"The Queen Commands her Court" by Brian Keith Cooke

I like the picture and where can I read the rest of the story?You'll have to ask Jim for more of the story...he wrote it

(Now I'm on a roll.) Okay, I'm picking on the background again. I'm looking at the thumbnail and so much of the drawing is a lighter value. Again, you've got the figure pinned against a close, wall-like structure. I'd daresay that some dramatic lighting pulling the eye in towards the Queen would do wonders. Perhaps a darker value of stone? Darker stone would certainly emphasize the lighter glass windows, and then you'd have the light pooling around the figure. Something to keep in mind for the future, I guess. The queen looks like she's getting ready to kick some butt, and the people in the foreground is a nice touch. Interesting armor design.

Brian Keith Cooke replies: "Of course the background is lighter. It's called sheer cowardice, and fear of strong shading. My shading is so pathetic, especially on backgrounds, that I usually wuss out on it. I'm still trying to get past that *sigh* You're right, though, dramatic lighting would help this pic a lot...wish I could do that..."

I've been trying to capture some dramatic lighting in my pieces as well, and I find it helps to approach the drawing from the beginning with that in mind. Ususlly when I get an idea in my head I will try different lighting than what first presents itself. Then when I start drawing I will keep that light in mind. I wouldn't say it's easy - definitely not - but the results can be very nice. Another thing I keep in mind is something I learned from comic books about contrasts. If you have a light figure, keep the background dark, and vice versa. Don't put something dark on top of something dark (or light on top of light) because it will be more difficult to distiguish, visually. This is extremely easy to see with black and white media, but it applies to color values as well. Don't let yourself get down about it. All artists are chickens. I'm sure you'll get past this if you keep drawing and experimenting.

Brian Keith Cooke replies: "I usually do start with something dramatic in mind, then wuss out on it as I go along...afraid of the contrasts, I guess....I'm trying to get past that, but it's slow going...thanks for the input and help, though "

This drawing is very still.... I like how you made the lady look strong and ready to go and do anything... very good with the shading... i love her lips and eyes...she may need a little more muscles in her legs... to make her look strong and bold.... but i like what you have done with this picture!!!!Well, she's wearing armor, so more muscles in her legs would only have made them look bigger around..I wussed out on the background shading, so the pic suffered a bit there, but I think the rest of it is ok. Thanks.

Excellent characterizations hereA few technical problems, but it looks much better than my first attempt

This picture makes me think of Joan of Arc. All your pictures have so much detail in them; I'm impressed by your willingness to produce complete pictures, and good ones at that. They take so long. I think her head might be a bit too big for the rest of her body, considering that her body's probably smaller than the armour shows. But what do I know? I'm just being nit-picky 'cause it's so good that I can.Sometimes I draw the armor a bit tight on bodies (I usually start with the naked form, and add clothes from there), and that's probably why it looks that way. I'm slowly learning to allow for thickness in clothing and armor.

Yeah you tell 'em. She's very commanding. Definitely all eyes on her. (grin) wonder how she is in battle. (grr)According to the history on which this is based (created by a friend of mine), she's pretty darn good in battle.

WOW!
That´s very nice.


Use the force.Thank you, and I will.

WootI prefer Narf! That probably says a lot about my daily state of mind, doesn't it?

Now this is an awesome drawing. The Lady Queen is beautifully drawn with excellent shading and the proportion of the entire drawing is nice. Even the fellows up front are skillfully drawn. Definately a winner!