Major Imperial Guard Finished...Almost!

[theseeker]

The Major is 99% finished. I thought he was until I took these pics with a 12mp camera and discovered some areas that need a little work.
The face was done in oils and everything else in acrylics. This was my first attempt with an acrylic uniform, draping and shading. It's not great but i learned a great deal and I understand why so many people love them. If I had done this figure in 100% oils, I might be half way finished.
Please give me your critiques and advice! I will be starting two new figure this week. My wife leaves Wednesday and I will have FIVE full days to paint.
Don't be shy, I want to get much better!

 

[Sambaman]

Rocky, the face on this guy is just right! You did a stand-up job on that for sure. Now. don't get angry with me, but I have a few suggestions for a couple other things. Your oils on the face are subtle and smooth, the trasitions on the blue ahdows and highlights on the jacket need more transitions. They seem a tad harsh for me. Your golds are spot-on for color, I would think about adding some dark brown washes to them to add a bit of depth to the cords, the "flounders" and the tassels and braids, and even the metal eagle on the front of the hat. Some shadows on the "bomb" on top of that hat in the reds would lend depth there as well. Your shadows on the plume look a tiny bit forced for me. Remember overhead lighting and the fact that each of those feathers would be darker at the bottom, and certainly more shadows would fall towards the insides where the feathers come toghether along the center. Don't take these as criticisms, just suggestions. I think you're certainly showing GREAT potential here, and if you push yourself just a tad farther, you will really be bringing one to the table! Keep it up!

Jay H.
OKC

 

[Roc]

Hey Rocky, good work, I like what you have done with this figure.
Thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Roc

 

[Tommi]

Rocky this has turned out real nice, such a transformation of the painting since your last post,
Cheers
Tommi

 

[megroot]

Rocky,

Good work. I'm with Jay.
If i may make some little comment.
Why are his side-whiskers black and his hair grey. Normally the side-whiskers are the first one who are turning into a grey color.
Just my two-cents.

Marc

 

[Guy]

Rocky, the face on this guy is just right! You did a stand-up job on that for sure. Now. don't get angry with me, but I have a few suggestions for a couple other things. Your oils on the face are subtle and smooth, the trasitions on the blue ahdows and highlights on the jacket need more transitions. They seem a tad harsh for me. Your golds are spot-on for color, I would think about adding some dark brown washes to them to add a bit of depth to the cords, the "flounders" and the tassels and braids, and even the metal eagle on the front of the hat. Some shadows on the "bomb" on top of that hat in the reds would lend depth there as well. Your shadows on the plume look a tiny bit forced for me. Remember overhead lighting and the fact that each of those feathers would be darker at the bottom, and certainly more shadows would fall towards the insides where the feathers come toghether along the center. Don't take these as criticisms, just suggestions. I think you're certainly showing GREAT potential here, and if you push yourself just a tad farther, you will really be brining one to the table! Keep it up!

Jay H.
OKC

I have to agree with Jay. Adding some shadows here would really make the cords and emblem pop out and give them depth.

 

[theseeker]

Rocky,

Good work. I'm with Jay.
If i may make some little comment.
Why are his side-whiskers black and his hair grey. Normally the side-whiskers are the first one who are turning into a grey color.
Just my two-cents.

Marc

Marc,

According to Andrea that is a wig for formal occasions. Thanks for the compliment.

 

[theseeker]

Rocky, the face on this guy is just right! You did a stand-up job on that for sure. Now. don't get angry with me, but I have a few suggestions for a couple other things. Your oils on the face are subtle and smooth, the trasitions on the blue ahdows and highlights on the jacket need more transitions. They seem a tad harsh for me. Your golds are spot-on for color, I would think about adding some dark brown washes to them to add a bit of depth to the cords, the "flounders" and the tassels and braids, and even the metal eagle on the front of the hat. Some shadows on the "bomb" on top of that hat in the reds would lend depth there as well. Your shadows on the plume look a tiny bit forced for me. Remember overhead lighting and the fact that each of those feathers would be darker at the bottom, and certainly more shadows would fall towards the insides where the feathers come toghether along the center. Don't take these as criticisms, just suggestions. I think you're certainly showing GREAT potential here, and if you push yourself just a tad farther, you will really be bringing one to the table! Keep it up!

Jay H.
OKC

Jay,

Thanks for the comments. The shading is too harsh on the shirt, no doubt. Trying to do this is in acrylic is much more difficult than oils. I washed the golds with a few washes of brown but I can always add more. The bomb is a difficult little item to paint but I will take your advice and give it a shot.
The plume had just been started which I failed to mention.
I appreciate your suggestions and your compliments.

Rocky

 

[paulyrichard]

Great work, I like the fleshtones, not overdone like some. Nice one.

 

[theseeker]

Rocky, the face on this guy is just right! You did a stand-up job on that for sure. Now. don't get angry with me, but I have a few suggestions for a couple other things. Your oils on the face are subtle and smooth, the trasitions on the blue ahdows and highlights on the jacket need more transitions. They seem a tad harsh for me. Your golds are spot-on for color, I would think about adding some dark brown washes to them to add a bit of depth to the cords, the "flounders" and the tassels and braids, and even the metal eagle on the front of the hat. Some shadows on the "bomb" on top of that hat in the reds would lend depth there as well. Your shadows on the plume look a tiny bit forced for me. Remember overhead lighting and the fact that each of those feathers would be darker at the bottom, and certainly more shadows would fall towards the insides where the feathers come toghether along the center. Don't take these as criticisms, just suggestions. I think you're certainly showing GREAT potential here, and if you push yourself just a tad farther, you will really be bringing one to the table! Keep it up!

Jay H.
OKC

Jay,

Thanks for the comments. The shading is too harsh on the shirt, no doubt. Trying to do this is in acrylic is much more difficult than oils. I washed the golds with a few washes of brown but I can always add more. The bomb is a difficult little item to paint but I will take your advice and give it a shot.
The plume had just been started which I failed to mention.
I appreciate your suggestions and your compliments.

Rocky

 

[theseeker]

Paul, Tommi, Rock,

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[Marcel]

Thanks for the comments. The shading is too harsh on the shirt, no doubt. Trying to do this is in acrylic is much more difficult than oils. Rocky

Rocky I don't think it's more difficult than oils. It's a different painting style. The harsh shading is easy to correct. Make different mixtures of paint between the deep shadows and highlights and apply them next to easy other. After that thin the paints enough and apply it on the transitions.

Keep up the good work, you can do it!!

Marcel.

 

[John Bowery]

Rocky,
Looks well done and great advice above.
Cheers
John

 

[theseeker]

John,

Thanks!

Marcel,

Thanks for the advice I will give it a try. I would prefer to work with acrylics on clothing but I don't see myself switching from oils for skin.

Rocky