[art, hosted] The Endless Battle: Elf Damosel vs. Orc Berserker! Come see!
- Thread starter Klaus
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Yes, very interesting POV, but it does look a little confusing. For example, I'm not quite sure whether the elf is kneeling on the bridge, or just crouching. Maybe some more shadows could help make the distinction. Likewise, the foreshortening of the orc's foot seems a little off (compared to the relative sizes of his shoulders vs his hands, for example). Combined with the relative lack of shadows around his foot, it makes it seem like the foot might be hanging in mid-air (I assume it's not...)
Second nit-pick: Obviously she's not actually parrying that greataxe with her rapier, merely trying to deflect it. At least, that's what my common sense tells me, but it's not so obvious from the picture. Also, even if she managed to deflect the axe past her torso, it still looks like she's gonna get a serious gash in her thigh...
Of course, this is all from someone who has virtually zero talent at drawing himself, let alone able to draw something people would actually pay money for on a regular basis.
I just call it as I see it...
Second nit-pick: Obviously she's not actually parrying that greataxe with her rapier, merely trying to deflect it. At least, that's what my common sense tells me, but it's not so obvious from the picture. Also, even if she managed to deflect the axe past her torso, it still looks like she's gonna get a serious gash in her thigh...
Of course, this is all from someone who has virtually zero talent at drawing himself, let alone able to draw something people would actually pay money for on a regular basis.
I just call it as I see it...
Klaus
First Post
Yeah, it's a nice POV, isn't it?
The anatomy is on, because I used a photograph for reference. There were times when I went "Is this right?", and then I looked at the photo and said "Well, if HIS foot is here, who am I to argue?".
The elf damosel is indeed parrying the axe with her longsword. The blade is even biting into the wood.
The anatomy is on, because I used a photograph for reference. There were times when I went "Is this right?", and then I looked at the photo and said "Well, if HIS foot is here, who am I to argue?".
The elf damosel is indeed parrying the axe with her longsword. The blade is even biting into the wood.
barsoomcore
Unattainable Ideal
Sweet!
Poses look fine -- I agree that some shadow work might help clear up the positioning a bit. It is maybe a bit confusing.
What struck me, though (as a swordsman) was the position of the elf's hands. It looks as though she is supporting the entire weight of her weapon between her right thumb and forefinger. She will surely break her hand like that. In addition, the left hand looks as though it is merely placed on top of the hilt when it should be gripping it tight in order to prevent the sword from flying from her hands.
I would:
A) twist the right hand further so that the palm is pointing straight up and pressed against the hilt. That will cause her forearm to rotate inwards and become more perfectly vertical (which is correct since it should be taking the impact). Her right elbow will draw in towards her torso.
B) Twist the left hand the other way so that again, the palm is pressed against the hilt and the fingers are curled around the hilt. That will cause her wrist to arc up and her forearm to rotate outwards. Her elbow will drop slightly, as well.
I think you'll find the entire image looks more dynamic and less posed in that case.
Just two cents...
Very cool! More more!
Poses look fine -- I agree that some shadow work might help clear up the positioning a bit. It is maybe a bit confusing.
What struck me, though (as a swordsman) was the position of the elf's hands. It looks as though she is supporting the entire weight of her weapon between her right thumb and forefinger. She will surely break her hand like that. In addition, the left hand looks as though it is merely placed on top of the hilt when it should be gripping it tight in order to prevent the sword from flying from her hands.
I would:
A) twist the right hand further so that the palm is pointing straight up and pressed against the hilt. That will cause her forearm to rotate inwards and become more perfectly vertical (which is correct since it should be taking the impact). Her right elbow will draw in towards her torso.
B) Twist the left hand the other way so that again, the palm is pressed against the hilt and the fingers are curled around the hilt. That will cause her wrist to arc up and her forearm to rotate outwards. Her elbow will drop slightly, as well.
I think you'll find the entire image looks more dynamic and less posed in that case.
Just two cents...
Very cool! More more!
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Dark Jezter
First Post
Go orc! Kill that stupid point-ear!
Great artwork, Claudio! I really like the new illustration style you're trying out.
Great artwork, Claudio! I really like the new illustration style you're trying out.
Not with those flimsy muscles she aint!Klaus said:
Heck I don't even think she has a bisceps on that right arm. Any swordfighter want to pipe in on whether it would even be possible to parry a greataxe using that stance? One that weight about as much as a small sledge hammer and is being swung two-handed overhead as if he's trying to ring the bell at the fair? Never mind that she's holding a rapier... that one is probably magical anyway. But I don't see how she would be able to absorb the impact of that greataxe in that way. Still think she'd do better to deflect it instead of parry it head-on...
A note on parrying:
The object of a parry is not to stop an opponents stroke, but instead to slightly adjust the trajectory of that stroke, hopefully so that the weapon passes through an area not occupied by your flesh. It is reliant on creating angles more than anything. As such, a thin bladed weapon strong enough not to break or bow is more than capable of parrying an axe haft.
Note the placement of the damosel's feet and blade. If we were to see this axe stroke to the end, it would likely end up on the ground a few inches from her right knee.
As for a tight grip versus a loose grip, it is actually better to have a loose grip than a tight one with your fulcrum hand. Your other hand then controls where the blade goes, using it as a big lever. Ideally, your fulcrum hand (the one higher on the grip) will look like an "A-OK" sign, with the index finger and thumb forming a circle. The other fingers can rest gently without supplying a great deal of pressure - they are there to help with the bottom hand's movements.
Ideally, the damosel would allow the axe to slide off the blade during the orc's follow through and then simply bring the blade around to chop at the right side of the orc's neck, just above the shoulder - this would be the most natural recovery stroke.
In other words, I think its just fine!
[Edit: I just looked at it again and noticed that it might be more accurate if the damosel stepped into the orc a bit more - usually this kind of parry takes place immediately over the head of the person doing a parry. Of course, then her hands would obscure her face from your chosen angle.]
The object of a parry is not to stop an opponents stroke, but instead to slightly adjust the trajectory of that stroke, hopefully so that the weapon passes through an area not occupied by your flesh. It is reliant on creating angles more than anything. As such, a thin bladed weapon strong enough not to break or bow is more than capable of parrying an axe haft.
Note the placement of the damosel's feet and blade. If we were to see this axe stroke to the end, it would likely end up on the ground a few inches from her right knee.
As for a tight grip versus a loose grip, it is actually better to have a loose grip than a tight one with your fulcrum hand. Your other hand then controls where the blade goes, using it as a big lever. Ideally, your fulcrum hand (the one higher on the grip) will look like an "A-OK" sign, with the index finger and thumb forming a circle. The other fingers can rest gently without supplying a great deal of pressure - they are there to help with the bottom hand's movements.
Ideally, the damosel would allow the axe to slide off the blade during the orc's follow through and then simply bring the blade around to chop at the right side of the orc's neck, just above the shoulder - this would be the most natural recovery stroke.
In other words, I think its just fine!
[Edit: I just looked at it again and noticed that it might be more accurate if the damosel stepped into the orc a bit more - usually this kind of parry takes place immediately over the head of the person doing a parry. Of course, then her hands would obscure her face from your chosen angle.]
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barsoomcore
Unattainable Ideal
Already did. Enkhidu has it largely correct -- although it will work just fine without it being directly overhead -- as long as the hands are positioned correctly, she shouldn't have too much trouble.Conaill said:
Except on the chance that her blade binds in the wood of the handle. That would be bad.
Again, great picture, and Claudio, you just keep getting better and better.
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