I've been working on this picture.. and I like it so far, but I've two problems. 1) Seems unreal... besides the obvious fact a dwarf is drinking beer in a pseudo-medeival enviornment, but lets forget that. :Grins; 2) It seems incomplete.. any suggestions? Anzan

I do admire the scene setup, some lord reclining with a drink, look promising. Here are some observations I made: - None of the items on the table seem to have a shadow nor does the dwarf. The shadows I do see are blocking a clear view of the dwarf. -I dont see text on the scroll, if intended this way, where are the items used to write on it? - Id say that the scepter looks a bit poor. They were used by royalty, usually richly set with rubies and diamonds. You could try to get that backwall more sharp, now it gives a wrong impression of focal blur. Its to close to your subject to be that blurry. - In those days they had NO glass, but used tin to drink beer and wine from. Again, royalty would have such an item richly set with gems. - The only thing I can imagine that could be transparent in those days would be Chinese silk, but that was probably first imported in the 15th century when Marc OPolo discovered the far east. So, any transparency would be out of place. I hope you can value my observations. Maxx :-)

• None of the items on the table seem to have a shadow nor does the dwarf. The shadows I do see are blocking a clear view of the dwarf. The lighting has been a bit of an issue... But I see what you mean, it's hard to make it look like the inside of an inn. :grins: -I dont see text on the scroll, if intended this way, where are the items used to write on it? Hadn't really thought about that.. good point. - Id say that the scepter looks a bit poor. They were used by royalty, usually richly set with rubies and diamonds. It's supposed to be a mace :Grins: This is a more traditional fantasy pic.... But I may be able to find something better. You could try to get that backwall more sharp, now it gives a wrong impression of focal blur. Its to close to your subject to be that blurry. I've noticed that too.... I'm using the Inner Castle Construction kit for the background and thats the texture that comes natural, I've been working on a better one but I've had scant success.. making a realisitic looking stone wall that tiles well is hard .. for me at any rate. :Grins: "- In those days they had NO glass, but used tin to drink beer and wine from. Again, royalty would have such an item richly set with gems." I think changing the stein to something else would be of little trouble.. but, I'm trying to create an image of a adventurer setting back after a long day.. so probably no jewels. But if that was my goal, yes.. great advice. "- The only thing I can imagine that could be transparent in those days would be Chinese silk, but that was probably first imported in the 15th century when Marc OPolo discovered the far east. So, any transparency would be out of place." As a fantasy world goes I have no idea what their position on glass would be :grins: but I like the idea of a metal stein better... I just used the beer glass in Free Stuff with little modification. Thank you very much for your feedback, however.. it is much appreciated. Anzan

First off looks really good. My sugestion would be lighting. I know its goning to be darker inside but more light than this. Since Poser doesn't do reflected light you can fake it. There should be ome light bounccing off that wall behind the dwarf. So put a light facing his back and use spot lights to light him from the front to give it that stark contrast. Maybe some yellow or orange colored light to simulate canlde or lantern light. Then again maybe I'm just crazy. I hope this helps

Youre welcome. Oh, look what Ive found in the deep dungeons of my PC, it tiles seamlessly. With a bit of changes here and there it might be just what you needed... Happy painting!

Did I mention you're a tiny god, Maxx? :grins: As for the lighting.. I worked on it for the last hour or so... this is what I came up with... I'll try what you suggested though.. I need to learn how to control the lights more than the haphazzard way I've been dealing with them and this will be a good oppertunity. Thanks a lot! :grins:

Attached Link: http://www.awakemm.com/poserarcana/tutorials/lighting.html

Well, god is a bit too much honor, even being a tiny one. But thanks for the compliment. I added a link to a tutorial on lightning. Dont forget to download the ZIPs on the first tutorial, some default light settings I find quite usable...

ok here are my observasions 1. mustashe & beard problems, the texture doesn't cover the whole 'stashe & the ends of the beard could be done a little better. I'm guessing you are using mike and the beard morphs so maybe spawn a prop for the beard and map that separately. 2. does he even have eyebrows? 3. the scaling of the head looks a little off to me, maybe too wide? 4. texture on the helmet could be made to match the breastplate? Wood texture for the table? 5. 2nd image has ghost handle on the mug.

The reflection on the scroll is very nice. But what is still missing (IMHO) is shadows. Do you have "cast shadows" turned on, on your lights? In a fantasy style Inn I would expect very hard shadows. (from the fireplace or candles or whatever) I think it would add a lot to the scene. Usually I have cast shadows activated but shadows at .3 In these case I'd try with the default of 1 for shadows and see what happens. (Btw any self-respecting dwarf would use an Axe instead of a Mace ;-))

He's a dwarven CLERIC :Grins: He can't use an axe (though normally I'd agree!) Actually.. yeah.. I had shadows on... I can't seem to get any to show up though! LOL I played with it for ages... different lighting sets, differnt placement... shadows on, off, etc :Grins: the only one that wanted to show up is hte one in the back. But I'm going to try the advice I was offered about lighting tomorrow..... And add the rock walls. :grins: As for the texture.. yeah.. I know. :grins: I do the touch ups in post production.. though at some point I do need to just make the textures better. :grins: let's hope tomorrow it looks better...