Portraits

[Mondain]

I've just started drawing again after some years off (have never had much confidence in it). I used to do PC portraits for my old AD&D 2e, Warhammer frpg, Call of Cthulhu, and Rifts groups. Now that I am DMing two 3e games, because I cannot find the art I want I am more or less trying to do it on my own. I used to use pencil & paper for art but I've been trying to do it with Paintshop Pro and in the last two days have been trying to improve. I am new to EN World and figured this forum is a good place to post portraits and other art. I only have a few right now and some aren't that good (I am still learning).

This is what got me started in the first place. One of my players wanted a picture of my primary villain, Mondain (yes borrowed from Ultima, I award bonuses for anyone able to pick out gaming trivia details in my campaign), who was depicted in a black marble bust. I did not have any pic and felt bad so I decided to look for a pic of him. I could not find anything even close (I checked Elfwood and even pro galleries), so I made my own pic. I was not too hot in the first attempt and will probably redraw this one, adding in all the missing detail.

This was my second foray into Paintshop Pro, with which I was having a little more success (still getting used to the mouse). He is Dante of Kelemvor, a cleric of the Faerunian God of Death and integral character in my campaign. Although, maybe the pic does not convey it well he is a silvered aasimar of sorts. I was still just trying to get some basic skills down with this one.

[IMG]http://www.100megsfree.com/nyarlathotep/Sosaria/Dante%20001.gif

This character is a fire genasi pyromancer I am developing for an encounter with my PCs, and my third attempt with Paintshop. Because they are so overpowered (we take turns DMing a multiverse now and I am DM no. 2 and the last guy was new to D&D) I've really had to make him overpowered. He's got four shield guardians with a shot of quickened maximized repeat fireball and I gave him Simbul's Spell Matrix from Magic of Faerun. He is named Wrenda after the infamous villain from the first Wizardry game.

Anyway, let me know what you think of these and if anyone would like me to keep posting them. If someone needs help with a portrait, I can try my best, too.

Dave S. aka Mondain

 

[Mondain]

Frost Giant

I decided to tinker around and practice again this morning. I worked on a frost giant with the symbol of Thrym on his helm. If I had more time I work do more but I have stuff to get done anyway this is the frost giant I worked on. Any suggestions are very welcome as I am new to working with Paintshop Pro and PC art and also have not been doing art in a while (besides that fact that I have no formal training).

Dave S.

 

[Julie]

Nice work, I especially like your frost giant. Pretty impressive what you've done with Paint Shop pro considering that you have only just learned how to use it. I personally prefer the feel of a pencil and paper or a paintbrush. I like the watercolor effect you've used, it gives the giant a kind of tender look, unusual for a frost giant . It also gives the image volume, which I felt was lacking in your first two drawings. Keep up the good work.

Julie

 

[Malessa]

Impressive! Definately keep them coming!

I'm still learning PSP myself. Although I have yet to read the book, *yawn*. I found it better if I just scan a pic in and just start playing around with the tools. The best tool in there is the 'undo' arrow. It has saved my bacon more than anyone will know!