I really like that first one. It looks a bit different from your usual elf-style portraits and it shows a different kind of character/personality too. The strength expressed in those shaded eyes is very impressive.
Well, that would be because he's not an elf
He's a human character and I've had the privilege of spending many, many years getting to know through a variety of role playing adventures. So that being said, I also feel he's my strongest work to date. He is also the most recent, so hopefully that's a good sign of growth too
He does look the best though in a drawing state. I'm hoping everyone shakes out well in color. They're all meant to be part of a grouping of characters inspired through The Lord of the Rings online game to which we've built some rather extensive stories upon. The elven archer I did a little bit back was the first of that grouping and there will be more to come.
If the human though reads the strongest, I will not complain about that since he is a very central character to the plot development. The primary protagonist alongside the elven spear maiden at the bottom. He was also the most fun to draw with all his facial characters and since he's aged, I didn't really feel compelled to care about portraying the sharp, clean features that elves are generally associated with. Though there is one elf up next that I may take a similar approach with since his face is 'lined with the weight of the ages, his expression writ with severity.'
The elven sword 'dude' is actually undergoing a lot of work right now, but mainly on the sword and attire. After designing and re-designing (which has included a massive amount of study on actual swords and what's practical, what's not so forth and so on) so many swords now (the human's went under a few iterations as well) I'm wondering if I should take up a serious study on just drawing the damn things in their own right. My hand cramps with spasms at the thought though...
I'll probably go on a horse drawing binge after this just refresh myself
Anywho.... a little update, still lots of work to go.