Orc Portrait Series

[zookeeper]

The only thing which looks a little bit odd is the blade: the metal seems somehow flat. I'd guess it's not the lighting/shading as such, but more like the fact that the texture of the metal is visible yet there isn't any details going along the direction of the blade. Maybe you'd want to add a little bit more texturing as illustrated in the attached ugly hack, add a groove to near the spine of the blade or change the cross-section of the blade to a pentagon instead of a triangle.

[LordBob]

Here's a modified grunt #6.
Based on Jet's fine description of orcish armory, I added recognizable chainmail patches here an there.
The sword now has some kind of a ridge, not sure if I can get it any better without reference.
I've also given the shape of the blade a try, but couldn't achieve a satisfying result. So it'll just have to stay this way.

[zookeeper]

The blade looks perfectly good to me now.

[LordBob]

Good then. Unless anything else is brought up, I say commit him.

Preliminary shading for #7.

[DUHH]

I think it looks awesome, but I'm not sure what to make of the spiked arm-bands. They just look... Like something out of a 80's cartoon. Might get better with proper shading, though.

[LordBob]

Duly noted.

Here's a work in progress; main features that are left to do include the face and the overall dark tones

[artisticdude]

Actually, I rather like the spikes. I'm not quite sure about having both swords sheathed on the same side of the body, though... it seems like it would be awkward to draw the second one (presuming he's right handed).

[Thrawn]

I think the sword placement is reminiscent of how samurai positioned them; though they were on the same side of the body, on was at a different angle, to allay the problem you mentioned. (useful reference photo)

However, unless Lord Bob sees a need to change it, I don't think it's a major point

[LordBob]

Finished grunt #7

[thespaceinvader]

The face could do with more definition between the beard and the chin, i think - it looks like it's all the same chunk of material right now. Otherise, looking good =)

[LordBob]

Mmh, you're right I had completely missed that. Will do a revision soon.

In the meantime, preliminary for grunt #8. I'm not chappy with the shadows yet, I think they lack depth and the overall lighting is faulty :/

[thespaceinvader]

But the Lochaber axe is awesome, and that is all that matters

Which reminds me, I really must design a unit that uses one of those.

[xbriannova]

Are his gauntlets by any chance taken from a fallen Heavy Infantry/Shock Infantry/Iron Mauler? I believe that's what you're trying to portray in this guy... I like how you're giving the Orcs their personality

[LordBob]

xbriannova : they might not specifically from the iron mauler, but that's the idea : looting human steel plate

Work in progress : the lighting has improved vastly and I think the atmosphere is pretty much there , but it's still rough.

Edit : also posting the revised grunt #7 with (hopefully) improved lower lip

[Monroid]

In my opinion the blue eyes on the 7th orc makes it look... kinda weird

But that's just me, you've done a great job with all of them; and will there me more orcish units to use those artworks?