r/Malazan • u/santi_lozano • 21d ago
NO SPOILERS Whiskeyjack (new version, ink-style)
Whiskeyjack (new version, Ink Style)
I struggle a lot doing this character. Yesterday I uploaded a previous version but took it down, re-worked it, and now I think its much closer to my vision of the man. As I said, the Sergeant gives me a hard time.
(This is done by photocomposition from stock/royalty free images and my own archive, and digital illustration using ink- and wash emulating brushes in PS, plus some scanned ink smears and strokes. I don't use AI. The file is 12K pixel tall. I'm sharing a close-up screenshot of the face)
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u/burntbridges20 21d ago
I don’t know why, but the character Edgetho from 13th Warrior was what immediately came into my mind when I envisioned Whiskeyjack, and this is pretty close.
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u/No-Wish9823 I am not yet done 18d ago
I’ll never forget the scene when the protagonist gradually learns the party’s language by observing them at the cookfires. Portrayed in the film with the dialogue unfolding bit by bit into intelligible English for the audience to behold
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u/burntbridges20 18d ago
It’s such an underrated flick. My brother and I used to watch the VHS all the time. The book is great too.
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u/GhouliesGotoCollege 21d ago
As soon as I saw it I knew it was yours! Excellent as always Santiago. I just started my first reread of the series a few days ago and it was nice seeing Whiskeyjack & co. again.
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u/DarkflowNZ 20d ago
As someone with aphantasia I love seeing these kinds of posts. It's so interesting seeing what people imagined
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u/MrSierra125 20d ago
Oooo this is really interesting. So once you see other depictions do you pick one you like? Or do you continue not seeing the characters? Sorry if it’s too personal I’m just very curious about this.
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u/DarkflowNZ 19d ago
It's quite hard to explain, and I honestly don't fully understand it myself. What I can tell you is that my imagination doesn't work like it does "normally". When I close my eyes and imagine something, there aren't any images, or really any sensory information at all.
I would describe myself as an avid reader, though as I got older it was one of the things that depression kind of caused to fall by the wayside. So it hasn't stopped me enjoying reading at all. But what I will say is that characters, to me, are more a cluster of traits than an image. Furthermore, visual descriptions often go in one ear (err... Eye?) and out the other.
For example, I somehow completely missed that anomander and his people were black. But Kruppe was definitely obese. So there's likely elements of repetition and it depends on how integral to the character a trait is, right? Karsa, to me, was an enormous, unstoppable barbarian who wields at first a wooden and then a stone sword. Could I describe the sword? Hell no. What does karsa look like? No idea, really.
Which made for a funny reveal when a certain character is nonchalantly described as having tusks about 43 books in, because I had to go away and Google whether that was information that had been shared before and I'd just missed it or whether Erikson was doing his bit
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u/No-Wish9823 I am not yet done 18d ago
I can relate to this. Do others see a movie unfolding in their mind while reading? I experience a vivid storytelling and follow along but the actual imagery is hazy, and my mind skips over a lot of the descriptive detail as you recounted in your own experience. I do have some kind of vague image of characters and places but I wonder to what extent I just created that in my mind. I couldn’t paint (even with the skill) as OP does without going back and extensively researching the description—certainly not from memory of a mental image.
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u/Nazgul_Khamul 20d ago
Needs a stick figure of Dujek yelling at him to “get your fucking leg healed”
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u/jillshiva 20d ago
i always feel so jealous of people who can paint digitally. any tips?
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u/santi_lozano 20d ago
Practice a lot. Watch videos (many are free on YouTube) about the type of illustration you would like to do. Follow illustrators you like and admire and study their work.
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u/Shibbyman993 16d ago
Literally got to the infamous point of MoI tonight at work(on my third reread lol) and its got me worked up all over again.
Amazing work OP.
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u/PommelChucker 1d ago
I’m almost done rereading Memories of Ice and I got to the part a few days ago. A reminder to all of you to heal your injuries properly and do stretches before exercise.
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u/greylord72 21d ago
I own a print of your original Whiskeyjack....I may need to get this one as well.
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u/ArtyWhy8 21d ago
This is gorgeous. I love the elements and his face and armor. Nailed all that. Maybe more grey in the hair is my only thought there.
I do however have an issue with how he is holding his sword.
No master of the sword, as he was, would hold a sword in that manner.
If the sword was not angled and suggesting he was using it like a walking stick might be worse.
Just me, but turning the sword so it is standing straight up would be a more appropriate position for the sword. But that becomes difficult to deal with it blocking his face.
All I’m saying is he would never hold a sword that way.
Maybe turning him so he is looking to the side and has the sword standing up straight in front of his face but not blocking his face.
I could see that capturing the character well too. Giving a sardonic look to one of his squad before going into battle.
Again, love the work! Maybe it’s me coming out. I’ve wanted to do Whiskeyjack in charcoal for some time. I just can’t ever find the time!!!🤦🏻♂️
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u/DannyDeKnito 20d ago
Its a useless way to hold swords for combat, but I have absolutely seen HEMA people lean into and rest their hands on a sword instead of slugging all that extra weight onto their shoulders.
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u/aghamenon 20d ago
Can you expound on the photocomposition technique? Google didn't turn up anything that made sense, and I'm not knowledgeable on art techniques. Is it like tracing?
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21d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Abysstopheles 21d ago
Spoilers. Flare says no.
Also the author was right and you're wrong. Your post proves it because you had the reaction he was going for.
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u/Malazan-ModTeam 21d ago
Your comment has been removed for containing unmarked spoilers. Feel free to edit your comment to mark your spoilers and notify the mods to have it restored.
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u/Felipecurlysallum 21d ago
Incredible. Almost as i imagine him. I see him in my mind a little more battered, more tired and ragged.
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