[pierre]

This is something I did today.

I wasn't going to post this, because it sucks. But since it is only a sketch I can blame it on that.

I remember doing a small sketch of the battle of Hastings when I was 12 years old. I actually borrowed the composition of that sketch to do another one here.

I have a great weakness for battle scenes and perhaps I'll make a painting of this one some day.

[Basement bound]

Pierre, I don't think this one sucks. I think it has some wonderful possibilities, the composition is solid. My only crit is that it is very strong in the middle and I think that there is a need for something to draw the eye to the right. The dagger flash... nice touch.

JA

[JickyJak]

I think the speed at which this one was apparently painted adds to the 'movement and chaos' of the battle. Good job.

[Hadoken]

Yeah, that's just terrible.

I really like the sketchy style, and I think you captured the feeling of a battle quite well.

Personally I wouldn't change much about it, and I'm glad you decided to post it even if you don't like it.

[lookitsfrank]

PIKEMEN! wow. I really like this. nice composition. how long did it take? basement bound is right about drawing your eye to the right, I think. I would add nice red flag above the mass of people to the right, or a flagbearer or something. overall, wonderful job, even if you don't like it.

[Cos]

Good job considering it's a sketch, a few elements look wrong.. some heads seems too big for bodys or where they are in relation to others, some don't seem to connect to the bodys very well, some poses are strange.

Colours are good but could tie in to each other better, not sure if that blue sky is working with the foreground figures with the warmer reds and yellows... But saying all that, it still has an impact which holds the piece together and is great, would definetely be worth taking further.

[gLitterbug]

I have to say that this picture has alot of impact imho. Looking over some flaws, I think it�s done very well and much better than most people over here would be capable of.

I think Cos is right about the sky color and the red-yellow that goes on in the foreground. Maybe you could darken the sky and put some red on the other guys too to get the feel of a night scene where fires are burning.

I think the composition is right as is, I don�t want my eye to be drawn to the right. The guy in the foreground is a perfect focal point I think. At least for me it works really well.

[Quasar]

I really like it..I know it's loose but I didnt really look at your name at first and when I seen the sketch I thought it was craig mullins...spooge...that's a compliment by the way

[gLitterbug]

@Quasar: HA, that was exactly what I thought first, I thought, spooge got another name again?
I just was a bit surprised how little to no "whoa!" replies have been given.

[Icannon]

awesome. the front guys skin seems overly red to me. the faces\weapons\speed\perspective are great!

[madmouth]

oooooh....it gives me chills. what a fabulous picture. awesome

[Speve-o-matic]

A definite "Spoogeyness" here.

The ultra warm colours on the right hand side of that one soldiers face looks a little out of place to me.

Aside from that, I think it's working incredibly well.

- Steve

[Light]

hard to believe this is not a work by mullins..

this is nice.. its different that a batle scene is made with light colors

Not much to say as quite well done. Only things I can say is Id try to extend the red light into more of the people there.. Also the blue sky looks not the most artistic.

[Rich Schleifer]

Very nice rendering! It looks good as is, but could be better if you tighten it up in a few areas. Some spots are nice and detailed while others are just too sketchy. I hope I am making sense.
Richman

[ December 24, 2001: Message edited by: Rich Schleifer ]

[Indian_Prophet]

pierre

I really admire your talent. You are one of the best I believe. Don't you have a website?
Surely you have a website with tutorials and such. I would like to see it...

Peace

[Highfive]

You shouldn't be disappointed with this at all. It looks really good as it shows a lot of depth. And Gor Blimey, if this is just a SKETCH, then your paintings must look mind-blowing!

[Totuus]

Rated you with five stars.. DA MAN you rule!
That's awesome!

[pierre]

Thank you all for the comments and crits

To answer a question, it took an evening, some three to four hours all in all. The comp was my biggest headache, even though I had good guidance from a previous sketch.

Having had a great distance from this sketch due to the christmas holiday it looks even worse.

I think all of you make sense in your crits and it has been very valuable to know about them.

I usually try to be as physically correct as I can when I paint, i.e. I try my best to imitate natural phenomena. But that doesn't nesscessarily mean that I will change whatever natural phenomena that does not "work" for the picture. I.e I don't hesitate to be "physically incorrect" inorder to make my painting visually better.

Thanks again
Pierre

[bigfoot]

FANTASTIC!!!!!

You say this is only a sketch?
If I were you, I wouldn't change one thing!

The loose style, compliments the action.
Don't change a thing!!!!!!
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!

[Indian_Prophet]

pierre

How do you typically work a painting. Do you primarily sketch from your head using some reference? Just curious of how you break down a concept from beginning to final painting. Step by step.
I take it you don't have a personal website only a commercial one that you only use for showing your work to potential customers?

peace

[pierre]

thanks bigfoot, I am really flattered.

Indian Prophet,
There are many different ways I go about a painting. I usually don't use any references when I sketch, and I didn't use any on this one either. The sketching phase, as I see it, is the most important stage, as the rendering of the final painting is, at least for me, pretty much a mechanical process. Very often, I pretty much have a relative clear mental image of what I want. To translate that image I think very big in the beginning, and usually make some thumbnails to work out my main forms(3d). Once the main forms are worked out I go closer to the image and work out smaller objects. Once I feel happy with the structure, I render the sketch. As I get many ideas during rendering, many things change. The sketching phase is a very quick process. Not quick in the sense that I don't think before I put paint on the canvas. I take the time to think and when I am done, I swiftly give the stroke of paint, kind of like fencing. Think before you attack.

To sum up, I work out my forms from big to small, then render them.

I am a student and at the moment, I find no time (the truth is that I am to lazy for web programming) to work out a nice website.