Rite of Bloodlet: Illustration Process part 4

The 3rd work in progress image for the Rite of Bloodlet illustration

Time, I think, for the latest update in the ongoing saga of illustration explanations. OK, so since the last stage a lot has happened.

Firstly, I’ve adjusted the perspective in the picture by moving the arena walls further back from Gin to add more depth to the picture. The crowd has been loosely sketched in and coloured and a runaway horse has been added in the background along with an upturned chariot in the foreground. One of the soldiers has temporarily disappeared and other loose details have been added around the image. The whole thing now consists of 18 layers and will soon have more.

The sketch layer I demonstrated on the last layer has now been deleted as it is no longer relevant. The image has changed so much that overlaying it now simply makes things less clear. The soldier who has disappeared will be replaced in a new position later on, probably lay dead upon the floor instead of stood awkwardly in the process of falling like he was before. I didn’t feel that the previous pose was clear enough, and even someone who’d read the story would probably not understand what was happening in the picture, thus the change.

Gin himself remains unfinished and those of you with keener eyes may notice that his hands need finishing and his proportions likely need some correction. He also has an arrow buried in his shoulder that currently lacks flights. Still,  all in good time…