This one is very mellow. I like it alot. It looks like you used a 3d prog to make it. Your shading is perfect and that hand could not be better if photographed. Excellent work again.

I do use 3d programs ( lightwave, z brush, poser, bryce etc) and use pose quite often when I paint for reference when needed… I used to try to do straight renders with ‘postwork’ hair and clothing, but it was far too limiting in that you could only use what –others- created rather than what you had in your head. It’s gotten rather pointless lately though, as the anatomy just doesn’t translate for painting the way I'd like it to either. Or rather, when I paint what I 'see' I tend to bring along all that is screwed up when using poly's for a reference.. which is the fault of the artist, rather than the program

One of the things that made me unhappy with 'Lucid Dreams' was that I had a 3d reference in front of me ( heh, the joy of 2 monitors) and mucked up the body as a result. The shoulders are off a bit, as is the left knee. When I just 'eyeball' the reference, I tend to do alot better ( like her neck and the entire Knight Errant image *photo ref*) but if I pay too much attention to it, then it goes to hell in a hand basket.

Sonoma was a bit of a blend of both. Her hand however was the direct result of seeing gordian's work on his image 'Fallen Angel' ([link]) Not -nearly- as yummy as what he's got going on there..but Im hoping to get better at it. The hands in Lucid sucked large. While I have no qualms about using whatever gets the job done to get an image out of my head, the primary goal for me would be to not -need- a reference.. any reference...God that would rock *sigh* But until then.. photos, friends and poly's will need to do I suppose.

As for the 'mellow'.. Yay! Im having a hell of a time swinging that one. Over-saturation is a big issue of mine.. It's almost an instinctive fear of using the lighter shades.. Why? who knows. I just work here. *g* I tend to keep at it though. Bound to hit sooner or later methinks.

Ah, I understand. Thats a pretty smart way of doing it. I am impressed!