"Raijo Hiromitsu" by LZ Draegeth

You know, I had the same idea of a samurai portrait with the samurai's sword running along his face, but things didn't go too well and I haven't worked on it for quite a while now. Now this portrait here gives me a few ideas how to finish it... I think you did a very nice job on the face, with good shading (and nice hamon on the blade). His face strikes me as Asian, though the most 'typical' Asian faces have an almost flat nosebridge between the eyes (nosebridge... does that make sense?), and the fold in the eyelids is hardly visible, like the way you drew his right eye. But ah, that's enough nitpicking! It's good to see another samurai around, thanks for letting me know. I'll make sure to check back now and then to see if he's gotten some more companions!

LZ Draegeth replies: "I knew you would appreciate the hamon; so many depicted in art have a gunomi edge - a zigzag. Hmm. You know, I actually drew the bridge of his nose very flat and then elevated it, because rather than looking more asian he somehow looked like he'd gotten hit in the face with a board. Oh well; it's all right for his face to be a *little* atypical, as long as it is still recognizeably Japanese.Companions are definitely on the way -- thanks for checking!"

OK. I'm here. I've been so discustingly busy that I haven't even pick up a pencil to draw for two weeks.

I don't know how to critique. He looks like a man. If you wanted him to be more so, maybe the lips could be thinner. Most guys have thinner lips. To me his eyes aren't quite Asian enough but I don't know why though this is your world so it's probably just right.

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LZ Draegeth replies: "My world, ha, he's Japanese! Thanks for your comments. No intention on changing Mitsu's somewhat full lips, but if his eyes aren't Asian enough that's a problem. I'll take a look at some reference faces..."

Love the eyes!!! And the 'sword'!
Great job you did with the hairs and the nose!! Love it!! ^^

LZ Draegeth replies: "Hey, thanks for stopping by my gallery!"

Woah, incredible job, i love your shading it is flawless an dthe background is good too, instead of white space, keep up the great work

LZ Draegeth replies: ""White space is the enemy"...my new drawing philosophy. There comes a point in every portrait artist's life where she realizes that backgrounds are important, and that's where I am just now. (Sigh) Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!"

Aha! Perfect...Really perfect...Really really perfect...Really really really perfect...Rea- *stops herself before getting to the yelling stage* i think you get the point! =) nice job

LZ Draegeth replies: "Thank you. Really thank you. Really really...no, I am taking this too far. "

Must...Hear...More...Of...Stoy...

LZ Draegeth replies: "Heh, well, it may be a while before *this* story's published, since I had a hand in it. My husband's the prolific author, I'm the lazy one."

Oooo... I LIKE him. But then, I have a thing for samurai. Actually, I think it's kind of neat that his face is not a very typically Asian one. I think this one actually marks a bit more of the realism people credit you with rather than the idealist you label yourself as.

LZ Draegeth replies: "Heh, thank you, although I'm afraid I *am* very idealist about the whole notion of samurai, including my depiction of Mitsu here. Realistically, they were terrible, aristocratic asses...but I prefer to think of them as incredibly hot, buff asian guys with swords and cool outfits. "

I really like the realism in your art because it makes your character pop out from the background. You are very talented. Keep on doing what your doing!!!

A beautiful young man, and may I say, you are one of few I have seen here on Elfwood who draws the oriental/Japanese eyes so well. I love this portrait! And from what I have read your story about him could interest me too.... Wish you all the inspiration! ;-)

Nice job! You really did well on the close up with the proportioning and detail. The lighting is great.