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January 14
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:iconcollettejellis:
Smaug Jan 2013

I have drawn many sketches of Smaug, but could never quite get his design to correspond with the image in my head. “The Hobbit” has always been an important book to me and was my favourite story as a child.
However, having seen the first Hobbit film, I felt the need to re-draw Smaug - as I imagine him, before the next movie comes out :)
I enjoyed trying to depict the contrast between the cold winter background and the clashing heat of the dragon :3

- Depicting the moment Smaug finds the secret door leading into his hall and destroys it.

Medium: Photoshop
Listening To: 'Radioactive' - Imagine Dragons
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Daily Deviation

Given 2013-01-30
Smaug by *thebrassowl ( Featured by ^Lyricanna )
:iconrachellefryatt:
I love the length to this piece- long dimensions always make for really interesting compositions. I really like how chunky he is design wise, especially in the chest and shoulders area; He'd need massive muscles to be able to lift his bulk and I think you did well with that design aspect. The way the scales go along his spine really help the eye flow around the image too, which is great.

I know you're going to hate me for this, but I really think the tail is a massive disruption of flow. It would have to be massively long in order to curve around several times to end up in front of his head, and the top part above the moon is a little confusing as to where it's coming from. I'd imagine that if he was in the middle of breathing fire he'd be quite stiff and tense, and quite grounded, with his concentration focused on projecting the fire at his target. Therefore I'd imagine the rest of his body wouldn't be doing anything that might throw off his aim.

Removal of the tail above the moon would give him some really nice space too and help open the piece up a bit more.

I also think the tail really takes away from the lovely detail on his face. Another minor point is I think his face could do with more values and tones- I know there's a huge light source coming from his mouth, so there wouldn't be any crazy shadows, but I think some really bright highlights (nearly white) in certain places would really make it pop. Just my two cents!

All in all though, you know how much I love this piece. The contrast of the really dark rocks and trees work so well with how vibrant he is, and like I said earlier I love how you handled the gems/gold on his chest. I love how you did the fire too- it almost looks liquid or like molten lava, which is a brilliant effect. You can also really tell you've got to grips with digital art, the blending on everything is really nice, as are the textures on his scales (I expect nothing less from you in that area :P) Brilliant work my friend, well done :D
What do you think?
The Artist thought this was FAIR
33 out of 33 deviants thought this was fair.

:iconscourgeous:
The drawing and coloring work are very well done. It's bright, the shading is in the right places, it almost looks real, catching of the eye.
Could do some work on the anatomy of the dragon, thickness of the neck is closer to its head in this photo, and my own opinion is that is is too thick, and should be thinner, getting wider near the chest, but maybe it's just me.
Overall it's a fantastic piece of art, and I love the style, it's just the neck area that put me off. Well done, you did an extremely good job here.
What do you think?
The Artist thought this was FAIR
16 out of 20 deviants thought this was fair.

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:iconeyltwo:
~Eyltwo May 18, 2013  Hobbyist Photographer
Amazing
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:iconhellfiredemonchild:
Mood: Joy ~hellfiredemonchild May 5, 2013  Student Artist
looks epic!
:devil:
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:iconwolfsjal:
Yay, Smaug. :3

Great lighting in this one.
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:iconjaguargal:
~JaguarGal Feb 8, 2013  Student General Artist
I love the radiance of his scales! It seems as though he is an embodiment of fire itself. Lovely composition and color quality! :heart:

Congrats on the DD, too! Well deserved :)
Reply
:iconneverdying:
*neverdying Feb 3, 2013  Professional Digital Artist
Your amazing work have been featured at :iconalightindarkness: [link] :)
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:iconcollettejellis:
~ColletteJEllis Feb 3, 2013  Professional General Artist
You have put me next to some amazing artists! ^^' I'm flattered!
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:iconneverdying:
*neverdying Feb 3, 2013  Professional Digital Artist
You deserve it! You're welcome :)
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:iconswirlyeyeshypnotize:
~SwirlyEyesHypnotize Feb 2, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
Awesome! 8D
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:iconplaugh:
Yeah Dragons! :bounce:
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:icontgiba:
Mood: Love ~TGIBA Jan 31, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
Beautiful color- And the details!!! :faint:
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