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Kalgoras — Legolas Graphite

Published: 2011-08-14 13:13:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 21837; 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

DiamonEyes In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 16:38:12 +0000 UTC]

DAMN!! You totally outdid yourself here! The contrast and shading just look phenomenal. I am not worthy!

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Kalgoras In reply to DiamonEyes [2011-08-14 17:01:48 +0000 UTC]

Cheers bud

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DiamonEyes In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 17:04:56 +0000 UTC]

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Kalgoras In reply to DiamonEyes [2011-08-14 17:05:14 +0000 UTC]

Icontastic

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gaysnail In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 16:31:41 +0000 UTC]

...THIS IS AWESOME.

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Kalgoras In reply to gaysnail [2011-08-14 17:01:55 +0000 UTC]

Thankyou!

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yvonne29 In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 16:03:02 +0000 UTC]

great work!!!

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Kalgoras In reply to yvonne29 [2011-08-14 17:02:01 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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LilaeaBluecoat In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 15:50:24 +0000 UTC]

Lovely work! Aside from all the obvious places, I think the texture of the fabric is especially nicely done!
For what it's worth, I think the tonal values are just perfect for this!

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Kalgoras In reply to LilaeaBluecoat [2011-08-14 15:54:41 +0000 UTC]

Thankyou! Yeh it's an improvement over the last few pieces, so now I just need to keep that tonal range wide

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hannahm7 In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 15:46:33 +0000 UTC]

I love LOTR and this is absolutely amazing! You've captured the essence of Legolas and the expression is awesome!

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Kalgoras In reply to hannahm7 [2011-08-14 15:56:13 +0000 UTC]

Thankyou! Yeh I really liked this reference piece He looks a bit more serious than he does in so many of his photos Elves are such a hard concept to portray hehe Trying to make them fair and 'light' without them seeming wishy washy is hard

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hannahm7 In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 16:00:24 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome! Well you managed pretty damn well! aha

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Kalgoras In reply to hannahm7 [2011-08-14 16:02:10 +0000 UTC]

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Vendrid In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 15:34:19 +0000 UTC]

Looks fantastic kal I agree with you looks to be your best yet

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Kalgoras In reply to Vendrid [2011-08-14 15:37:10 +0000 UTC]

Cheers Tom, yeh the higher contrast definately helps a ton I'm not afraid to go dark on skintones again now! Should help a bit

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Vendrid In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 15:45:58 +0000 UTC]

aye well it helps but even the over all quality has improved as well mate

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Kalgoras In reply to Vendrid [2011-08-14 15:47:33 +0000 UTC]

Thanks bud, yeh I've improved on proportions and a few bits as well, since using grid and just practice heh Pleased with it though When will we see your next stuff? Not even any new mini's yet?

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Vendrid In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-15 06:56:52 +0000 UTC]

yeah been a bit mad still not right since I was off ill but I have some to post very soon just got to finish it up last details

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Kalgoras In reply to Vendrid [2011-08-15 07:56:34 +0000 UTC]

Glad to have you back! Hmm that's been ongoing a while bud? Nothing serious I hope?

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Vendrid In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-15 15:29:28 +0000 UTC]

Ty mate good to have the net back finally. Na its nothing serious just going slightly nuts lol

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Kalgoras In reply to Vendrid [2011-08-15 15:34:51 +0000 UTC]

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esayelemay In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 15:24:42 +0000 UTC]

woweee he looks awesome!!
especially love how you drew his hair :)

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Kalgoras In reply to esayelemay [2011-08-14 15:29:50 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Salma! I hadn't done a larger pic for a while, so thought it was about time

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esayelemay In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 16:38:17 +0000 UTC]

xD

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ForceChild In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 15:14:15 +0000 UTC]

Amazing! I love the depth you managed to grasp in the eyes. And the lips look so realistic! Even the hair looks as if you could reach out and touch it. ^___^

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Kalgoras In reply to ForceChild [2011-08-14 15:18:53 +0000 UTC]

Aww thankyou!!

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ForceChild In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 15:19:50 +0000 UTC]

Anytime! ^_____^

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desdainart In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 15:05:57 +0000 UTC]

Yay!!! He's done, he's done!! He looks awesome! Very well done

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Kalgoras In reply to desdainart [2011-08-14 15:09:30 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Meks! Might have to tidy up his hair near the braid...messy But I need a rest ;D

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desdainart In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 15:19:16 +0000 UTC]

I kind of like it uneven like that-- not all braids are ever perfect.

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Kalgoras In reply to desdainart [2011-08-14 15:21:02 +0000 UTC]

Maybe not so much the braid itself but the hair just below right as we look at it

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desdainart In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 15:24:52 +0000 UTC]

It looks pretty damn good to me, but of course, only you would know best.

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Kalgoras In reply to desdainart [2011-08-14 15:30:58 +0000 UTC]

Are we ever happy with our work? I haven't seen anyone else complain yet, but to me it just glares at me out of the page Might have to do some work on it and re-upload at some point

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desdainart In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 15:32:07 +0000 UTC]

Haha.. I know the feeling. Do what you gotta do, my friend.

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Kalgoras In reply to desdainart [2011-08-14 15:37:30 +0000 UTC]

I'll have to reign in a bit...or I may end up burning everything

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desdainart In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 15:42:55 +0000 UTC]

Oh, no! Don't do that.. go take a break mister!

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Kalgoras In reply to desdainart [2011-08-14 15:43:48 +0000 UTC]

Lol I think I'll manage to control myself

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numbskulled00 In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 14:46:03 +0000 UTC]

he looks even more manly in this piece. great work

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Kalgoras In reply to numbskulled00 [2011-08-14 14:51:04 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! Yeh I've been staring at my reference a bit, and I've made his jaw a bit squarer...slightly more width and angle at the corners. I've just noticed he's got a softer jawline...but hey...it can stay

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numbskulled00 In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 15:04:34 +0000 UTC]

i like it-leave it! makes it more original that way. your awsome at drawing people-i suk

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Kalgoras In reply to numbskulled00 [2011-08-14 15:10:03 +0000 UTC]

All a matter of practice Anyone can do it!

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numbskulled00 In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 15:12:59 +0000 UTC]

well i'm gonna hafta practice harder,haha

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Gemela In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 14:25:21 +0000 UTC]

Amazing

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Kalgoras In reply to Gemela [2011-08-14 14:26:01 +0000 UTC]

Aww thankyou! ;D

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Zhifay In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 14:24:06 +0000 UTC]

So pretty! ANd I think you did a really good job on the hair, way to go!

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Kalgoras In reply to Zhifay [2011-08-14 14:25:39 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much!

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Terry-L-T-Kitto In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 13:42:44 +0000 UTC]

Woah! Woah! It's exactly as the reference - better in fact! The amount of detail is amazing; from the skin textures to the hair and the eyes - all on A4 aswell! You have improved tonnes, and this is definitely my favourite piece from you so far
- I'm glad i wasn't the only one to think the elves in the films were camp more than mystical - phew! I think Gimli should be your next bit of LOTR art! xD
But great job man!

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Kalgoras In reply to Terry-L-T-Kitto [2011-08-14 13:45:29 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! Yeh it's an impossible job portraying the power of Tolkien's elves in a film Haldir is a tad dodgy and one of Galadriels retainers is awful heh Orlando isn't bad however, so give him his due Not sure who to do next..thinking one of the ladies, then back to the males

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Terry-L-T-Kitto In reply to Kalgoras [2011-08-14 14:03:42 +0000 UTC]

Hehe definitely oooh, in that case.. the obvious would be Arwen ^^

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