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Species Western Dragon
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I've been experimenting with different shading techniques on this image, trying to get something that works well, without taking two days to do.
This is completely shaded using the dodge and burn tools, and it's a tad sloppy. But I think that adds a bit of texture and character to it that a clean shading job would be missing, it's also had the effect of looking like shiny bronze.
That's not to say I don't intend to do a better job next time. I think I'm going to use this technique more often, since it does really give me nice results.
I've moved the flats version to scraps.
Again any general comments or constructive criticism is welcome ^.=.^
This is completely shaded using the dodge and burn tools, and it's a tad sloppy. But I think that adds a bit of texture and character to it that a clean shading job would be missing, it's also had the effect of looking like shiny bronze.
That's not to say I don't intend to do a better job next time. I think I'm going to use this technique more often, since it does really give me nice results.
I've moved the flats version to scraps.
Again any general comments or constructive criticism is welcome ^.=.^
Category All / Muscle
Species Western Dragon
Size 1280 x 1280px
File Size 783.7 kB
I made a copy of my color layer and used the tools directly on that, so I could adjust the opacity of it if I needed too. I actually completely forgot about using the blending options >.=.>
I'm not sure if now if I'm going to shade like this more often, I used to do it with colored brushes but that took me a long time, where this is much faster.
I'm not sure if now if I'm going to shade like this more often, I used to do it with colored brushes but that took me a long time, where this is much faster.
Cleaned up the lines even more it seems, more tapering, resolution, antialiasing, refining...? (I really am to lazy to do both side-by-side.)
The shading is quite good. I'm liking the bulge, light and shadow quite well. Again, good use of some reference object to convey just how immense the character is. I'm definitely one to catch a thrill looking at the big fella. It does give an increase to the heart rate, and I have to say woof what a hot dragon...!
Hopefully constructive thoughts:
As it stands, the character seems to be made of plastic. Everything shiny and smooth, no scaly texture at all, no bumps, corrugations, pits, scratches, blades, spines, or phalanges - at least none that aren't perfectly smooth and polished to also look plasticy too. Look at teeth. Look at animal horns. Look at reptile hide. Look at your favorite dragon skin illustrated. Complicated by lots of fiddly bits. These make an image epic, and honestly are why reptile lovers love images the best - the detail. You've given excellent muscle anatomical detail and shading work. I'm just saying this is another perhaps harder row to hoe. However, once hoed, it'll become easier. Hoe, hoe, hoe!
Needs a skosh more anger that's recognizable on the brow.
Similarly, anger in the curling of the lip off the teeth somewhere near the front.
Might consider neck tendon sticking out with angry tension, just look at yourself VERY angry in mirror and see what you see.
Re-think what shape anger might give to your nostrils - flattened? Flared? Probably the latter...
Your eyes may be slitted, but that size and angle looks too passive - look at how angry, predatory eyes might look like on you - make for a dangerous overall expression, better fit a huge dragon ready to stomp cars and charge his enemy!
I think that does it. I guess you have to eat me now.
The shading is quite good. I'm liking the bulge, light and shadow quite well. Again, good use of some reference object to convey just how immense the character is. I'm definitely one to catch a thrill looking at the big fella. It does give an increase to the heart rate, and I have to say woof what a hot dragon...!
Hopefully constructive thoughts:
As it stands, the character seems to be made of plastic. Everything shiny and smooth, no scaly texture at all, no bumps, corrugations, pits, scratches, blades, spines, or phalanges - at least none that aren't perfectly smooth and polished to also look plasticy too. Look at teeth. Look at animal horns. Look at reptile hide. Look at your favorite dragon skin illustrated. Complicated by lots of fiddly bits. These make an image epic, and honestly are why reptile lovers love images the best - the detail. You've given excellent muscle anatomical detail and shading work. I'm just saying this is another perhaps harder row to hoe. However, once hoed, it'll become easier. Hoe, hoe, hoe!
Needs a skosh more anger that's recognizable on the brow.
Similarly, anger in the curling of the lip off the teeth somewhere near the front.
Might consider neck tendon sticking out with angry tension, just look at yourself VERY angry in mirror and see what you see.
Re-think what shape anger might give to your nostrils - flattened? Flared? Probably the latter...
Your eyes may be slitted, but that size and angle looks too passive - look at how angry, predatory eyes might look like on you - make for a dangerous overall expression, better fit a huge dragon ready to stomp cars and charge his enemy!
I think that does it. I guess you have to eat me now.
I wouldn't eat you, you are absolutely right >.=.>
I'm definitely going to texture it, I don't have scales though, more of a tough leathery hide. So that's likely the texture I'll try to emulate.
There are a few more details missing as well, such as scars and other details. And the head could use some tweaking as you said, I don't look nearly as angry as I should, I may even go right in and restructure some of the line work and recolor/shade it.
Now that you've mentioned it, I just can't leave it like this >.=.> It's so incomplete...
I'm definitely going to texture it, I don't have scales though, more of a tough leathery hide. So that's likely the texture I'll try to emulate.
There are a few more details missing as well, such as scars and other details. And the head could use some tweaking as you said, I don't look nearly as angry as I should, I may even go right in and restructure some of the line work and recolor/shade it.
Now that you've mentioned it, I just can't leave it like this >.=.> It's so incomplete...
It's always amazing how much of a difference is made with when an image is shaded. Nice job on it. I think the use of the use of the burn tool gives it a nice traditional...smoky look, heh. As usual, your muscle anatomy is amazing! I'll definitely be looking closely at an anatomy chart next time I draw something uber beefy, instead of just referencing it a bit.
On that note, I have something I should upload >.=.<
On that note, I have something I should upload >.=.<
Pal, you've made it. Here you look really better! The shading IS impressive. But I'm agree with 
bear-paws. You MUST have scales! I know they are pretty difficult to draw, I guess. However, you would look awesome with scales. Besides, I'm agree with bear-paws into another matter: I'm really thrilled when watching this huge dragon!
bear-paws. You MUST have scales! I know they are pretty difficult to draw, I guess. However, you would look awesome with scales. Besides, I'm agree with bear-paws into another matter: I'm really thrilled when watching this huge dragon! 
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