The Break In - Sketch

Did about three of these before I nailed the action and intensity I wanted.  I titled it "The Break In."  I see the scenario as the dragon broke into the keep and our hero jumps into action.

Break In sketch (small)

I will get ArtRage fired up.  I like the 1280 X 1024 size; I feel it gives more room to work.  I also want t try a 300 DPI setting on the painting.

This will be a study in aura effects.  The two swords will both have a magical auras / glow effects.  I also want to see if I can motion blur some on this piece.  Think I will need to do more brush work with the oils.

Last Thing - Done

Finished that rework I showed in the last post.  Very happy withe the final results...

Title: Last Thing (With this Orc scout hunting you.. this is the last thing you see)

Orc Do-Over Work In Progress

Wanted to post a work in progress (WIP).  In my Redux post I mentioned on bring back a Orc Bowman piece and redoing it in Artrage3 with the new techniques I have started to use.

I never posted WIP.  However here is the newly named "Last Thing" (as this is the last thing you see before you get an arrow in you head) work in progress:

Last Thing WIP #1

Not shown in the screenshot is the layers window.  This is two layers with the tracing image (the original sketch, in Redux, post) on at apx 20% opacity.  The first layer I do a color wash with the airbrush to set my tones.  I also sketched in (with the Art Pen) a cloak wanted to add to show the breeze.  Going to do a wintery background, clouds and some snow flurries.   

I set the canvas to little larger than the 1024 x 768 that I typically use (set at 1280 x 1024).  And taking my time on the painting .  Using oil tubes the pallet knife and dry brush; use the airbrush to fill in shadow.  I only have the arm and leather gauntlet hand done and already I feel this going great.

Now just need a larger Wacom Tablet.  hmmm

UpDate (7/23/10)

Coming Along:

Last Thing WIP 2

Got home from work did little more before off to play:

WIP #3

Redux

As I have broken into a new style I think I'll redo a previous work I have.

Here is the orginial sketch:

Feels strange going back and redoing some previous work.  Version 1 came out pretty good.  However, I feel this has potential to be even better.  I did a free (all digital) sketch last nigh in the new AR3, got my settings the way I like and did a few presets.

Now I'll take this orc on.

Little AR Upgrade

I upgraded from  ArtRage 2.6 to ArtRage 3 Studio (not pro).  I got 2.6 for only a few cents (I had PayPal money laying around).  And you get a great discount for upgrading from 2.6 to 3.0.

The art pen and the tool presets will be a great additon.

Currentyl I'll use a:
  Dry Brush
  Very light airbrush
  Narrow (one percent) pen

When I work so setting up presets will be very handy.  Few other features also will be nice to use.  Looks like you get a discount when upgrading to Studio Pro.

Got a few ideas sketched down.  One for a Orc Death Knight (in a winter cold environment as a study in doing snow and ice.) 

Or might go back and redo some older work in ArtRage. 

Torch

From sketch in previous post I did a study fire and lighting.  

"Our dragon hunter meets the infamous dragon, appropriately named, Torch."

Little More Inspiration

Got a copy of John Howe Fantasy Art Workshop on the way

Love these kind of books.  Excited to flip through.

Also working on a new piece I call Torch.  It will be a study in fire.

Here is the sketch..