Ellessy on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/ellessy/art/Sterrenlicht-Commission-493063978Ellessy

Deviation Actions

Ellessy's avatar

Sterrenlicht - Commission

By
Published:
1K Views

Description

••• You are not authorised to use/redistribute this artwork in any way, shape or form. This is not stock. •••
:icondonotuseplz::iconmyartplz:



••• Stock Used •••
 Horse: venomxbaby -> [x]
 Mountains: AustriaAngloAlliance -> [x]
 Rocks: Burtn -> [x]
 Birds: FrankAndCarySTOCK -> [x] || [x]
 Wings: fillyrox -> [x]
 Manip: ExquisArt



••• About This Deviation •••
Commission for Canterwood Crest on ponybox.com

Time Taken: Approximately 50 hours.
Layers: Gave up counting after 150.
Programme: Photoshop
Tablet: Wacom Bamboo Pen & Touch

This was a lot of fun to make. Truly it was, except that by the end the file was so big PS & my laptop had trouble running it :o 
Most of my time went into the background (making skies is fun but slow work hahahaa) and into the horsies tail. The birdies were fun to do too, had trouble getting the lighting right on them. Anyhow tis a bit funky with the motion blur, but I was trying to capture that sense of... movement? Anyhow, a lot of stock went into this, so I'd like to add a little thank you to all the wonderful stock providers :3 (I should add I am ALWAYS grateful for wonderful stock :D)



••• © ExquisArt •••


Image size
1600x1817px 1.91 MB
© 2014 - 2024 Ellessy
Comments14
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
MrsEvelyn's avatar
:star::star::star-half::star-empty::star-empty: Overall
:star::star::star::star-empty::star-empty: Vision
:star::star::star-half::star-empty::star-empty: Originality
:star::star::star::star-empty::star-empty: Technique
:star::star::star::star-empty::star-empty: Impact

First of all I quite like this piece. It's overall mostly consistent and really flows together.
My favorite part would have to be the sky. I looked in your credits for sky or moon stock before reading you had made it yourself.

Having requested critique here are some things I'd like to point out though.
The first thing that stands out to me in this manip is the colour change in the horses face. Besides the bright moon, the horses face is what really steals my attention first so I think should seriously steal the show with some outstanding detail but that unfortunately is something I'm not seeing here. I feel as though you've added a little detail in some places, and also taken it away in others.
From looking at the stock image I can see you've added some definition in the branches of the jaw (that space between the jowl [or "cheek" area, that big bone equine manipulators like to really define] and the muzzle). Yet, I feel you have really taken away some lovely definition that the stock already had in some places; in particular around the eyes, specifically the zygomatic arch which is that bone above the socket, and I cannot see a hollow on the upper side of that bone like I'm seeing in the stock image and I see in every horses face. If you're not sure what I'm talking about I've highlighted where I think you've taken the definition away, here.
Another place I think could really use some more definition is the jowl. The sort of 'cheek bone' section of it it fine, and could maybe just use a highlight, but the back section where the head connects to the neck I'm seeing the bottom part of the jowl sucked into the neck almost.
Another place is also the nose. There's nothing more beautiful then a pretty little muzzle, but in this image I cant quite see the lips, they blend into each other; i can only just make them out (My screen is on full brightness!). And then in the Nose there is lighting left over from the stock image which I feel should of been painted out to match the lighting of this image. link.
I feel the eye is overly sharp compared to the face too, because the rest of the face just lacks in detail.
So on Join.mes I've seen you do horse prep. From memory you reduce noise, and then use white and black to basically tone on soft light? Sometimes some repainting etc.
I wont tell you exactly how I do all my details and prep my horse but I can tell you it evolves a lot of painting, not just relying on tones. With painting you'll find you have so much more control over your details, where as with white and black overlays there are things that will never go away or it will just create more of a sheen then a deep sort of detail. If you did do a lot of painting then perhaps you just need more practice.?
I think this tutorial will help you with the horse prep because It teaches you about how to achieve a sort of even canvas before you begin detailing which is something I think you'd benefit from.

The grounding is good, although If I look at the left for too long it appears to sort of be floating because the shadow doesn't start off intense from right underneath him and then sort of fizzle out. This walk through/tutorial I think may help you with shadows.

I think you've done the lighting well, though I think there needs to be some more shadow on the underside/right side of his face where the light is not hitting. There is some intense shadows on his neck and the rest of his body but for some reason just not on his face.
And the birds I feel need a lot more shadow where the light isn't hitting them, so on the side facing us.

The next thing is blurring. Unsure if it's a style thing but I'm finding the motion blur on the front legs distraction and a little unnecessary. and I'm unsure about the motion burr on the rock he's standing on - Unless the rock is moving also, I wouldn't think a blur like that is at all necessary. Not sure if it's the case, but perhaps spend a little more time detailing or blending before just giving it a blur!
You've also blurred the wings and I'm not sure why. They appear idol to me, and I'd imagine would only need a blur if they were flapping.

Lastly is the hair. I think the mane is really not your best. I'm finding the highlights very inconsistent and there just isn't muck flow to it.
With the tail, It's all one big strand. I remember once on a join.me with you a while ago I said to you something like "remember that horse hair flicks out in many different directions" because your tails seem to be always be one large slick of hair. Your response was "the tail is fine".
I'd like to put emphasis on the fact that the hair in a horses tail will splay everywhere.
It would be great to see some more flyaway etc. this is a walk through you may like.

Overall a smooth piece, really pretty.