Divergent paintings! The noon-end is nigh!

I was feeling unhappy with my first attempt at the Cashel painting, I felt like the elements were separating themselves. I tried to be a little bit more free with the second attempt but I'm failing at colors it seems. I thought I liked the second try, but after working on it and opening up the first. I'm at a loss of which I like. I understand the first one is a bit further along but I'm stuck on which I want to put my energy into...

Flesh/Muscle Study

Ah, new study from a photograph. I was really dissatisfied with the initial stages and then I started working into it a bit more with layer "glazes" and smaller brushes to get some more interesting brush strokes going on with a unified value transition. Also practically erotica.

Quick post

Kinda sharing the computer with my sister who has lost internet access so I have to be quick about this. I was planning on creating more comps related to different pictures I like but computer-space is limited. I'm fairly happy with the way things look with what I have right now though. I'm just sort of getting involved with value and color.

Reference Photos

I was able to get my classmate and friend Shane to model for reference pictures. Its really fortunate that I have a big friend like him. The character for the next cover project calls for an even bigger build, but indication of muscle definition is a huge plus. I tried a few photos with just the room lighting because I wanted try to get something similar to outdoor light first. The later pictures were done with lamps; I definitely like the controlled lighting better but I'd have to tweak the setting to allow such moody lighting. Maybe they will be fighting in the shade or something. I forgot to get references for Garric, the second character, he ought to be slumped down next to the standing character, Cashel. I don't really think it'll be much of a problem though, I think any reference will work fine even with it not sharing the same lighting, the way I'll paint it will probably be more indicative than a focal point.

New Thumbs

Trying to spawn some new thumbnails for the next cover, but I'm feeling fairly uninspired by these. I really think I'd like to do one of the older ones. I checked out the Lord of the Isles book from the library and I've begun rereading. I love this book! Such a great setting and mysticism. Theres a lot of good character description for Nonnus, a character in the book that I hadn't really focused on while thinking about creating covers. But he's such an intense character, I think it'd be fun trying to illustrate him. I just can't pin down a comp for him though...