Friday 1 October 2010

Rules Compendium - Focal Points.

Taunting Memory

Acrylic, Approx 16" x 22"
©Wizards of the Coast.
Original artwork for sale.

The Dungeons & Dragons supplement Rules Compendium has just been released, and I am very happy to have a couple of pieces in the book. Whilst showcasing them I am also going to discuss how I try to bring focus into my work.

Taunting Memory was great fun as for once it depicts a group of characters socialising after the fight. Usually I find myself showing a combat in progress, but this time we get to see how the Dark Elf behaved when faced with a Beholder - although I also like the fact you could interpret this as a prophecy of events yet to happen - either way he doesn't look too happy about the telling.

The viewers first attention is drawn to the Dark Elf by the strong contrast of his skin and hair. Something further reinforced by his clear profile and the framing element of the light coloured picture on the wall behind him. The row of heads helps keep our attention in the upper part of the picture, whilst various lines, the Elven staff, Dark Elf's sword and scroll case, Dwarf's arm and roof beams, help draw the eye towards the conjured memory. This in turn is more saturated than the surrounding elements, again, hopefully, getting our attention.


Healing Hand

Acrylic, Approx 16" x 12.5"
©Wizards of the Coast.
Original artwork for sale.

Healing Hand has another appearance from Falon  (I'm getting quite familiar with this guy now), this time helping out Shara, who nearly bit off more than she could handle by taking on that Troll.

Shara's red clothing helps provide the colour contrast to make her and Falon the focal point, with the nice glowing hand provide the pinpoint. The softened, light. background, also helps pull our eye that way, whilst strengthening Shara's silhouette. It also allowed me to lose the edges around Falon, adding to the mystical feel.

13 comments:

  1. I think these are wonderful! Thank you for sharing and giving us some input! I think giving a description and actually telling us how YOU view the art and what you tried to accomplish is REALLY important to other artists who want to learn. Thank you!

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  2. Great tips Ralph, I also love the details and PoV on the second illustration.

    Keep up the good work!

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  3. agreed with Tallon, AMAZING! thank you!

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  4. Healing Hand is absolutely gorgeous. The blue-green colour scheme with the red accent on her provides a great sense of, well, healing... calming and soothing. I love how the troll though obviously dead has still got hold of her leg. I also very much like how the sword and the troll's arm frame the two characters.

    Thanks a great deal for providing insight into your painting decisions, it's so helpful.

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  5. First, these are gorgeous. Second, you are definitely one of my favorite D&D artists because you put actual thought into each piece.

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  6. Tallon: I am pleased that the explanation has proven useful. As this has recieved a positive response it is something I will try to bring in more to my blog entries.

    Felipe: Thanks. Also lots of 'triangles' in there. I find they crop up in my compositions a lot.

    Alex: Thank you.

    Sean: Yes, blue is associated with cleanliness and 'healing', and was a deliberate choice in that respect. I also let the swords silhouette stand out clearly against an uncluttered part of the background, whilst the bloody part has the contrast of the dark hair behind it.

    ShyDM: That's very kind of you. Thanks.

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  7. Wow, thank you for sharing this incite into your choices when constructing your illustrations. This sort of analytical look at art by the artist is always very helpful. Both pieces are beautiful, I especially like the top piece with all the costume detail and that it portrays characters interacting outside of a combat scenario.

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  8. Lance, very pleased my explanations are useful. Part of learning the craft has been to ask myself questions about all these aspects of a work - whetehrt I always give the right answers is another matter ;)

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  9. Helpful tips! (found the link on your deviantART journal) I will have to keep these in mind for future works of mine. :)

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  10. Its great to see scenes that, like you say in the post, are not in the midst of the action, but after the action. It's also cool that they're both emotionally very different. Beautiful pieces!

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  11. Guisemaker: I'm pleased to hear that my notes are useful. Thanks :)

    Matt: Thanks very much for your comment, much appreciated :) Looking forward to meeting you at Illuxcon.

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  12. I love that you know your craft so well (that is art in every sense of the word) and share your process. See the paintings develop is almost as exciting as seeing the final.

    W

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  13. Thanks very much Wren, appreciated :)

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