasure is all mine!!
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Tattertot15 In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 03:45:49 +0000 UTC]
I swear to god, I looked at this picture and I thought to myself "It's a good photo, but nobody can replace Orlando Bloom" Lol, then I figured out it wasn't a photo.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Kalgoras In reply to Tattertot15 [2011-08-15 07:47:45 +0000 UTC]
Lol that's a good sign I don't mind people making that mistake...means I'm doing something right at least!
I've made his jaw a touch 'squarer' as it's a bit softer in the reference, but I'm not going to change anything on it...not worth the hassle heh
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miketcherry In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 03:33:17 +0000 UTC]
Very nice! Excellent tonal qualities.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
periwinklepaints In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 03:14:55 +0000 UTC]
......i give up WONDERFUL job!
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Kalgoras In reply to periwinklepaints [2011-08-15 07:48:34 +0000 UTC]
Nooo never give up! Just keep going! Thanks so much
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ecorecycletree In reply to ??? [2011-08-15 02:40:21 +0000 UTC]
Woah. This is so... I'm awestruck. GAHHH. LEGOLAS!!!!!! <3 I love him. And I LOVE this drawing. What DID you USE??
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Kalgoras In reply to ecorecycletree [2011-08-15 07:50:08 +0000 UTC]
Do you mean tools? I have the reference shot on there, so then just used Faber Castell pencils and a Staedler Mars Lumograph 8B for the background
Oh and lots of erasers and a wee bit of blending here and there
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