Softer muscle definition

[noble oriole]

Hi! I'm looking for advice on how to achieve a softer muscle definition than my current work, shown below. I find that my musculature always has very stark, defined jumps between recesses and high points, and I'd like to achieve something a little more realistic looking.

[lethal crater]

So a big thing with this is to not define the individual muscles so early

When you have your earlier layers, think about the overall basic shape instead

Only once you start really moving up in value do you want to start picking out the smaller topography

Otherwise you get these heavily "islanded" muscles

[noble oriole]

OK, so you mean, work on the ball of the shoulder, the cylinder of the upper arm, etc. first? I get you, but I'm having a hard time thinking of how that would go, especially with such heavily defined muscles like on this model.

Any chance you know of a good video demonstrating this? I tend to learn much quicker visually.

[lethal crater]

Just consider that on the more lit portions, you won't have as dark shadows overall really

Even with the heavier definition

I would recommend looking back at some of Erik Swinson's streams

He talks about it when he's painting the Spira dwarf

[noble oriole]

Gotcha, yeah. I'll rework the arms to bring up the shadows. And I'll take a look through his streams for the one you're talking about.

Thanks, Nan!