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GH-MoNGo — Battle of Nettlebranch Hill

Published: 2008-10-01 15:31:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 5915; Favourites: 105; Downloads: 0
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Description First off I have to thank *ScottPurdy for giving me a lot of pointers about how to approach this painting. It was definitely a challenge for me.

When I went to the VCU Graphics Lab to have the original drawing scanned, the manager really liked it and told me that he wanted to see it when it was finished. When I showed it to him today, he said it was "awesome". He's a big fantasy fan himself.

For the original concept I wanted to really emphasize the contrast between the orcs and the gnolls (which is why the orcs are all clean-shaven). I was also aiming to make the whole scene bloody and brutal, but without muddying the composition. It was difficult to gauge the values on the spatters since Naphthamide Maroon (PR171) and Perylene Maroon (PR179) have such significant drying shifts (they dry a lot lighter than they appear when wet).

Ink, watercolour, casein on Twinrocker 200 lb. CP Watercolour Paper.
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Comments: 195

GH-MoNGo In reply to ??? [2008-10-04 04:25:47 +0000 UTC]

Seriously!

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stuntedsanity In reply to ??? [2008-10-03 19:03:21 +0000 UTC]

Excellent work - I suspect a little more motion here and there (blood spray etc) would have looked great but it's still a really great piece of fantasy artwork.

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GH-MoNGo In reply to stuntedsanity [2008-10-04 04:26:13 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch!

I see your point, but I thought any more blood flying around would muddy the composition.

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stuntedsanity In reply to GH-MoNGo [2008-10-05 17:27:12 +0000 UTC]

It's always a risk - though a brighter red might help and you really would only need a few carefully placed spots of spray.

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WarthogDemon In reply to ??? [2008-10-03 18:32:49 +0000 UTC]

This is the kind of thing I wish was in history textbooks.

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GH-MoNGo In reply to WarthogDemon [2008-10-04 04:25:33 +0000 UTC]

Same here!

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Teracles In reply to ??? [2008-10-03 15:11:36 +0000 UTC]

Amazing painting, great characterization and great action combined!

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GH-MoNGo In reply to Teracles [2008-10-04 04:25:23 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch, glad you like it!

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ScottPurdy [2008-10-03 13:27:28 +0000 UTC]

Excellent work Darrenn! I wasn't expecting you to get this done so quickly! The lines really do help your work a lot I reckon, it breaks the elements up into more readable/solid forms.
Cheers for the nod, although it's not necessary, anytime mister

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GH-MoNGo In reply to ScottPurdy [2008-10-03 13:28:52 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch, man!

To be honest, I was hoping I could get it finished quicker.

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ScottPurdy In reply to GH-MoNGo [2008-10-03 13:40:30 +0000 UTC]

Slacker

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GH-MoNGo In reply to ScottPurdy [2008-10-03 13:41:15 +0000 UTC]

I promise the next one will go a lot quicker!

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ScottPurdy In reply to GH-MoNGo [2008-10-03 13:54:25 +0000 UTC]

Stop talking! Paint, paint, paint!!!

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Valtsu In reply to ??? [2008-10-03 06:42:51 +0000 UTC]

pretty damn nice! all the light & shadows look great and the backround looks nice too. If I have to give critique I'd say the image looks a bit too static even though there's loads of stuff going on

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GH-MoNGo In reply to Valtsu [2008-10-03 12:52:53 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

Yeah I'm still trying to loosen my figures up. Thanks for your thoughts!

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SiteLine6 In reply to ??? [2008-10-03 05:27:26 +0000 UTC]

Nice control of value on this one..
Your certainly gaining great skill with the brushes!
Nice complexity to the comp

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GH-MoNGo In reply to SiteLine6 [2008-10-03 05:28:32 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch man!

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SiteLine6 In reply to GH-MoNGo [2008-10-03 20:12:48 +0000 UTC]

well deserved.. your really starting to gain ground ..
I'd still like to see a little more depth to your shadows, but that's just me and personal taste.

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three-planes [2008-10-03 02:45:22 +0000 UTC]

10 Gold on the Gnolls!

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GH-MoNGo In reply to three-planes [2008-10-03 02:46:40 +0000 UTC]

I'll make sure to get that down for you!

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CapnFlynn In reply to ??? [2008-10-02 22:07:58 +0000 UTC]

I really dig the muted color scheme on this; it works really well.

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GH-MoNGo In reply to CapnFlynn [2008-10-02 23:09:58 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch!

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Stegoceras [2008-10-02 19:49:05 +0000 UTC]

Need I say that it is awesome? Seems many people have beaten me to that fact already.
Anyways great work as always.

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GH-MoNGo In reply to Stegoceras [2008-10-02 21:28:58 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch!

Your opinions are always welcome, even if others have already shared their views and they happen to share the same ones as you.

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InpuUpUaut [2008-10-02 18:46:42 +0000 UTC]

You did a great work! I love it! ^_^

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GH-MoNGo In reply to InpuUpUaut [2008-10-02 21:05:10 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch!

