The Arena (WIP)

It's been a bit too long since I've put anything up on the old bords here, but at long last, i have my computer back, my scanner, an internet connection, and all that while I'm working on a piece... so it's wipin' time!

Currently up is The arena, a piece for DonnchadH featuring 2 versions of DonnchadH from various realities, a flame tossing cow-girl, and an evil lizard guy battling it out in a fixed tournament hosted by a universe conquering alternate reality version of DonnchadH.

The work has gotten boiled down to two sketches and while DonnchadH has selected the one he wants to go with, he also wanted me to post both of them up here on the bords to get you guy's opinions as to which is the better of the two top layouts.

In Layout #1, I had a bit of trouble getting all the elements in, but in the end I think i have a fairly dynamic and interesting composition. The main hero Donn (the one I see most often from the works that have been done of DonnchadH's characters, will be in the extreme foreground looking back over his shoulder as the dead that Evil Donn has summoned fly and swirl out of the eye and around the combatants. The armored Donn stands facing hero Donn, his armor bashed and cracked, a deep gash in his arm, grinning through his broken helmet as he sees the tide of battle about to turn in his favor. Further back is Flaming Mistress, a fireball in hand ready to chuck it at Eck, but turning to look up at the new horrific development in the fight. Eck, barely visible, perches ready to dodge on the wall to the throne, a wall scorched from Flamings attacks. On the dais, cloaked mostly in shadow, is Ebil-D summoning forth the dead from the Eye Window.

In Layout #2, I tried to give all the characters a bit more equal weight wile still keeping things interesting. I focused in on the two heroes, Donnchad and Flaming, getting ready to fight back-to-back the new hoard of the dead. Armored Donn wipes blood from his partially exposed face as he bleeds through the cracks in his armor and grins, knowing the tide has turned. Eck clings to a pillar or spike waiting to dart another blast from Flaming and watching to see how the situation develops. Ebil-D is on the dais again, in shadow, summoning the dead from the eye window.

Either way, more to come and it comes... and here very soon, there should be another Rowr for all to see gracing the posts of this forum

It's very cool to watch your work progress.

Very nice, as with everything you do, Looking forward to it.

you live ! (in sin with another forumer :P ) its great that your back on the forums and in game and your wips look so cool

Woot! More Graver art, even if they are WIPs. Welcome back to cyber civilization

You know, I was actually beginning to wonder where you had disappeared! Good to hear that you're still among the living.

Gotta hand it to you, you make it tough for the commisioner to choose a pose/layout! There are aspects to both of those pictures that I just love.

The first one is a lot more dynamic, with more motion to it. I'm not sure if you've ever read "How to Draw the Marvel Way," but it vividly reminds me of the comic book page comparison section. There were two strips one with flat, head on 'camera' angles, the other was very dynamic and moving. This would definitely be in the second category!

The second one is covered with awesome postures and figures. Even in roughs... *shakes fist* Curse your mastery of anatomy! I like the back to back you have going on between DonnchadH and Flaming Mistress too, very heroic.


Don't be a stranger on these boards mate, we like seeing your WIPs! Okay, I can't speak for everyone, so I'll be more correct, I like seeing your WIPs!

I'd say Layout #1, it seems more dramatic to me.

1 is interesting, and has a bit more "Depth" to it (well, feels larger.) OTOH, 2 gives more of a ... "Good vs evil" seperation (to me, at least) and, I think, lets all the characters be seen "better."

See my Guides and Tutorials

I like #1 more. #2 isn't bad at all, but #1's definitely got it goin' on.

welcome back Graver

I so love to see your WIPs. There is a lot to be learned from them for an amateur like me.

As for these 2

1: More dramatic and action oriented this is the one I prefer . It looks a lot more like it is part of a story. Its drawback I would say is thet the focus seems to be on the Tank with the rest of the characters playing backdrop.

2. As the potential of showing more details of each characters but it looks like a poster. Like a pose not a live shot.

I am not sure I make sense, I hope I do.

I vote for #1. Love the perspective in that layout.