Shock & Awe

31 minutes ago, Hawkoon said:

Let's see if you can spot my entry next time @Shock & Awe 😉

I never said it was the base to be honest, I didn't really clock it till just now. It was more the way you use lighting and your highlight style. But I think it is hard for the people who have been in the painting competition for any length of time not to recognize each other's little signatures in places. I did not even think it might be taken as a negative that I spotted it right out - because I earnestly meant the paint job - not the base. Sorry if that came off wrong! 

Excellent work on the rust effects. While I know the model is the focal point, I always feel like a plain base robs the model of a story. I think it could up the overall feel a bit to add a bit of narrative to the base with some real simple decoration. 

Very clean and an overall beautiful paint job. Just my personal taste, but I feel like going to dark on the photo can swallow up details at times. It’s very atmospheric, but I want to see all of it  

As soon as I saw this I knew who painted it because I have envied their use of lighting for a long time. God that directional highlighting is so dang good. Beautiful work as always! 

That base! Man. So good. The light from below is sooooo good. I love the whole thing, but the story you’ve created with it is amazing 

Love the freehand, love the base, love the colors… wonderful composition 

I love the pipes. A very moody piece and lovely to look at. Another incredibly clean Envy in a mess of amazing Envies. 

I agree with the previous comment. A bit higher on the highlights for the metal would help it read more as metal and separate it from the smoke, for example. 

I absolutely love the green/gold armor. That is such a striking color. The balance of color in the composition is also really eye pleasing. 

I love the horse SO much. Beautiful weathering. The sword is spot on as well. 

I can 100% tell this is a wicked good paint job, but I agree that the photos hurt you a little. Zoomed in just blurred the details, which is a shame because I’m pretty sure they are top notch! 

I love the battle worn look and the set up! Rock, smash! 

The weathering is spot on. Perhaps go with slightly lower lighting to reduce the glare effect. I think it takes a bit away from the presentation in my opinion. 

With the frame of reference I think you did a pretty good job of pulling it off! I wouldn’t have thought of even trying that effect, so good on you for thinking outside the box! 

I had a nice chuckle at your setting, Ototo hovering over a rabbit. Hope he ain’t thinking about dinner! 

This works really well compositionally. Great job on the pig skin and we’ll placed highlights. 

I have to agree on both counts with the gentlemen above. Absolutely world class skill on the metals. The execution is so good one can’t help but be impressed. But, as @Hawkoon noted, the eye does feel like it doesn’t have a focal point because there’s nothing to counterbalance the metal. Again, this is like pointing out a mm size spot in the Sistine Chapel. 

Great overall composition. I think all the elements really work well together. It might be fun to try and add a drip effect with the blood on the ?stinger? Next time 

The level of shine is bonkers! And I love the glow from the mouth. Excellent work! 

Such a beautiful job. Man. Everything about this is so clean and smooth, it feels machine precision. 

100% agree with the others, that chip damage is ace! 

You nailed the weathered effect! 

Nice color choices. I agree with the previous note, work on pushing the contrast with the shadow areas and it will makes this even better! 

Agreed on the OSL - it really brings the composition together and it masterfully done. 

Absolutely stellar. This is such a clean job, I just stared at it a while trying to find my favorite details. Beautiful.