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InpuUpUaut In reply to GH-MoNGo [2008-10-02 23:26:23 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure!! ^_^

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petrovi4 In reply to ??? [2008-10-02 14:31:22 +0000 UTC]

great work indeed! the poses are dynamic, the picture and amount of work is epic. that's great. considering it's a traditional art you have my full respect here. that's the way of a jedi. kudos!

but let me grumble a little, will you? the only thing that bothers me here is composition i guess (i'm far from being a pro at that and i don't know what educational goals you had while painting, so don't take it too serious). first of, if you desaturate your picture you will find out that there's one plane and that's kinda boring, 'cos you have characters that a bit farther and a bit nearer, but they all have a same amount of contrast and detail, and that's flatterns overall image. and the second is - the centre of composition seems to be this bloody sword sticking out of orc's back and, well, i'm not sure i'ts the most interesting part of the picture. i mean, bloody hell, you succeded in so many great expressions on that brutal mugs, you have a plenty of great action going on, but my eyes are stuck on almost empty part of picture, 'cos it's red and that's the point where two diagonals collide.

anyway, the quality is on par with hammersnow, and that's the one i was impressed, so it looks like you leveled up and no accident here. congrats, man! keep 'em coming.

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GH-MoNGo In reply to petrovi4 [2008-10-02 14:36:10 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot man!

Yeah, I admit I have a tendency to de-saturate my figures. It's something I have to work on. I tried to put a bit more emphasis on the gnoll with the spear coming out of his back.

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BruBearBrown In reply to ??? [2008-10-02 12:24:35 +0000 UTC]

Hey!!! Great job!! You've created a great sense of action in this!! *Ahem* I'm a bit of a fan when it comes to goryness so this is an instant fave for me!! Nice work!!

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GH-MoNGo In reply to BruBearBrown [2008-10-02 13:05:16 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch, glad you like it!

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Yayster [2008-10-02 12:14:15 +0000 UTC]

Nice action piece, I love that there is so much going on and a lot to look at. The muted colour scheme also works well in conveying that it's a bloody, brutal battle.

I'll try and offer some crit as you have asked for it - I think maybe there could be a little more contrast in the background and shading. Also, the sword sticking through the guy's back sits a little awkwardly with the wolfman holding the sword at the back - it looks like it's going into his hand, if you know what I mean. Hope that helps But they are really small things and overall I think the picture is awesome!!

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GH-MoNGo In reply to Yayster [2008-10-02 13:05:44 +0000 UTC]

I see what you mean, thanks for pointing it out!

Glad you like it!

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CharityBecker [2008-10-02 06:51:16 +0000 UTC]

Amazing! Putting so many characters into one scene is so tough, and I think you've handled it brilliantly. I've already seen an improvement in your art just in the time I've been watching you. I really see big things for you in the future!

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GH-MoNGo In reply to CharityBecker [2008-10-02 13:05:53 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch!

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Zesuri [2008-10-02 06:26:52 +0000 UTC]

Nice action piece. I can only imagine all the work that went into this..

I feel that you handled the painting of the blood especially well.

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GH-MoNGo In reply to Zesuri [2008-10-02 13:05:05 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch!

It took about two weeks of painting to finish the whole thing.

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Doomsday-Device In reply to ??? [2008-10-02 06:05:44 +0000 UTC]

This looks good, but is it really a "painting" when you're filling in inked outlines?

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GH-MoNGo In reply to Doomsday-Device [2008-10-02 13:04:46 +0000 UTC]

There's more paint on the paper than ink.

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DizzyHellfire [2008-10-02 04:06:06 +0000 UTC]

hmm somehow I dont think I should join this battle....either way I am really amazed at your artwork. mine is like something a 7 year old would draw for the fridge compared to you're work!!

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GH-MoNGo In reply to DizzyHellfire [2008-10-02 04:15:18 +0000 UTC]

Yeah you'd be torn to pieces.

Aww, thanks!

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DizzyHellfire In reply to GH-MoNGo [2008-10-02 04:44:17 +0000 UTC]

torn to pieces? wow ...what is this war about?

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GH-MoNGo In reply to DizzyHellfire [2008-10-02 04:52:05 +0000 UTC]

The orcs called the gnolls smelly, and the gnolls called the orcs stupid. That's one way to start a war.

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DizzyHellfire In reply to GH-MoNGo [2008-10-02 04:54:21 +0000 UTC]

wow that is like... the heroes calling Dr. cube a pimple faced plastic surgeon. you just don't do that... ok I'll stop.. I am probably scaring you with my kaiju big battel love.

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javguerre In reply to ??? [2008-10-02 02:16:26 +0000 UTC]

dude, that is pretty brutal

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GH-MoNGo In reply to javguerre [2008-10-02 02:19:04 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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artfreakguy In reply to ??? [2008-10-02 02:13:14 +0000 UTC]

Really like the tones and lights on this one man! Great piece

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GH-MoNGo In reply to artfreakguy [2008-10-02 02:19:11 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch, man!

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rjonesdesign In reply to ??? [2008-10-02 01:34:03 +0000 UTC]

Very nice, great details in the skin especially, and I think you got the contrast right.

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GH-MoNGo In reply to rjonesdesign [2008-10-02 01:35:08 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch, man!

Getting the skin right was one of the harder parts, glad I got it down well.

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