51 replies to this topic

[Melisah]

I've been trying to make a decent Coran portrait since before my computer went down (long story) and now that it's up and running again I was finally able to come up with something I was happy with. Domi did post these on the Coran thread but had I known about this thread I would have posted them here first to get some opinions and see what you guys think could use tweeking. I plan on working on the mask a bit more because it's just not quite right and the lips on both portraits need smoothing. By the way, I have no idea who the guy is in these pics, I just hope he doesn't mind me turning him into an elf, changing his hair and eye color and posting his pic on this forum.

What do you guys think of these?

P.S. The color quality is a bit choppy because I converted them from bitmap to JPEG. The bitmap ones (the ones that would be installed in the game) are much, much clearer.

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[Andyr]

Nice. If Domi and you agree, perhaps we could add it as an alternate for Coran in BG1 NPC?

[Melisah]

Nice. If Domi and you agree, perhaps we could add it as an alternate for Coran in BG1 NPC?

Thanks. I belive she all ready plans on doing that.

[NiGHTMARE]

Nice!

Perhaps once you've finished tweaking this, you might consider doing something similar for Kivan...

[Melisah]

It is very cute, the only thing which looks odd to me is that the ear starts angling away too low (a human's separates out at the eye level)

My daughter said the same thing but all I did to his ear was extend it into an elven one. His ear was in that position originally. What do you suggest I do to make it better aligned? Shouold it cut it out and move it up a bit?

[Melisah]

okay I moved it up a bit. Here is the a picture of the original on the left and the one on the right has his ear moved up a bit. I put them together so you can compare the two. I think you were right Domi, it does look better and I think it could stand to be moved up a bit more. Do you think it should be moved up more and do you think I should move up the other ear also? I think I'll have to especially if I move this one up higher. Let me know guys.

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[Melisah]

Yes, it looks more natural now.... Can you try to drop that stray strand of hair down to cover up the base of his ear all together? It may help as well to de-emphasise. 

I can do that. I also think his ear sticks outward a bit too much now that I moved it up so i'll tweek that as well. It'll probably take me a few days to get it right so I let you know in one way or another when I'm finished.

In the mean time if anyone else has any more suggestions I'd be happy to take them into consideration.

EDIT: I agree, it does look better.

[Amazor'dra]

*figured out what was bothering her*

Is it just me... or do the ears also look a tad too pink?

[Seifer]

The lower left of the neck is not clearly defined nor is the seperation between the neck and the face.

[Melisah]

The ear is slightly pinker than the rest of his face, but I plan on fixing that soon.

As far as the neck goes, the portraits aren't showing up as clearly as I would like them too. They are much clearer offline.

[Melisah]

The tweeking of this portrait is taking a bit longer than I had anticipated. I'm basically reconstructing the ear and because of that, the hair over the ear must be reconstructed accordingly. Frankly, it's being kind of a pain in the a$$.

I also shaded in a little around the chin line so his face is more defined and it has more seperation from the neck. Anyway, I know I'll get it done, it's just taking a bit longer than I though it would.

Oh and I haven't even started to re do the mask yet.

[Immortality]

I like how its coming along but:

1- Is it a mask or a tatoo? If its a tatoo id change the opacity, because its too dark, and if its a mask then it needs more detail

2- He needs a little more contrast in his face, to sharpen his angles, because the clothing has high contrast too.

[Jenova]

He looks lovely!!
The original portrait of Coran always gave me the creeps (I think it was his weeked smile...).

That guy looks like Antonio Banderas (?) from "The Mask of Zorro"... but he is to pale...

I hope there will be more? I just love your portrait just like those from The Portrait Portal site!

[Melisah]

I like how its coming along but:

1- Is it a mask or a tatoo? If its a tatoo id change the opacity, because its too dark, and if its a mask then it needs more detail

2- He needs a little more contrast in his face, to sharpen his angles, because the clothing has high contrast too.

1- It's still being a pain but I know I'll get it right eventually. By the way, thanks for asking.

2- Good question. I was wondering that myself. I wonder if there is any way to find out.

3- I agree but I haven't figured out how to do that yet with out loosing the over all apeal of his garb. I'm still trying to figure that one out too.

>>>Jenova, THANKS! I'm glad you like it. He does kind of look like Mr. Banderas now that you mention it but it isn't him. Frankly, I don't know who this guy is but his pic was the best one I could find for this particular portrait. I may make more someday, if I ever finish this one that is.

[Jenova]

I may make more someday, if I ever finish this one that is.

Oh yes! Please do that, pretty please!

[Melisah]

Melisah:

To do tatoos you can use the overlay option of the layers. Instead of having it at "normal" use "overlay" and change the opacity

To sharpen his angles I'd play with the Contrast and then with the Curves options.

For some reason, I can't figure out how to use the layers option. There are actually a few things I've had to in my regular old paint program and tweek it with the photoshop because it's just so darn complicated. Also, this program is VERY expensive, much more expensive than Paintshop pro and Paintshop Pro, (which I don't have any more) is easier to use and pretty much does the same things. I do know how to change the opacity though so that won't be a problem.