Fire belly WIP pics

Started painting this guy today and I'm pretty happy with him so far.




I want to put some cool tattoos on him, but I'm not sure what. Ideas?
maybe something like this on his sword arm and back.

Started painting the sword.

looking good, particularly the yellow lightsource effects and the squigglies on the blade.

I really like it! I'd recommend (if you want a recommendation, that is) to put some shadowing effects on the bottom of his arm, his arm pit, and behind his head; it'd help to really make the yellow lightsource stand out dramatically. But, honestly, this looks great otherwise Keep it up!

Thanks guys, the shadow is a good idea, Ive never done that but i may try it.

Started working on a tattoo, would love any constructive criticism

Looks good. Maybe a couple fo washes of the skin tone to make it more tattoo less warpaint.

Could we get a closer view of the lower back? I'm absolutely loving the tattoo, that's freakin' amazing freehand work there. Are those mountains along his backside? I really don't think I can critique this at all lol that'll be my critique!

Probably the best painted firebelly I've seen to date! 

However (very small criticism) I'm not completely sold on the yellow light effect on the arm/face, orange/red/pink seems to work well.

It is a most beautiful firebelly, I especially like your tribal markings that you have painted on.

I must agree on the yellow lighting though, it looks like a very saturated yellow color, whereas light from something like that would be much less saturated and blend with the tones of the flesh more (if that makes any sense). However I very much like the coloration of the actual fire and smoke, best I have seen so far if I say so myself!

Thanks for all the praise and sugestions guys!

RTO, I also felt like the tattoo looked a little too painted on to his skin. I'm going to try a wash on it, bit I'm so nervous! I don't want to ruin it.

Sazel, thanks. I'll post a new pic of a close up of the tattoo after I work on it a little more. It is mountains. I'm glad you realized that! The idea was to have a fire dragon coming out of the mountains and on to an ocean. Like a metaphor for the fire belly himself.

Scott and slander, I completely agree the light is too yellow. This is my first attempt at forced lighting. I'm not sure if it should match the color of the light source or if it should just look like an extreme highlight. I'm going to look for some reference pictures.

Sazel, thanks. I'll post a new pic of a close up of the tattoo after I work on it a little more. It is mountains. I'm glad you realized that! The idea was to have a fire dragon coming out of the mountains and on to an ocean. Like a metaphor for the fire belly himself.

I totally approve of that tattoo idea. Well done! I look forward to the finishing touches

Tattoo loooks good can we have a close up

that seems to be one amazing tattoo... can't wait for close up pictures.

Wow! That looks vary yakuza. Tanks for sharing.

Amazing!

Thanks for the Comments everyone. So I think its done. Worked on the forced lighting, added some shadows and worked out some detail and a wash on the tattoo.





And the detail shots of the tattoo

Darn good, man, darn good. That definintely looks more like a tattoo than warpaint. That needs to go into the Stronghold Gallery, IMO.

Hell yeah!

Excellent!