Sammessiah revisited - art

[amberdreams]

A while ago I tried a Sammessiah portrait, all digitally painted. I've revisited it and tried to improve it a bit. It's funny, I thought it was a lot better until I saw it small, and now I'm not sure. Anyhow, concrit is very welcome.
Teaser

Full pic

This was the previous version

I've added some more shading, a little fine detail and overlaid it with a black & white texture (original source unknown but snaffled from an insmallpackages post).

Comments

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

I really like the additional shading you've used, it adds wonderful depth and texture. It's a fab portrait. As you asked for concrit, I've looked it with that in mind. There is one small thing I'd suggest.

The shading between the brows is perfect. You've captured a true Sam expression. I think a smidge more shading above the brow area to add some soft lines would bring out the slight frown a touch more. Jared has a very expressive forehead, and it's quite rare for his brow to be smooth.

It's absolutely not necessary because it's a beautiful piece as it stands. I'm totally in love with his eyebrows, they're so detailed! The eyes are absolutely gorgeous, as is his mouth. Very kissable! Your Sammessiah is yummy.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thank you! You are right about Sammy's brow, it's one of Jared's unique acting tools. I wondered whether leaving it kind of smooth makes this look more like Sammessiah than Sam? IDK.

I was really chuffed how the mouth came out...

[reggie11.livejournal.com]

You could be right about the brow and Samessiah. Many of the pics from when Sam was soulless showed his expression to be quite different and far fewer frowny lines. Even my icon shows a smooth brow. Good call!

Those lips are awesome. They're so juicy looking, it makes a girl want to endlessly suck on that bottom lip. Delish!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Mmm sucking Sammy's lip sounds like a pleasant pastime... now you've got me staring at that yummy icon of yours!

[galwithglasses.livejournal.com]

The color is so much richer now. I like the added red tones like reflected hellfire. I love, love, love the detail in his eyebrows. I liked them in the original too. The new version also made the neck and chin on the left more distinct from each other and added depth. Nice work, especially on the mouth.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thanks, it is amazing how much of that just came from overlaying that texture!

[marciaelena.livejournal.com]

That's gorgeous!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Cheers me dear!

[chomaisky.livejournal.com]

You love drawing Sam, don't you ;)))

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I might...

[chomaisky.livejournal.com]

Sam's so much harder to get right, at least for me. Dean/Jensen's got a pretty face, big round eyes and full lips. Sam/Jared's subtle all over. He's got foxy eyes, but you can't tilt his eyes too much or they'll look like alien eyes. When Sam's concentrated/worried/tired, his lips are closed tight, and it's hard to get the curve right. And his hair... god, though I love his hair to death, it's a bitch to draw, especially with pencils...
And also the psychological side of Sam which the show hasn't given us recently makes it even harder to draw his expressions without reference.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I find any likeness challenging but Jensen more so than Jared, because Jensen has such generically handsome features. Interesting point about Sam though - I'd agree there. A reference is required for now!Sam in particular.

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

Really beautiful, makes me want to run my fingers through his hair!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I don't think Sammessiah would allow anyone (except Dean) to take liberties with his luscious locks...

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

Hee hee, you could be right!

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

I always find Sammy harder to draw than Dean, not that any of my attempts at the boys have come into this league. I think you've captured him well, the only thing I'd say is his forehead/brow is a little too smooth but I kind of see how if it weren't Sam so much as Sammy The Boy King then having his forehead free of expression manages to *show* that :)

I LOVE his eyes, they are PERFECT!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

heh, I just find drawing actual likenesses hard full stop, but Sam easier than Dean due to Jared's more distinctive features. Yep, if this were straight Sam, I think he'd be much more furrowed!

Edition 3,078

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User lesson_in_love referenced to your post from Edition 3,078 (http://spnnewsletter.livejournal.com/854830.html) saying: [...] at Fanart Sammessiah revisited [...]

[saltandburnboys.livejournal.com]

I think they're both awesome, but the most recent one is my fav. The extra shading adds a little more atmosphere, and makes the pic a little more intense. To me, anyway. :-)

Stunning art.

Thanks for sharing, hon.

xx

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind comment. I was surprised how bland the earlier one looked after I made these changes!

[saltandburnboys.livejournal.com]

Lol, no, the original is totally NOT bland at all, it's still amazing. I just think the most recent one has just a little more. They're still both fantastic, hon. :-)

xx

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Heh ta very much, you are a sweetie.