Completed Critique Winter's coming

[Andrew Craft]

Hi all,
I finished my Saxons today. I have never put two figures together before but after seeing Jazz put these two together I wanted to try it too.
I haven't done much ground work before either and nothing on this scale, I'm not sure if it needs a touch more colour or not. I have tried to make it look as if its just before the first snow fall because of the different clothing on the two figures. Anyway, some critique would be much appreciated.

Hope you like it, and thanks for looking.
Andrew.

 

[mao]

Magnifico!!!

 

[Edorta]

Good job Andrew. The idea of ​​this scene before the first snow is good, trees and ground are very well done. The general tone of the scene is very appropriate and consistent. But I must tell you that at the time of placing the figures, gives the impression that one is inclined to the left and the other to the right.

http://www.mininet.tv/egminiatures.html

 

[Babelfish]

Great job Andrew, you seem to be really cranking 'em out just lately. The figures look grand, and the basework & trees are excellent, though I'm not sure if the trees might be "looming" over the Saxons just a tad too much, and so detracting from them a bit?

But that's a minor (subjective) quibble and shouldn't detract from a very nice overall job. Thanks for sharing.

- Steve

 

[megroot]

Another stunning job Andrew. I like the whole setting.
One thing to look after again. The figure on the front hasn't his feet on the ground. The two feet's are above the groundwork.
Some putty and paint will deal with it.

marc

 

[Sambaman]

Andrew, you have a well conceived scene here! I think the painting on the figures is spot-on. The ground work is well rendered, but with that said, I have to agree with Steve here and say I think the scale of the trees overwhelms the figures a bit. The size seems too large and the figures get lost just a touch for me. Think of it this way, the photos you have here representing the scene are quite "intimate". That is to say that you have cropped in on the figures and we don't get a sense of the whole scene, and as such don't get a feel for the size of the trees as we don't see a picture showing the entire scope of the layout. I suspect if we were to pan out a tad the trees would dominate the look even more. Also, and it's funny because I like both the ground work and the painting of the figures, but it looks a bit "monochromatic" over all to me. On one hand, it's very appropriate that the figures "blend in" with their surroundings. On the other hand, considering this is an "interpretation" and a much smaller scale, I want more contrast somewhere, either the figures from the ground work or more colors (more fall leaves maybe) on the setting. I could be all wet there though! These figures work well together and you've knocked out another great piece. Just some food for thought going into the next project. Well done!

Jay H.

Just as a side note. I'm of the school of thought that all of the groundwork should be painted. This to match the same "look and feel" of the painted figures placed in the scene. I'm not saying you have to paint it, I just like that look better. Smaller scale trees might allow an easier means for painting and blending-in that aspect the next time.

 

[Meehan34]

Excellent work on the figures sir but there are some very valid points in the posts above. Firstly the figures placement does make them look tilted but that is a super easy fix. Jay's comments are pretty much exactly what I would say. This is still a very well rendered idea. Keep on keepin on sir.

 

[Trep]

Good work, very nice

 

[Andrew Craft]

Thanks for the feedback guys. After reading the feedback and viewing the piece for a day this is where I think I went wrong: I tried to pick out colours in the base and trees to paint the figures as I wanted them to blend in and make it look dark and dismal and keep it very natural looking, but I agree it ended up being all to monochromatic when I put it all together, lesson learnt on that one. I think where I went wrong with the trees was I was trying to make it look like they were in the middle of an old forest and just put in too much, forgot the old less is more saying. I probably should have made the base a little smaller and gotten rid of the bigger tree near the Andrea figure. I am quite happy with how I painted the figures I just need to refine my groundwork skills.
I was wondering if airbrushing all the groundwork and trees in a dark wash or two might help make the figures stand out a little more? Also as suggested throwing in a few autumn leaves for colour.

Thanks again, for the critique.
Andrew

 

[Jazz]

Well Andrew, I thought you would do a good job with these and by golly you have done a good job with these. I think it is a wonderful large piece and although I agree somewhat with the earlier comments I feel that the trees and the depth of the base give the figures a feeling of isolation and vulnerability. As though some unseen adversary is watching them. All in all. a good scene. Well done.

 

[Andrew Craft]

Thanks John glad you like it, as I said it was your version of the two together that inspired me

 

[harrytheheid]

I think that is an excellent little vignette. Somewhat reminicient of two rangers of the Night Watch from GofT.
Cheers
H

 

[Andrew Craft]

Thanks Harry that was the kind of feel I was going for

 

[sancho7]

J'aime beaucoup, beau travail !

 

[marco55]

Everything looks great to me.It looks like the Dark Ages.
Mark