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Post by dishan.25 on Sept 11, 2012 22:18:28 GMT
Currently I have a sword I'd love someone to critique. Whether it be guard size, blade, grip, etc. Balrog's Bane Dimensions: I'm still working on. 30'' blade, 7'' grip I modelled the guard off of the Balrog's horns from LOTR, the pommel is modelled off the tail of Draco from Dragonheart. Basically I imagine that the sword was forged after the slaying of a Balrog, with the guard and tail carved from its own horns. Inspiration: Conan, Father's Sword Ka D'argo's Sword/Gun (Don't know where that's from, go watch FARSCAPE!!!) I just guessed the dimensions. An interesting piece that would be great to have functional. When I finalize my other designs, I'll post them.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Sept 12, 2012 14:19:26 GMT
Hey, You've got some nice designs, and kudos for Farscape reference Professional critique-- The guard on the Balrog sword would be a tad big and clunky if you made it in metal. However, you say carving it from horn; that's not a bad idea at all, and since this isn't likely to see any risk of being actually fought with it's a perfectly viable idea if you can find horn slabs big enough, or fake it some way. Assuming you ever render this in steel, of course! The Farscape sword isn't bad either; I have to admit I don't really remember what it looked like, but otherwise it looks nice. You'll want to watch weight again with the asymmetrical design you've got going on and the hole in the base of the blade is a bit of a concern, as that's going to create a bit of a weak spot. If the blade is fairly thick in that area (like 1/4"), then it might not be an issue. Most experienced smiths should be able to do it, I think... I also glimpse a fuller on the full-length drawing; I would go with that (looks like you erased it) to help with potential weight issues, as it looks like your edge bevel is very narrow. Anyway, these show that you have promise; I definitely like how you did the grip on the D'Argo sword, for example, and you've got a nice grasp of symmetry. Technically, the main thing I would do is work on perhaps shading the blades and grips to show how the bevels lay. Here are some examples of what I mean. These drawings are by Peter Johnsson (to give full credit), but they're not a bad standard to shoot for! Note, for example, how the shadows fall-- the light source is consistently coming from roughly the upper left of the object depicted. This isn't a rule, you can have the shadows on whatever side, but keep it consistent throughout the same piece you're drawing-- don't have them on the right on the grip and then on the left on the blade, for example. There are 'hard lines' along the definite edges and bevels of the sword; that is, the edges and bevels are defined by a direct line, but there is also cross-hatched shadowing, for example, along the insides of the fullers and along the top edge of the bevels. The Munich and the Earl (the first two swords) have gently S-shaped guards; you can see this by how they're shaded as well. The tip of the left quillion is shaded, but the tip of the right quillion is bright; the right quillion is shaded by the grip. You can also see the face of the right quillion tip, but the face of the left quillion is turned down because of the shape of the guard. That long disquisition all to tell you maybe work a little on your shading to give your swords a little more form! No worries... you've got the shape down well, it's making that shape pop that really gives the drawings life!
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Post by dishan.25 on Sept 12, 2012 22:25:51 GMT
Thanks for the critiques. The Balrog sword certainly needs to be slimmed down. I'll see what I can do there. Dargo's sword (technically called a Qualta blade) is actually a sword/gun (he transforms it into one, off screen of course). I've figured that the centre of the blade would measure around 1" thick at least (which can't be functional, though he says it's perfectly balanced...somehow). My drawing was as accurate as I could get to the prop piece, but I do have my own versions. Shading is my weakest skill when it comes to sketching. But I'll work on it, especially if I'm going to have one of these swords custom made.
Dargo Lives! (don't understand? watch FARSCAPE!)
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Post by Elheru Aran on Sept 13, 2012 15:38:15 GMT
The Balrog sword is fine, I like the blade... my main concern is that the guard might end up being a bit thick in breadth. It's a fine width and so is the sword!
I watched Farscape a few years ago (actually closer to six, I guess) when it was showing on Sci-Fi channel building up to the final movie. Good stuff, and I remember the Qualta blade. The 'perfect balance' might be more for D'Argo rather than humans, given that he's a lot stronger, hence the size.
You did a great version man, no worries about your skills. Just keep practicing!
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Post by dishan.25 on Oct 23, 2012 22:18:24 GMT
A few more designs. My own LOTR elven swords. Banak is my favourite so far. Attachments:
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